Lias Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Hi, I have replaced my old tires with Hankook RA08 tires. I had the original(?) metal braided extenders for all four rear tires but two of them were leaking so were not put back on when the new tires were installed. I now notice that one of the rear inside dualies is leaking and I think it's the extender. But, it could be the tire since this has happened before on this tire. So, I am first going to go back to Discount Tire and have them recheck the tire. It's the only one not holding air and they will need to replace it if there's a problem with the tire (I purchased the extended warranty and got all 6 tires plus warranty for about $850). Which leads to the reason for my post. I have been doing a lot of googling and have read that the braided extenders and extension that are attached to the valve stem can be prone to leak. Then I read that some folks had them for years and they worked fine if installed correctly. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27385710/srt/pa/pging/1/page/2.cfm On another forum there was discussion of Borg and Tire Man valve stem extenders that they really liked and I've read that on another forum as well - about the Tire Man https://forums.goodsamclub.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24520246/print/true.cfm http://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/274/dl1e-brass-dually-valve-dl1e http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~tire-man/kit1.html Also these duallyvalves were recommended: duallyvalve.com 800 300 2674 http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/info_page/accessories_hd_valve_stems.asp and more conversation here: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/the-valve-stem-extenders-208252.html All I know is that I have 185R14LT tires and that my extenders are at their end of life (if they're original than that's about 20 years?) If I go with valve stem extenders what size and type? Chrome? 7"? If I get braided extenders again where do I get these? Some have referred to getting them at NAPA? http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Tire-Valve-Stem-Extensions/_/R-NTH90329_0344222260 What are folks here using to fill their inner dually at regular gas stations? I don't want to have to visit a truck stop or be home to use my compressor and dual sided chuck. Thanks for any suggestions / advice in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whyverne14 Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 You know I totally forgot about that when I got my new tires. When I paid the guy said, "Oh, I put extenders on there for ya". I said "Thanks, I forgot about that, that was a PITA". My little compressor would take like a half an hour to add a few pounds. I didn't know they were prone to leak! Why would they? Jeez, it isn't that much pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 You know I totally forgot about that when I got my new tires. When I paid the guy said, "Oh, I put extenders on there for ya". I said "Thanks, I forgot about that, that was a PITA". My little compressor would take like a half an hour to add a few pounds. I didn't know they were prone to leak! Why would they? Jeez, it isn't that much pressure. Not all valve-stem extenders are prone to leaking. Some have no air pressure in them when installed. Not until you depress the end of the valve. No pressure, no leak potential. I just bought some 4" extensions that have a simple Shrader-valve extender inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted August 4, 2014 Share Posted August 4, 2014 Get a bottle of kids "bubble mix". Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto your valve extensions. Any leak will be easy to spot. Also works great on LP gas lines and even tires. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob C Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 I carry a 12 volt compressor with me when I travel. It did not have an air chuck that would work on duals so I added one. I have used it on other people's tires and it does take a minute or so to add 10 psi to a tire on a SUV. I use the compressor to top off my air bags every couple of days. I still can't find the leak on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lias Posted August 5, 2014 Author Share Posted August 5, 2014 Not all valve-stem extenders are prone to leaking. Some have no air pressure in them when installed. Not until you depress the end of the valve. No pressure, no leak potential. I just bought some 4" extensions that have a simple Shrader-valve extender inside. Would you mind sharing which 4" extensions you purchased? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted August 5, 2014 Share Posted August 5, 2014 Nothing beats a bolt in metal valve stem they come in various lengths they don't bend or try to run away from you when you try to put air in they don't leak and if you put the wheels on right you can get to both of them without issue. Many inflators come double ended meaning they can get to the valve pulling towards the tire instead of pushing great for duallys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lias Posted August 6, 2014 Author Share Posted August 6, 2014 I still don't know what to get These? http://yourtireshopsupply.com/category/796_830/wheel-size-1920 Is this similar to a bolt in metal valve stem? http://www.alcoa.com/alcoawheels/north_america/en/info_page/accessories_hd_valve_stem_ext.asp I'm not sure what my wheel size is if my tire is 185R14LT and based on all the info I've read am I not supposed to mix rubber with metal stem extensions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Your wheel size is 14". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 The only downside to using a valve like this:- http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Americana/AM20906.html ... is that without some sort of extender you'll find it next to impossible to put the valve caps on the valves facing the 'wrong' way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 Would you mind sharing which 4" extensions you purchased? Thank you. These are the ones I bought. I haven't even tried to install them yet so can't fairly comment on the quality. Any extension is going to put an extra burden on the original valve-stem. Extra length gives extra leverage to break or bend. I'm going to put supports on mine that keep the ends from flopping around. Most of my wheels have high-pressure rubber & metal valves. Not the original all metal valves. The rubber & metal valves are even being used on big-rigs now adays. Seem to be fine. I think rubber valves get bad press when the low-pressure types get installed in high pressure wheels. I know my 3/4 and 1 ton pickups both run 80 PSI in the tires and both have the newer rubber & metal valves. Never had any problems. In regard to the valve extensions. What I wanted and hope I got is the type with the long Schrader-valve depressor inside. Thus they have no air pressure inside of them during normal use. They only get pressurized when you depress the valve-tip on the ends. But since have not looked at them close or installed them yet I don't know. I DO know that any long extension ought to get supported near the end with something to keep it from jiggling around. That is - unless it's flexible. But some of the flexible ones hold air pressure all the time and I don't want that. I wish I could of gotten long, angled, 6" valves when I got the new tires in Michigan. But the tire place did not have them and it would of taken a few days to get them. They do not seem to be a common stock item - especially to fit those oddball 14" Japanese offset dually wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 One more comment about valves. When rubber & metal valves came into high use for heavy truck wheels with pressures 80 PSI and up - there was one type that had a high failure rate and got subject to a recall. I've never seen any of the bad recalled ones - but the valve on top in the photo is the type that failed often. The type on the bottom is what is commonly used now and is what all my trucks and my Toyota have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted August 6, 2014 Share Posted August 6, 2014 The only downside to using a valve like this:- http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Americana/AM20906.html ... is that without some sort of extender you'll find it next to impossible to put the valve caps on the valves facing the 'wrong' way! I had no problem with mine the Toyota hand holds are pretty good size. They do make longer bolt in stems may have to go to a truck shop instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 The only downside to using a valve like this:- http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Americana/AM20906.html ... is that without some sort of extender you'll find it next to impossible to put the valve caps on the valves facing the 'wrong' way! I certainly cannot get my grubby fingers in there to get that cap on and off with dropping it half the time. Not without a 3"-4" extension. Valve in the photo is not made for the correct hole size the Toyota Topy dually wheels use. They call for stems made for 11.3 mm holes (7/16"). Kind of an odd-bal Japanese size common on cars and motorcycles. Not so common with high pressure truck tires.. I suppose some tire shops just jam in valves made for 5/8" holes instead of searching for the correct valves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whyverne14 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I certainly cannot get my grubby fingers in there to get that cap on and off with dropping it half the time. Not without a 3"-4" extension. Valve in the photo is not made for the correct hole size the Toyota Topy dually wheels use. They call for stems made for 11.3 mm holes (7/16"). Kind of an odd-bal Japanese size common on cars and motorcycles. Not so common with high pressure truck tires.. I suppose some tire shops just jam in valves made for 5/8" holes instead of searching for the correct valves. HeeHee. The first thing I bought for my ToyHome was a box of valve caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Right tool for the right job https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/toyota-campers/photos/albums/1613517240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 What tool is that? I can't use that link. Mr. Turtle banned me from that Yahoo group and I cannot "see in." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 I don't know how to post pictures here taken from Yahoo to this site, except by posting a link. Any help??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 OK so how do I do that? The photo has 2 different styles of chucks, straight and angled. The red thing in the middle is called "valve capper" it will reach into a set of duals and remove the valve cap or the valve core. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 No extension needed if you've got all those gadgets. But if you just pull in to most gas stations (around here anyway) they have the simplest of chucks. So, unless you carry your own compressor, .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanman Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I have many I got that didn't work, the two on the right work for me, but I have less clearence than most as I have added the wheel simulators, which cut down on your clearences in the rears. I also use a piece of plastic tubing with a small round wood dowel inside it, to stiffen it, for removal of the front and inner rear valve caps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lias Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 One more comment about valves. When rubber & metal valves came into high use for heavy truck wheels with pressures 80 PSI and up - there was one type that had a high failure rate and got subject to a recall. I've never seen any of the bad recalled ones - but the valve on top in the photo is the type that failed often. The type on the bottom is what is commonly used now and is what all my trucks and my Toyota have. Thank you so much for those pictures. It really helps. I'm going to check mine and then I guess replace the valves (if they aren't these types) with the ones on the tirerack.com site: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=208 I'm assuming I would get one of these that is 2"? 600HP 80 1.27 0.453 or 602HP 80 2.00 0.453 And the 4" valve extenders labeled part #8029vs along with the stem supports. My toy currently has these extenders but one side is leaking. I'm not sure if they are original or the previous owner put them on. They have that attachement to hold the extender down which I hope to reuse with new extenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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