Metal valve stem caps-throw them all away

[Elkins45]

Just in case you haven't experienced the joy of removing a metal valve stem cap that has fused itself to the stem through galvanic corrosion, here's your reminder that you need to replace them with plastic ones. The RAV4 I bought last fall had them on three wheels and all three needed vice grips to remove.

 

[Rand]

dremel is sometimes needed. I've had it where you twist the valve stem in circles and it wont loosen.

 

[The_Jeff]

But we check pressures monthly, right?

 

[Elkins45]

But we check pressures monthly, right?

Only when our TPMS batteries are dead.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Just warm it up a little first. Daughter-in-laws old Accord had them. Right front hadn't been checked in who knows how long and was visually very low. Yup needed pliers on that one. First time she came over I was like and the rest that did come off, her grandfather put to 51psi since that was "sidewall" pressure.

Replaced them all with plastic and pressure to door placard all around. Her comment "the car rides so much better".

 

[billt460]

We get so little rain that my cars never get driven on a wet street. But this is something I've never thought about. I think I'll give them all a dab of anti seize just to be safe.

 

[George7941]

Just in case you haven't experienced the joy of removing a metal valve stem cap that has fused itself to the stem through galvanic corrosion, here's your reminder that you need to replace them with plastic ones. The RAV4 I bought last fall had them on three wheels and all three needed vice grips to remove.

Wierd. I live in the rust belt with heavy use of salt in the winter and I do not ever experience metal caps seizing on. Never been an issue. I maintain five vehicles. The metal caps I use are the thin knurled ones.

 

[4wd]

But we check pressures monthly, right?

Are you saying the dashboard is to blame LoL

 

[4wd]

Looks like I have one vehicle with metal - and I just checked that one when it gave me a crazy pressure (that did go away) -
Qtip and superlube soon …

 

[StarCaller]

The Porsche company in Stuttgart ALWAYS replaced mine with plastic ones / ALWAYS /
No matter for what reason I went there, when I picked up the car, there were plastic caps on the valves /
For normal they didn't even mention it.... /
At this time galvanic corrosion was the last thing I had in mind /

 

[IveBeenRued]

Only when our TPMS batteries are dead.

Fancy you with your RAV4 that has functional TPMS . My 2020, it only warns if tire when it is significantly low; like 6+ PSI low. For my 2020 they opted to not have a display that shows the actual pressures and instead opted for you having to use the app to see your pressures. Problem is, that unless you opt in to selling your vehicle telemetry data to 655+ “trusted third parties”, you can’t use the app. So I check my pressures every other weekend or so.

 

[KGMtech]

Use some Tin Man Anti-Seize paint and you'll never wonder who touched your tire valves.

 

[Cujet]

The aviation style valve caps MS20813-1 are what you seek. Brass, corrosion proof and don't stick. Plus they will absolutely hold back 3000PSI and are rated to 5000PSI.

 

[4wd]

The aviation style valve caps MS20813-1 are what you seek. Brass, corrosion proof and don't stick. Plus they will absolutely hold back 3000PSI and are rated to 5000PSI.

Nice tip - Just got them off eBay - secondary retention !
Let me ask GON if they need to be another color
Thanks …

 

[billt460]

I had a pot metal hose nozzle weld itself to the male end of a hose after leaving it attached for several years. I ended up having to cut it off with a cutoff wheel attached to a air grinder.

 

[4wd]

I had a pot metal hose nozzle weld itself to the male end of a hose after leaving it attached for several years. I ended up having to cut it off with a cutoff wheel attached to an air grinder.

Yep, got some water hoses that did that - now I pay more attention when I buy new … Plastic quick connectors …

 

[The_Jeff]

You can also get galvanic corrosion with the valve core, particularly on TPMS valves.

 

[wings&wheels]

I've used chrome plated brass valve stem caps on all of my vehicles for years and have never had a problem. I typically use the German style and have been known to use a dab of silicone on the threads of my DD's wheels.

 

[f355spider]

My BMW came with these stainless steel caps 25 years ago...never been a problem removing them.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-valve-caps-36121120779

 

[Big E]

I've used chrome plated brass valve stem caps on all of my vehicles for years and have never had a problem. I typically use the German style and have been known to use a dab of silicone on the threads of my DD's wheels.

When we were kids we would steal those fancy chrome ones for our bikes, because they looked cool.