Extended valve stems for DRW (dual rear wheel) rigs.

[deppstein]

Before heading down to camp on Edisto Island in South Carolina and bike around the sea islands (a terrific break from Massachusetts winter), I installed the heavy duty Powerstop KC4717-26 front break kit, along with new tires (ended up staying with the Michelin 225/75 R 16's). While I was at it, I swapped out those braided rear valves for the solid Duallyvalve DL 1 EC chrome kit from Borg Equipment and Supply. I ordered all the parts and worked a deal with my local Ford dealership to do the work. Finished it all off with the Hunter Road Force Dynamic Wheel Balancing. Pleased to report that my Rig (2004 Premier) is CRUISING down the road at 75 as smoothly as one could hope for at 5.25 Tons, and stopping with much more confidence than before. The Duallyvalves are also great--no loss of air during the three week trip. Relative to this particular post (Duallyvalves), I did have to slightly cut back the holes in three of the four places where the duallyvlaves emerged, but that was not a problem. To further insure protection of the valves from the sharp edges of the wheel simulator, I slid a 1 inch piece of plastic tubing around the valve (shimming valve to right thickness with electrical tape). I definitely recommend the Duallyvalves as replacement for those less substantial braided valve extenders.

[Blue~Go]

The Duallyvalves are also great--no loss of air during the three week trip.

Since I only kept the braided extensions for a short time, I didn't even realize they were prone to losing air (but have since read that they are, in addition to your having experienced it). With the extended stems (I have Tireman, which are the same basic idea as the Borg), I've had them on for four years and can count on one hand the number of times I have added any air - and that's counting all seven tires, and might have been a pound or two (and I'm fairly persnickety about tire pressure).

[deppstein]

So as not to confuse anyone...I mistyped the heavy-duty front brake kit in my previous post--the kit Powerstop Kit I installed was the KC4717-36 (not 26).
David

[HoosierB]

Can a Tire Pressure Monitoring System work with a Dually Solid Valve Stem Extension kit (Borg, TireMan...)?

[Blue~Go]

I believe so. I'm basing this on my buddy with the E-450 who had Tireman stems and ran a TPMS system (for a number of years, worked consistently). I can ask him which brand if you'd like to know (not that I think other brands wouldn't work).

[greattrails]

Mine all fit just fine. One of them might have taken a very slight (millimeters) bit of Dremeling on the back lip, I can't remember now if that was me or someone else (been a few years).

On the other hand, when a buddy of mine had them put on (at Discount Tire no less), they apparently were not able to read and follow the directions, and they put the stems on counter to the way instructed, and so the simulators would not go on at all. He took the RV back to Discount Tire and they re-did them all while he watched them (the first time he just assumed they were competent and stayed in the RV, reading). No charge but he did have to take the time to go twice

At least on mine (Tireman brand) they are specified to go a certain way so that the simulators will fit. I have not installed the Borgs so not sure how they describe the process.

When I bought two new front rims a couple of years ago, I put the stems on myself, prior to bringing them to Discount Tire for them to mount the tires. (That way I could just bring the rims/tires in, and then put them on the Chinook later myself.) There was a precise way described to orient the stems in the instructions. It was not at all difficult - I just had to read and follow the instructions.

So I guess it depends: If they were not oriented correctly when installed (which did happen to my buddy at Discount Tire), then I would not be bending them or Dremeling my simulators, if it were me. I'd have them re-do it correctly. On the other hand, I think it's possible to install them correctly and still have to tweak slightly on one or two.

I think you will like them a lot once you get them on correctly. I still get a little thrill every time it's so easy to check my tires.

Hey Blue, I've been using the new stems and they're wonderful. The way it should be. As are the new Michelins I had installed at the same time. Now I just have to get the simulators back on. Well, don't have to but would like to. Don't like the rust I'm seeing on the ends of the wheel lugs. Don't think it was there before.

I'm making an appointment at a local truck tire and repair shop. Not going back to Discount Tire for this. Among the things that happened when I was at DT:

- They tried to pry the wheel simulators off like you would standard wheel covers
- They didn't have a torque wrench small enough to torque the nuts on the valve stems. Need inch pounds - they wanted to install them by feel and I said no so they went out and bought the right torque wrench.
- They forgot the thread locker on the rear stems and when I noticed had to ask them to remount the stems
- A few days after the work was done one tire had lost 20lbs so they had to remount the valve for that tire.

I went with DT because they've been great with my cars and I wanted to use a national chain in case I had trouble on a trip.

All of that being said (sorry for being long winded here) the first thing I'll have the truck shop do is see if reorienting the stems will be enough to get the simulators on. I believe it will be for the front tires. I'm not so sure about the rears. The valve instructions say they you may have to gently bend the stems. Or maybe dremeling would be better. Just wanted to see what others had done. I think the valve stem instructions call for a 3/4" clearance between the stems and the simulators.

[Blue~Go]

Geez, what a headache!

This is why I started removing my simulators - at a bare minimum - before going in (not that I should have to, but...). And lately I've taken to just jacking up the rig myself and taking in one or two wheels/tires at a time in another vehicle. Yeah, that's a pain, but SO MUCH less stress! Only my tires and rims are there, and they're not fooling with my whole Chinook. Also keeps my tire gear checked out (jack/breaker bar/etc.).

One thing that you may already have noticed: Once you have the simulators on, you can still turn them (clockwise/counter-clockwise) slightly before tightening them up. So that might help. Tireman did bend one of my rear stems slightly (I think the outer one that makes the 90º bend). Mine are just brass so they are somewhat bendable.

I don't understand needing 3/4" clearance between stems and simulators. I mean, not that 1/32" is comforting, but at a certain point a miss is a good as a mile. If the simulators are moving 1/2" or more something is wrong.

[greattrails]

I agree - 3/4" seems like overkill. I went back and looked the instructions and they recommend 3/4 - 1". I had to order some replacement jam nuts and they just got here so after I get the rust off the lugs I'll give it a go. Thanks Blue.

[markatherton]

Can anyone recommend a tire shop in the San Diego/Southern California area that can install Tireman valve stems in Alcoa wheels? I am reading about a lot of shops that cannot install them but no shops that can install them. I spoke to Tireman himself and he is retired. Mark in San Diego.

[Blue~Go]

This is only a cryptic note in my file that I jotted down while speaking with Tireman a few years ago, when I was considering going to ALCOA wheels (which I have not done - at least not yet). The note simply says, ".453 drill stem hole out to." As I remember it, the valve stem hole needed to be enlarged slightly to accommodate the extended stems. I did at that time contact a local machine shop who indicated this would be nothing unusual. That's as far as it went though, and I'd recommend checking into it yourself before doing anything (because as I said, this was a cryptic phone convo note from years ago).

I also remember his mentioning another brand of aluminum wheels that would already fit the stems, but I forget what it was. I liked the ALCOAS anyway.