Flat hubcaps / valve stem extensions?

[snazzypants]

Hi guys,

I've got myself a set of flat hubcaps but I am worried about losing access to the valve stems. I'm thinking that I can drill a hole in each hubcap and stick in a valve stem extender. Hopefully they won't stick out too much.

Does anyone know where I can get some for cheap? I think the straight ones would be the easiest to deal with. Also, I've done some looking online and some of them say, "Not recommended to be used with rubber valves." Seeing as how I know almost nothing about cars, how do I know if I have rubber valves?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello & welcome to EcoModder,

IF you can hold the end of the valve and wiggle it, it's rubber -- most are. Some cars (my wife's xD for example) can with bolt in metal valves.

I'd just put the covers on, and then remove them when you want to check the air pressure or pump it up.

[Frank Lee]

I don't know why you couldn't use extensions on rubber stems. I've had 'em for years. I think they are worried about bending the stems too far. If the hubcaps cover that much of the stems up it really shouldn't be an issue.

I check pressures far too frequently to be bothered with pulling hubcaps every time.

[snazzypants]

Yes, well, my car has an unfortunate history of losing hubcaps. I've gone through 2 sets already in the past few years =( So I'm going to drill extra holes so I can zip-tie them on - and in that case I have no intention of ever taking them off.

[evolutionmovement]

The rubber stems are just that and you can tell by looking at them. Metal ones look pretty much the same but with a metal sleeve over them. Chances are very good you have the rubber ones as the metal's are extra charge and usually people only use them on alloys. Pretty much any tire place should be able to put in the longer stems for you next time you get tires (or you could have them just swap the stems, but they might charge you for mounting and remounting the tires when all they really have to do is deflate them, compress the sidewall near the stem, swap the stems out, reinflate. Either way, they've got to charge you something). They might tell you not to use the rubber stems as the edge of the hubcaps might cut into them, but I don't know. In my experience, the metal stems are much better at holding air and are reusable, but I don't know if they come in long versions.

[snazzypants]

okay, thanks guys, yes, I have rubber valve stems. So I'm looking at something like this:

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/index...OD&ProdID=1671

I'm guessing they don't recommend using these with rubber valve stems because they might wiggle too much and fly around when you're driving. But, I think I should be okay because the drilled hole in my hubcaps will keep them relatively secure.

Could there be any issues with leakage?

[TestDrive]

Why 2" long????
Any decent auto parts store will have or can get more reasonable length all metal valve extensions.
And they aren't $14 each either.
Metal Valve Extensions: All Tire Supply Company

[evolutionmovement]

Oof, yeah $14 each is expensive! They should be less than 1/2 that. Would the rubber ones leak? They might if they aren't allowed to sit at their natural angle. A lot of times when people have annoying slow leaks in their tires, it's the rubber valve stems (a problem I've never had in 10 years of metal stems on 3 sets of wheels). Should be easy enough to drill a hole in the cover so that the stem isn't bent unnaturally.

[snazzypants]

Originally Posted by TestDrive

Why 2" long????
Any decent auto parts store will have or can get more reasonable length all metal valve extensions.
And they aren't $14 each either.
Metal Valve Extensions: All Tire Supply Company

Apparently, I suck at google searching. But thanks, this is exactly what I was looking for! For whatever reason 2 inch was the shortest I could find (and they did seem a little pricey to me). I think I will go with the 1 1/4 inch because the hubcaps are slightly domed and they'll need to stick out a little to screw off the caps, etc.

Unfortunately that site will only allow you to check out for orders >$25. But I know what to look for now. Thanks again

[Christ]

Originally Posted by evolutionmovement

The rubber stems are just that and you can tell by looking at them. Metal ones look pretty much the same but with a metal sleeve over them. Chances are very good you have the rubber ones as the metal's are extra charge and usually people only use them on alloys. Pretty much any tire place should be able to put in the longer stems for you next time you get tires (or you could have them just swap the stems, but they might charge you for mounting and remounting the tires when all they really have to do is deflate them, compress the sidewall near the stem, swap the stems out, reinflate. Either way, they've got to charge you something). They might tell you not to use the rubber stems as the edge of the hubcaps might cut into them, but I don't know. In my experience, the metal stems are much better at holding air and are reusable, but I don't know if they come in long versions.

The valve stems with a metal sleeve over them are not metal stems. You can find metal stems easily on most split rims, and large trucks in general, and less often on cars and light trucks. They are actually metal, they bolt into the rim, and the only rubber pieces on them are the seals under the nut and above the base of the stem (the part that goes inside the wheel/tire assembly) and the rubber on the valve core itself, which seals the valve stem's air passage. You may also find rubber under the caps, in some cases.

Most tire places will refer you to buying "high pressure" stems, often used with tires which denote a sidewall max inflation higher than 60PSI, or have a load range of "E" or higher. They will often tell you that these are "metal stems" that you are looking for, though they still don't bolt in. These are in fact metal, but surrounded with a rubber gasket, which pulls through and seats the same way a traditional rubber stem seats. They can still leak if offset to an extreme angle, and they will still rot due to environmental stresses.

All-metal, Bolt-in style valve stems are more economical, in that they never need to be replaced, and the seals can be made from very thin and small pieces of recycled or repurposed rubber, or they can even be sealed with normal form-a-gasket type sealants, like Silicone caulk and RTV silicones.