Metal Valve Stem Caps Stuck
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 546
Likes: 10
From: Cumberland, RI U.S.A.
2005 C230WZ SS Capri Blue/Ash
Metal Valve Stem Caps Stuck
Hey everyone,
So on my final long distance (+150 miles each way) trip prior to removing my OEM C230 SS wheels, which have my winter tires on them, I decided to check the tire pressure on them, since the car would be loaded with 5 people. I go to take out the first oem metal valve stem cap, and nothing. No movement, no budging. Hmmm... Next tire, same thing, and the same for the remaining tires. No luck removing them. Since then, I put my summer tires on, and I've had absolutely no luck removing the caps.
Guess the New England winter caused them to seize up. I've tried spraying WD-40 on them, and letting them sit, but no luck. I even tried with 2 pairs of vice grips, one on the cap, and one below the cap right above the rubber valve stem. And nothing.
Has anyone else experienced this? My new rims have the same caps, and what I did with them, was put a little bit of white lithium grease around the threads, which should hopefully work. But any ideas how I can get these caps off? I don't really feel like paying to have the tires unmounted just to get new valve stems ($20 x 4 tires).
Thanks a bunch.
Cintoman
So on my final long distance (+150 miles each way) trip prior to removing my OEM C230 SS wheels, which have my winter tires on them, I decided to check the tire pressure on them, since the car would be loaded with 5 people. I go to take out the first oem metal valve stem cap, and nothing. No movement, no budging. Hmmm... Next tire, same thing, and the same for the remaining tires. No luck removing them. Since then, I put my summer tires on, and I've had absolutely no luck removing the caps.
Guess the New England winter caused them to seize up. I've tried spraying WD-40 on them, and letting them sit, but no luck. I even tried with 2 pairs of vice grips, one on the cap, and one below the cap right above the rubber valve stem. And nothing.
Has anyone else experienced this? My new rims have the same caps, and what I did with them, was put a little bit of white lithium grease around the threads, which should hopefully work. But any ideas how I can get these caps off? I don't really feel like paying to have the tires unmounted just to get new valve stems ($20 x 4 tires).
Thanks a bunch.
Cintoman
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, California
2002 C230 Coupe
Typically, the metal body of a tire valve stem is just a sleeve. The actual valve stem is rubber. So using a vice grip on the metal body isn't going to do much unless you crush the metal sleeve against the rubber stem inside. And if you do that, the valve stem is wasted.
My advice: If you're resorting to vice grips, you're probably better off just taking it to a tire installation place and have them deal with it. They'll probably going to need to cut it off and replace the valve stem.
BTW, instead of white lithium grease, you might consider using Antiseize on the threads. Antiseize is graphite and will coat the threads. Or better yet, since you drive in snowy/wintery conditions, is to just use the rubber/plastic valve stems and caps.
My advice: If you're resorting to vice grips, you're probably better off just taking it to a tire installation place and have them deal with it. They'll probably going to need to cut it off and replace the valve stem.
BTW, instead of white lithium grease, you might consider using Antiseize on the threads. Antiseize is graphite and will coat the threads. Or better yet, since you drive in snowy/wintery conditions, is to just use the rubber/plastic valve stems and caps.
