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Topic: Removing valve stem extenders (Read 571 times) previous topic - next topic
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Removing valve stem extenders
I seem to recall that Chuck the Tireman wrote up a sheet on how to remove  valve stem extenders when replacing a tire. We would love to get a copy of that sheet as new tires are in our immediate future and I do not want our valve stem extenders ruined by someone who has not learned how to remove them without damage..  Thanks.
Ian & Jean, "Silver Fox"
2015 27 MB, Seattle
2015 MB
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #1 –
I assume you want to relay the information to the installer - you of course cannot remove the stems with the tires on the rim. A note - when the installer did our tires recently, he (and I) failed to notice there was a slight bend in the 'straight' stem on the inside dually, made such that it would pass through the middle of the hole of the outside dually. He was very careful, and when we realized the issue, the stem was remounted.

Some dealers may not want to remove the stems, but Americas Tire did so to install new rubber seals.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #2 –
I am on my third set of tires.  Chuck's extenders have been on since day 1, and the extenders have never been removed.  A competent shop will not need to remove them.

Ken F in WY
'08 MB
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #3 –
Like Ken, I have had three tire changes without removing the long valves from the wheels. Obviously, the long valve from the inner dual is the most vulnerable to being snapped off;  the installer does need to take special care, a little extra time, and be willing to not slam the wheel and tire onto and off of the machine, but it can be done.  The rig owner should discuss the special requirements of the job with the shop service writer; if the shop is reluctant or unwilling to take the additional care necessary and make the installer aware of and agreeable to the requirements, I suggest finding a shop that will.

Removing the valves from the wheels can very easily complicate the outcome of a tire change; many tire shops have a high turnover of employees, and these may be unskilled, untrained and/or unsupervised, and have little or no experience with the long valves. Removing the valves to replace the tires obviously requires re-installing the valves, using all the parts,  tightening the valves properly in the wheel, and aligning the valves so they clear the holes in the wheel covers. Wheel covers should be removed by the owner before taking the motorhome to the shop whether the valves are removed or not. If the valves are removed to install the tires, the owner needs to make sure that the valves are reinstalled correctly and are accessible through the wheel covers.

YMMV, as always.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #4 –
"I have had three tire changes without removing the long valves from the wheels."

Me also! Initial installation of the valves by the Tire Man in Ridgecrest, a tire replacement, same man, same place and a 2nd tire replacement at a local America's Tire. The last was without any special instructions outside of informing the Service Writer that I had long stems.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #5 –
I’ll be putting Costco to the test this weekend for my new set of tires. The manager assured me they could handle long stems and even said they were very familiar with the wheel covers. We’ll see! 😉. — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #6 –
Please let us know how the tires from Costco turns out.
Sam
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #7 –
Be very interested in what you find at Costco. Our local Costco tire center in Seattle was willing to sell me the michelin tires (at a
fairly reasonable price) but wanted no part of installing them in a motor home. Where are you located?
Thanks,
Jean
2015 MB
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #8 –
Some years back I bought Michelin, of course, from Costco. They had the rig up on the rack and just started to work when the boss came in and said to get it down, RV's could not be worked on. So they changed the tires in the parking lot.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
Some years back I bought Michelin, of course, from Costco. They had the rig up on the rack and just started to work when the boss came in and said to get it down, RV's could not be worked on. So they changed the tires in the parking lot.
This also happened to me in Simi Valley, CA. It just took a little longer to do but they did fine. They were able to change the tires without removing the long valve stems.
Jerry Galang
Meridian, ID 83646
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
Some years back I bought Michelin, of course, from Costco. They had the rig up on the rack and just started to work when the boss came in and said to get it down, RV's could not be worked on. So they changed the tires in the parking lot.

Changing RV tires while the rig is on the ground is common. Over the last 25 years, we have bought at least five sets of tires, all at either at Costco or Ameria's Tire, and all were done with the LD on the ground, never lifted. Most tire-shop lifts are not rated for the weight of a motorhome.
It would be wonderful to have a lift at home that could safely lift our LD at home, like Mike Coachman, I'm so jealous.
In my next life, I'm getting one.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #11 –
I bought new tires at Costco over the summer.  I learned that policies differ from store to store. 

My local Costco wouldn't do anything with the RV, but they were very happy to install new tires if I brought the wheels in.  I loaded all 6 in the back of my SUV.  In fairness to them, there isn't an obvious place to work on a RV outside of the tire shop.  The parking lot is odd shaped and crowded. 

I had most of the wheels off already for maintenance, and I have HWH levelers that easily raise tires off of the ground, so my situation was a little different than most.

Costco had no problems with the long valve stems. 

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #12 –
I googled "the tireman" and found his recommendations and printed out a copy. I used the "KIT #5-6F for 2006-2014 Ford E-450 sheet. you might want to try that to find his instructions. I was lucky and found a place here in Santee CA. that carries his stems, Wayne Millers Moblie tire service. good luck in your search if you haven't already found a place or his instructions...Chuck is out of business unfortunately.
2014 ?
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #14 –
Quote from: tedeboy  - 
I heard he had passed away.
RIP

Yes, that’s what the previous owner (David) of our Midbath told me. Apparently, David was one of Chuck the Tireman’s last customers when he picked up the MB in July of 2017.  They met at the parking lot of Walmart in Ridgecrest where Chuck sold him the extenders, then escorted him to a local tire shop to do the install before David headed east towards Florida.

Interesting that the website is still active:

Tire-Man: Home Page
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Removing valve stem extenders
Reply #15 –
"Website Design by David Flatman. Last updated 02/09/2015 ."

Chuck's wife, Sue, had mental problems at the end... not sure if she preceded him or not but nothing changed the day he died. I always liked Chuck.  :'(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!