Metal Valve Stem Question

mlawler506 · 10-01-2021, 04:18 PM

I plan to get 5 Goodyear Endurance ST 225 75 R15 tires for my 2019 Rockwood 2604 WS. Discount Tire does not have metal valve stems. Since I have a Tireminder TPMS system, I wanted to get metal valve stems.

The question is what are the considerations in trying to order the valve stems? Or will any old valve stem do? Thanks in advance.

ThatGuyNamedLee · 10-01-2021, 04:28 PM

I have metal valve stems on my TV and they’ve corroded from road salt (and I regularly rinse after snowfall). Might not be towing your trailer in road salt - or even live near those conditions, but after dealing with it, I won’t be a proponent of metal stems for anything. It takes only one time of topping off the air pressure only to have the stem fail you in the service station parking lot, not holding air, to be done with them.

mmartin_tdc · 10-01-2021, 04:52 PM

I recently installed these on my wheels so I could mount my tire minder caps.

https://www.amazon.com/CK-Auto-Piece...d_bap_d_rp_1_t

I do not live in the land of salt on the road in winter, so that was not an issue for me.

Just make sure that the stem length that is on the outside of the rim, is long enough to allow your TPMS cap to install without rubbing on anything.

Oaklevel · 10-01-2021, 05:35 PM

All real tire stores that I deal with carry and install metal valve stems. Metal valve stems are worth the effort. I have them on most of my heavier trailers and have never in 35 years of owning trailers had an issue.

**Flybob** · 10-01-2021, 05:41 PM

There are several size metal stems. The size you get can be impacted by the wheel as some will not allow the installation of external TPMS sensors. Might post a photo of your wheel ( close up of existing stem area).

Lumberton1956 · 10-02-2021, 01:32 PM

I also would install only metal. I had 4 Goodyear Endurance installed in the spring. I did have several issues from installation but after several attempts they are all good with no problems.

CGK · 10-02-2021, 01:56 PM

We bought our 5 Goodyear Endurance tires from Goodyear, and they were able to mount the tires with metal valve stems. The TST cap sensors we have do not require these, but I prefer them over the rubber valve stems (and no problems with the metal to date). TST flow-through sensors do require metal valve stems. Not sure about your Tireminder sensors - probably the best place to start is by identifying their requirements and take it from there.

Trawlerphil · 10-02-2021, 03:53 PM

What's important is the valve stem rating matches the load rating on the tire. Put a load range F tire on a rim that had a load range B tire on it without changing the stem and wait for the big bang.

TitanMike · 10-02-2021, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trawlerphil

What's important is the valve stem rating matches the load rating on the tire. Put a load range F tire on a rim that had a load range B tire on it without changing the stem and wait for the big bang.

Bigger problem might be the wheel itself. It may only be rated fol a much lower load rated tire than an "F".

There are also "HP" type stems that have a different design of rubber head and as well as a (usually) brass stem. Rated for up 100 psi (TR600 HP reg length or TR801HP long).

Benefit of "snap in" stem with rating of higher pressure. No tightening required.

lewisra · 10-02-2021, 05:53 PM

When I put new tires on my TT. Discount Tire guy said the appropriately rated valve stem is more than sufficient but he would put on metal if I really wanted them. So for so good, 8k Miles later with TPMS on the non-metal stems.

bob213 · 10-02-2021, 06:01 PM

https://mlbernieco.com/products/grou...n-valve-no-428I
Ordered mine here. Good price and quick delivery. I have Sendel wheels OEM.

SpringerPop · 10-02-2021, 07:20 PM

If your TPMS sensors are external to the tire, acting as stem caps, you're asking for problems if you don't use steel stems.

Even the high-pressure stems on my F-350 had two failures before I replaced everything with steel. No problems since, now going on four years.

Pop

rracer5 · 10-02-2021, 07:41 PM

https://www.autozone.com/tire-repair...43_0?rrec=true

bob213 · 10-02-2021, 08:10 PM

If you have an O'Rielly's near by try this:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...l+17-428&pos=0
These are 1/4" longer than the ones linked above.

retiredintexas · 10-03-2021, 11:21 AM

This summer I picked up new brass stems from a NAPA store in rural southern Missouri. I had one go bad that was installed 2 years previous. I had rubber stems, lost a 50 dollar TPMS when it disintegrated. I expect to replace things now and then, but having the NAPA store or just about any parts store is nice insurance.
Forester 3171 DS dually s are a pain, but still a necessity

MCTroy · 10-04-2021, 08:24 AM

Go with metal valve stems.our TPMS monitors caused 2 tires to lose air because of the weight on rubber stems. We did not like those emergency stops! It also caused a rubbed spot on one rim. Load D tires on our TT and we will always use metal.stems.

**Flybob** · 10-04-2021, 08:42 AM

The literature that is supplied with some External TPMS systems is a little confusing as they say "can be used with standard valve stems", however later on they state" the use of metal valve stems is highly recommended". Also I always have my wheels balanced with the metal stems and TPMS sensor installed.

TitanMike · 10-04-2021, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

The literature that is supplied with some External TPMS systems is a little confusing as they say "can be used with standard valve stems", however later on they state" the use of metal valve stems is highly recommended". Also I always have my wheels balanced with the metal stems and TPMS sensor installed.

That's quite common, to say "can be used" and then say "highly recommended" later.

Rubber stems will work. Metal stems work better.

FWIW, metal stems still use rubber. The seal to the wheel is accomplished with a rubber bushing/grommet. Some view a metal stem as a permanent part of the wheel and don't pay any attention to it when getting new tires.

You "can" just leave the metal stem in place when installing a new tire but it's "highly recommended" that the bushing/grommet be replaced at the same time. With the variety of metal stems in use that often means no suitable piece is available so many just replace the stem with it's new bushing/grommet.

mtpocket · 10-07-2021, 06:14 PM

Metal is the only way to go with TPMS. Over 5 years with no issues. If the tire store cant get them have someone else who is more capable mount them. I would be concerned with a tire store that says they cant get a metal stem unless the wheel design prohibits one. And like someone else said balance them too!

NXR · 10-07-2021, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmartin_tdc

I recently installed these on my wheels so I could mount my tire minder caps.

https://www.amazon.com/CK-Auto-Piece...d_bap_d_rp_1_t

I do not live in the land of salt on the road in winter, so that was not an issue for me.

Just make sure that the stem length that is on the outside of the rim, is long enough to allow your TPMS cap to install without rubbing on anything.

Same ones I had installed on my dolly tires.

Just be aware that those come with two gaskets per stem, one for each size of rim hole. Two, count 'em, two tire shops tried to put one gasket on the inside and one on the outside. They both could not get them to seal.

I finally figured out that the gasket goes on the inside and the metal washer goes on the outside. Then they sealed.

One place was a commercial truck tire shop.

Ray

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