Replacing Valve Stem?

Realized my rims were getting rusty looking, so I cleaned things up and primed with a plan to paint. Once I got them clean and primed, I discovered that apparently the worst one has a leaky valve stem. Never touched it in 20 years since I put on the new tires and tubes. If I get the valve at 12:00, can I remove the stem and simply replace it? Or will I find the threads will be all goopy and have to replace the tube also? Should I jack up that side to take the weight off the tire?

Thanks,

Tim

Should be able to unscrew it and thread a new one in

Yes to 12:00 placement, yes to jacking up, But good luck changing the valve out on a 20 year old tube. I would suggest saying a prayer and have plan B lined up if/when plan A fails. Spray down the valve stem with penetrating oil, and using two pliers try to remove the stem, it will either crumble instantly, twist in two, or slowly come out, again pray for this last one. LOL On a different note if you mean a leaking valve core and not the valve stem, you should not have as much trouble changing that out. BTDT many times

Sorry - yes I said the wrong thing. The valve stem looks fine - its the core that I assume is leaking.

Tim

They scare me ever time I find one leaking. Had one on a 300U tire one time leaking and getting it out wrecked the tube. I have gotten the core out successfully a few other times but I always expect a disaster when I start.

Sounds like you should be able to just unscrew it and replace it if it is just the valve stem. I would work it slowly until you have it started. I've done many 20+ year old tubes over the years. Good luck - Bob

I am meaning if the valve stem is bad, but the stem is not corroded to nothing. The stem should screw out with very little effort. Bob

Guessing you have a liquid filled tube type tire. The stem is molded to the tube. There is a valve core housing screwed into that stem. When filling or emptying the fluid that core housing is generally removed. The valve core is inside that removable housing. The actual core inside the valve core housing is the same as most tubes or tubeless tires use.

You may want to have a replacement core housing on hand before you mess with the core. The current valve core housing screws has external threads which screw into internal threads of the valve stem and has a solid grip point in the middle that you can grip with pliers. The old type valve core housing has a nut type sleeve in the center that threads on over external threads on the stem to hold it in the tube stem. Likely your core housing is the current type, however if they haven't been touched for 20 years you should determine which you have prior to starting as they core housing must match the tube, they are not interchangeable. I ran into a tube with an old core housing recently. The swivel nut had corroded to where it was a blow out waiting to happen. Had to order a couple in, the local places don't stock those anymore. Just throwing this out for thought as it is a pain to find out if a new core alone doesn't solve your problem.

Get yourself a valve core tool that is about four inches long if you don't already have one. Unscrew the core till it is almost at the end of the threads. Leave it like that while you are placing the new core in the end of the tool. Hold the core in the tool with your pointer finger, unscrew the old core the rest of the way out with your other hand and quickly stick the new core into the stem and screw it in with the tool. Hold a spare core between your lips so you can quickly grab it and stick it in the tool if the air pressure blows the first new core out into the grass never to be found again. Nearly everyone who is reading this can relate.