Park with stems at 12o'clock. Penetrating oil.
2017 - Corroded valve stem caps - how to remove them? - SOLVED!
17 Forester. First owner installed metal logo valve stem caps. Unfortunately they are now stuck on the stem. Pliers wont work, afraid to rip off the stem and be stuck. Any ideas how to get these off???
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Thank you. How to get on the inside where its stuck? Figured spraying the front wont get it to where it needs to be.Park with stems at 12o'clock. Penetrating oil.
Had this problem after fitting alloy caps. Had to saw them across the top.
Mine point inward a little. So figured at 12 oclock they would point downward a little.
carefully dremel works good. depends on how stuck they are. with rubber valve stems i just bent them down abit and let the penetrant soak in.
maybe do it a couple times then try with plyers
if that isnt sufficient...
very carefully score across the top and side with a dremel. Go real slow.. use screwdriver should crack off.
maybe do it a couple times then try with plyers
if that isnt sufficient...
very carefully score across the top and side with a dremel. Go real slow.. use screwdriver should crack off.
+1. Park with the stem pointing down, a good shot of penetrating oil and let them sit for a bit to allow the oil to do it's job.Mine point inward a little. So figured at 12 oclock they would point downward a little.
Thanks all, tried wd40 with no luck. They are stuck good.
Will I need tpms as well if I cave and take it to a tire place?
Will I need tpms as well if I cave and take it to a tire place?
The regular WD-40 is not penetrating oil.
Putting a tiny slice with a Dremel/cutoff wheel should relieve enough tension to get them off. Maybe two cuts. One on opposite sides. Not too deep. Wear safety glasses.
Try a real penetrating oil like PB Blaster. Unless you absolutely need to take them off immediately to add air, apply it several times over a few days to really let it work its way into the threads.
Will I need tpms as well
No, if the valve stems get damaged, you'll only need a TPMS rebuild kit, which is mostly a new valve stem that attaches to the TPMS sensor. those should be well under $10 each.
Of course you'll have to pay for having at minimum the tire bead broken to get access to the TPMS, if not the tire totally removed, depending on whether the tire can be pushed in enough.
A smart tire guy will mark the tire to the rim, so it can be installed in the same position, so you don't have to pay for balancing. Unless they needed rebalanced anyways.
My son just had this problem, he tried penetrating oil, double plyers ext. short of ruining the stems and I lent him my Dremel tool with the diamond metal wheel. Told him to make a shallow cut or two like you said and use a thin screw driver to pry it open and that worked, just don't go too deep into the thread but a slim cut into the threads wouldn't matter. Never use metal valve caps that are a dissimilar metal they will corrode.Putting a tiny slice with a Dremel/cutoff wheel should relieve enough tension to get them off. Maybe two cuts. One on opposite sides. Not too deep. Wear safety glasses.
Thanks all! Tried the pb blaster just now. Maybe it needs to seep in overnight? Gonna try the dermal tomorrow. Hopefully don't leave them flat and need a tow 😂
Fortunately, most modern TPMS modules (including these Schrader brand units) have replaceable Schrader valve stems. So if you ruin them, it will cost you around $7 plus labor to replace.
As others have said, a little Dremel tool work with a cut-off disk will enable you to pry them loose. You will be working way above the valve core, so there's almost no chance that you will compromise things too greatly. But when you are done, rotate each to the point where they point downwards and blow out any debris as that will find it's way to the core seal and create leaks next time you attempt to add air.
As others have said, a little Dremel tool work with a cut-off disk will enable you to pry them loose. You will be working way above the valve core, so there's almost no chance that you will compromise things too greatly. But when you are done, rotate each to the point where they point downwards and blow out any debris as that will find it's way to the core seal and create leaks next time you attempt to add air.
Had the same issue when I used a set of metal caps on a different vehicle. Pliers got three of them off but the fourth was stuck and required a dremel. Black plastic caps from now on...LOLNever use metal valve caps that are a dissimilar metal they will corrode.
Just to add to what I posted about using the Dremel, it might help to first cut off the tip/end of the cap first.
Thanks all, tried all the suggestions, could not get them off. Brought to Town Fair and they fixed for $26. Appreciate all the help.
Great to hear, but of course have to ask, how did they do it?Thanks all, tried all the suggestions, could not get them off. Brought to Town Fair and they fixed for $26. Appreciate all the help.
WD40 is not a good penetrating oil. I use corrosion X.Thanks all, tried wd40 with no luck. They are stuck good.
Will I need tpms as well if I cave and take it to a tire place?
1 - 20 of 25 Posts
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