I have already walked out twice to see my truck with a flat and both times it was the valve stem. They are the cheap rubber type with a chrome sleeve and cap. The sun weakens the rubber and they crack or the kids step on them climbing in the back of the truck. Does anyone know of some good quality valve stems that will guarantee this won't happen again? Also is there any possible way to replace the valve stem without taking the tire off the rim or breaking the bead? I was told there is a tool out there that lets you replace a valve stem from the outside but I cannot find it.

 

sorry, but if you are under warranty, go visit the Ford house


they had a bad lot of valve stems. The Dealership should replace all of the valve stems for free...never hurts to ask


for the other question, I am pretty certain you have to pull the tire for a stem replacement

 

Yep you gotta pull the tire. I got A nice set a o'rileys for a decent price.

 

Depending on your year and or option package, you may have tire pressure sensors in your tires. I don't know when it was mandated (or if it was) but, be careful that whoever is changing the stem knows you have them (if you do). A lady who works for me had new tires put on her Explorer at a non Ford tire store, they damaged 3 of them. The tire store wasn't happy they had to pay the Ford dealer to replace them. Just FYI.

 

There was a recall of stems from China quite a while back.
Dill Tire Valve Stem Recall (KFSN) -- 30 million tire valve stems are being recalled by the distributor because of cracking
The recalled tire valves were manufactured between August and November of 2006 and were sent to tire shops all over North America.

The only way to check if you have a defective valve is to take the tire off the rim.
The valves in question were made in China by Tech International for an American company called Dill. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating claims of a defect after a Florida man died in a rollover accident being linked to the Dill tire valves.

I lost a tire to a stem failure while pulling a 30' travel trailer at 70mph. Now I have metal stems. TR501 1.5" Standard Tubeless Truck Tire Valve - GEMPLER'S Valve Stems, Tire Repair Supplies, Tires & Supplies - GEMPLER'S

 

These are exactly what I'm looking for. Metal would last considerably longer than rubber. Just need to find them locally or order them. I could also possibly find them at my local truck stop because I believe big rigs use metal valve stems. Thanks.

 

I know sears sells them in the auto centers as i've bought them there a few times...