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Best way to repair rusting valve stems on rear wheels?

T

Tractor virgin

Member
So, another challenge I've come across with becoming a country gent :D I noticed that the valve stems on the rear wheels of my ford 3600 are rusting at the rim. I never had a clue that my tires had water or some mixture in them but now I would like to know what is the best way to hopefully repair it instead of replacing it. I'm sure it's a DIY fix for some but let's say I have some skills but welding isn't one of them :p The stems aren't leaking yet but the hole around it is rusted. Any helpful info will be appreciated, thanks.
 
I saw a tractor rim blow apart once, so I'm not inclined to repair one. There's a lot of energy stored in the compressed air.
 
It is a common practice to fill rear tractor tires with a calcium chloride solution. It adds weight for increased traction and it doesn't freeze under normal conditions. It is very corrosive, but shouldn't cause a rusting problem unless it is leaking somewhere. Most likely the fluid will have to be pumped out and the tire and tube removed from the rim to address the rust issue.
 
As was already noted, any repair of a rim would depend on the overall condition of the rim. I have repaired several rims that were rusted out only at the valve stem. These were in pretty good shape other than right at the stem hole. I cut out the entire hole and the square part of the rim. I found some heavy flat washers that had the right size hole, 1/2" I think, for the valve stem. I fabricated the new stem area out of several washers and welded it all back together. Looks as good as new. If this is going to be a "Trailer Queen" and only go to shows I wouldn't hesitate to try a repair. For a working tractor, a new rim would usually be best. My opinion.

OTJ
 
Well it is not the stem that is rusting it is the valve stem hole in the rim. Your tires have inner tubes in then and very likely to have CACL which is a type of salt which causes rust. I have fixed a good many of those but first removing the tire and tube then I weld a washer on to the hole area. If real bad I weld a cover over that hole and drill a new hole. Now days I use winter grade wiper fluid in tires so as not o have the rust problem
 
REMOVE TIRE AND TUBE from rim, take a chunk of steel similar thickness as the rim and weld it over the rusted area where the valve stem was. Then find a spot on the rim that isn't rusted and drip a new 1/2" hole.
 
youve been told how to fix it, but the big thing is to dismount the tire and see what shape the rim is in before you make too many plans some can be fixed up just fine others are so thin a new rim is in order, never ever weld on an inflated wheel and tire assembly
 
(quoted from post at 16:11:51 04/04/16) So, another challenge I've come across with becoming a country gent :D I noticed that the valve stems on the rear wheels of my ford 3600 are rusting at the rim. I never had a clue that my tires had water or some mixture in them but now I would like to know what is the best way to hopefully repair it instead of replacing it. I'm sure it's a DIY fix for some but let's say I have some skills but welding isn't one of them :p The stems aren't leaking yet but the hole around it is rusted. Any helpful info will be appreciated, thanks.
Click to expand...
I agree with the other posts! Be very careful!!
Usually , when the is fluid leaking out of that area. The tube has been pinched, Or compromised. It will seep the fluid. It comes out from where you are describing. I've had this happen before. You might find a hard rubber ring (Flap) that fits over the stem inside of the rim to protect it. Check with a good tire store that deals with Ag. Equipment.
If calcium chloride, (Also used for making dill pickles) is in your tires For weight?? A better solution is (BEET JUICE). This it what the tire Manufactures use today.
(Not the beets Grandma Canned). It will not rust out the rims. Pay attention to the other post!!! Tires can be very Dangerous!!! You can look it up on YouTube or the Firestone Web.
And you will see a tire on the rim, not Inflated and 5 Sec. of arc Welding will do!! And what happens. You'll be surprised!!
Tires are made with heat and come apart with heat, About,
300*Degrees, GOOD LUCK, BE careful.
MDFJ
 
rotate the valve to the top then jack up the wheel now you can replace the whole stem assy and that should stop the leak. Had one leaking like that and had rusted the rim replaced the whole valve assy and that was the end of the leak guess the prior owner was just too lazy to fix so just let it leak to ruin the rim. You need to stop the leak before repairing rim
 
I have fixed a lot of rims that were rusted out some times you have to go a long ways from the rusted area to find "good" steel. I just got through fixing my S-99. Had to build new rims.
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a222691.jpg
 
I've seen where people try to cram Bondo or fiberglass filler into the rusty areas but that doesn't make the rim any stronger or stop the rusting process. It just covers it up.

If you do start messing with the valve stems make sure you do it out and away from anything you don't want to rust. If that CaCl solution gets on something, it's really tough to get off.
 
(quoted from post at 06:15:51 04/05/16) Pickle salt is sodium chloride.
Click to expand...
we use ALUM and Pickling salt. Yes It's sodium chloride. and Alum.
Lookup (Ball Pickle Crisp Granules) Calcium Chloride.
 
As always, excellent information from everyone, thanks. I know I need to take care of this the right way or it eventually will bite me in the butt. I thought about trying to cover the area with JB weld but as one of the post mentions the rust will just eventually spread and probably cost me more down the road. :)
 
Drain all fluid out of tire. Do this with tire on. Tire will be VERY heavy with fluid.
Remove tire and tube from rim.
Inspect rim. Cut out rot. I cut a rectangle out of an old propane tank the same size and welded it in.
Drill new vale stem whole on opposite side of rot.
Wire wheel entire rim and paint.
New tube and old tire back on.
Added cast weights, no more fluid in my tires.
That being said if you can find a rim for less then $100, get the rim. I have an unusual rim so I welded.
 
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