Metal tyre valve STEMS, Yes or No ?

R

Redzedfour

Veteran
 Land of the Prince Bishops
Ditching the Runcraps for the forum favourites Falken 452's on Saturday,but looking about on ebay as is my want and came across these.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Anti-tamper-flat-Metal-Tyre-Valves-alloy-wheels-/310216084742?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item483a51cd06.Has anyone on here had them fitted and what do you think or am i better off sticking to the black standard rubber tyre valves.Would they enhance the look of the alloy or are they just gimmicky.Thanks in advance :thumbsup:
 
I hate the things. My X5 comes with something similar as factory srandard and they are a source of corrosion

Each to their own, but I prefer the shortest standard rubber valves that will fit and allow and airline on and standard black rubber tops. Easy to remove, nobody steals them and they cost nothing.
 
cj10jeeper said:
I hate the things. My X5 comes with something similar as factory srandard and they are a source of corrosion

Each to their own, but I prefer the shortest standard rubber valves that will fit and allow and airline on and standard black rubber tops. Easy to remove, nobody steals them and they cost nothing.
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Thanks for that :thumbsup: ,like the 108's need another source of corrosion :thumbsdown:.The GF will be pleased not spending more money on my beloved Zed.
 
Well, I've had factory metal caps from BMW / Mini now for the last 6 years - never had any corrosion problems and I think they look much better than the black rubber ones. I did have a short term theft problem (both tyre caps AND aerial) but that's central London for you and was long long ago!
 
CR - Are we talking about the same thing? I was referring to valve stems that corrode at the wheel alloy to valve point. You appear to be referring to metal caps?

Never had a problem with caps but they just get nicked
 
I use Richbrook tamper proof crome dust caps. They have been on the car for about 9 months. The rubber ones sprang legs and went walkabout. No problems or corrsion so far.

If you do invest in metal caps make sure you keep them clean, dont over tighten and lubricate the stem tips with a little copper grease to make sure they dont seize up.
 
The set I bought recently had a set of short alloy stems fitted (along with matching non locking dust caps). IMO this is an excellent finishing touch and an Improvement on rubber.
 
I could never understand why manufacturers fit metal valve stems to alloy wheels. Corrosion will follow due to dis-similar metals. I have recently removed a set of Dynamics due to corrosion around the base of the valve stems where the brass valve stem has corroded the alloy.
 
Redzedfour - yep I was def referring to the stems. I think a couple have drifted off into comments related to the caps alone and in so doing contradicted the point I was making.

To further comment (since you too have 108's) then by fitting very short rubber valves only the top 1/4" of the cap protrudes and as such is highly concealed amongst the other 20 bolt holes. You'd also need to consider how the metal stem will sit on (or prutrude out of) the 45 degree chamfered surface??
 
I recently had my 108's replaced and the dealer fitted some stupidly short rubber stems on them - makes them look nicer as cj10jeeper says makes them blend into the other bolts -however makes it very diffcult to add air as the nossel cannot sit neatly on it.
 
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