Metal Dust Caps!!!

F

FunkyGBrown

Member
 Kent
Today I learnt a very valuable lesson; to avoid those metal ebay dust caps like the plague.

Unfortunately, it wasn't me that found this out. It was the mobile fitter, who found out after removing the tyre. :headbang:

So I have 4 seized dust caps and 1 wheel with a loose tyre. Any ideas? I've drenched them in WD40 and left that to soak in but I'm not sure how effective that's going to be.
 
You can try pliers to get some leverage.

If the metals aren't the same, on the threads and the caps, they will react. 'Dissimilar metals'

Not sure if a tyre fitter could just cut them off and re fit the valve stems.

If the metals havent bonded, pliers may do the job.
 
I've had molegrips on the step and a socket on the caps, no movement in either direction. :cry:

Would a decent tyre garage just chop the stems and replace? Would just need to source a space saver.
 
I think it could be done yeah, call ahead and explain the problem. You won’t be the only one.

Usually Mr Tyre are pretty good with this sort of thing.
 
I’m very surprised a mobile tyre fitter isn’t able to do it. They must have to replace tyre valves all the time. Looking at YouTube videos, valve stems aren’t that difficult to remove. I’d try another mobile outfit, but explain the problem so they can be prepared. Do you have TPMS fitted, I can’t remember? That might make it more difficult.
 
Zedebee said:
I’m very surprised a mobile tyre fitter isn’t able to do it. They must have to replace tyre valves all the time. Looking at YouTube videos, valve stems aren’t that difficult to remove. I’d try another mobile outfit, but explain the problem so they can be prepared. Do you have TPMS fitted, I can’t remember? That might make it more difficult.
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Hey Ben,

After some Googling it appears they are just standard valves, luckily.

I was quite surprised when he said it's common, but clearly not common enough for this company.. :P I'll try some others, failing that I'll source a space saver from somewhere I think. I have now tried gentle heat and WD40 again and still no joy. :fuelfire:
 
I've got them fitted on my discovery, I gave them a light coating of copper slip.
Not had any issues in 3 years.
 
Do you have a dremel, you could try cutting down the length/side of the dust cap and then see if it will unscrew or peel off, even if you cut into the valve slightly it would be covered with a plastic dust cap.
 
Chippie said:
Do you have a dremel, you could try cutting down the length/side of the dust cap and then see if it will unscrew or peel off, even if you cut into the valve slightly it would be covered with a plastic dust cap.
Click to expand...

THIS!

Metal dust caps tend to be aluminium. The valve is steel. They don't like each other those two metals. There is a posh word for it but can't remember what it is.
 
I had them on mine but then I read somewhere that they would throw your wheels out of balance if they were balanced with plastic caps. Not sure if it was my imagination but when I put the plastic ones back on the ride did seem smoother. So I probably didn't have the metal ones on long enough for them to become stuck.
 
Pondrew said:
Chippie said:
Do you have a dremel, you could try cutting down the length/side of the dust cap and then see if it will unscrew or peel off, even if you cut into the valve slightly it would be covered with a plastic dust cap.
Click to expand...

THIS!

Metal dust caps tend to be aluminium. The valve is steel. They don't like each other those two metals. There is a posh word for it but can't remember what it is.
Click to expand...

I thought that they were brass? But which ever surely if the cap is cut apart it will come off?
 
Indeed. Galvanic corrosion is the correct term (I knew that really). Steel and Aluminium when forced together create an electrical charge, one being the cathode and the other the anode. They then literally weld themselves together.

The word 'galvanise' means 'stimulate by electricity'.

I know.....clever aren't I? :lol:
 
Rushing down to get my metal ones off.
Silver plastic ones ordered off Amazon.

Thanks for the heads up [ref]FunkyGBrown[/ref], 8)
 
I fitted a set to my 1 Series - never again. :headbang:

Luckily 2 pairs of pliers did the job, but the didn't do the rubber valve stems any favours!
 
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