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Topic: Steeltex Tires & Metal Valve Stems (Read 6 times) previous topic - next topic
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Steeltex Tires & Metal Valve Stems
Yahoo Message Number: 2975
Because this subject is getting a lot of type, Thought I'd add the following: Firestone Steeltex LT tires: Earlier, I wrote: PS. Really recommend you look at NTHSA web site and read the many reports of tread separation, cracks and blowouts on Firestone SteelTex LT tires. These tires are currently original equipment on our Ford E450 cutaway cab RV chassis. You may know that last September, the NTHSA started an investigation of the SteelTex tires. On news article implied the investigation was started because of failures on ambulances carrying patients and sure enough, there are some such failure reports in the many pages I copied.

FYI, I copied nearly 200 pages of reported Firestone Steeltex problems, most of which were tread separations and sidewall blowouts.

Metal Valve Stems: Steve at Lazy Daze advised that he has found a vendor that makes steel valve stems which will fit the smaller hole on the newer ford wheels. I've asked him about the stem to wheel design and the price for shipping 7 of them. Will post it here when I get the reply.

IMHO, there is less margin between the capabilities of some of todays tires and the loads and speeds we run at, than there was just ten years ago. OTOH, there are many, many better tires today than ever have been available - You just have to be able to smoke them out and then maintain them scrupulously.

Greasy side down - always!

Don McG
Steeltex Tires & Metal Valve Stems
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 2977
I was at the LD factory today and one of the questions I asked Tim was about the valve stem issue. He told me that LD has now got the correct metal valve stems for the coach tires on sale out front. I looked and ... there they were. They are 7 for I believe $25. You can buy them plus the braided metal extenders and take it to a tire shop for installation. He also recommends the clamps they have out front (looks like a large oil filter clamp)for attaching the extenders to the wheel. That way you can tighten them and they don't require a hole in the wheel cover. I may have some of the terms wrong but hopefully you get the picture. I plan to buy these and get them installed asap when I pick up my LD in Sept.

Jonna