My 2006 4Runner has metal valve stems on chrome wheels...its the air pressure sensor type. The metal caps on the valve stems were frozen on....I needed pliers to remove them. In the process I wiped the threads off of 1 stem & completely broke the top off another one. The caps are sturdier than the metal (aluminum) valve stems... The dealer wanted $200 each to repair them (the stems themselves are $150 each) then labor, rebalance each tire, calibrate sensors etc.... The dealer said he has seen many of these caps seize on the stems & after the repair (lucky they were still under warranty) replaced the caps with plastic ones. IF YOU HAVE METAL CAPS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU REMOVE THEM BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!
WARNING re. metal valve stems
- Thread starter JPNNH
- Start date
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CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
In salty Florida air, I have to wipe the threads with some silicone paste, I use spark-plug boot grease. It seems to work well, without it I get exactly what you're talking about, corrosion!
I use very little and like the super-thick grease as I don't want to get grease and dirt in the valve stem itself.
Aftermarket steel, chromed caps etc can exacerbate the problem.
:cheers:
I use very little and like the super-thick grease as I don't want to get grease and dirt in the valve stem itself. Aftermarket steel, chromed caps etc can exacerbate the problem.
:cheers:
Last edited:
Spider5
New member
icantsee
Banned
I didn't have such thing happen to me on my 4Runner...
however...it did happen to my 2007 Camry.
I brought it in the Dealer last week & they needed a plier to remove the cap. That thread on that valve stem is cross-thread. They told me since those are not OEM wheels, they can't do anything about it.
My dad had those aftermarket wheels installed at the Dealer he bought the car. So I told him to take it back to his Dealership.
In the mean time...I have a black plastic cap on that wheel. And it works, it come off easily.
Thank you for bringing up this Thread...my other (3) caps seem to be rubbing & squeaking when I take them off. Perhaps I should put black caps on those as well.
however...it did happen to my 2007 Camry.
I brought it in the Dealer last week & they needed a plier to remove the cap. That thread on that valve stem is cross-thread. They told me since those are not OEM wheels, they can't do anything about it.
My dad had those aftermarket wheels installed at the Dealer he bought the car. So I told him to take it back to his Dealership.
In the mean time...I have a black plastic cap on that wheel. And it works, it come off easily.
Thank you for bringing up this Thread...my other (3) caps seem to be rubbing & squeaking when I take them off. Perhaps I should put black caps on those as well.
