Installing metal valve stems on tubes

D

Don/WI

Senior Member
I have a set of metal valve stems that I want to install in some tubes I have with rubber stems. Do I use any type of rubber cement on either or both sides of the stem? Don't want them to leak. Yes, I know that I should have bought new tubes with the metal stems, but this was what the budget could stand. Thanks for any help. Don/WI
 
No nothing is applied to the rubber. I did the same thing as you several years ago. I cut out the metal stem manukin the smallest hole possible. I also insured that the hole was round without any jagged edges. With a helper I took a pair of needle nose plyers and opened the hole so the helper could push in the stem. The stem was wet with soapy water to allow it to slide it.

I could have used an outside snap ring plier but I thought it was a little too thin and would rip the tube. I also did won by stepping on the tube and pulling the tube up to open the hole and placed the stem in that way but the pliers were easiest.

This was three years ago and not a leak!!!
 
"I cut out the metal stem manukin the smallest hole possible."

Why would you "cut out the metal stem" if you are installing metal stems ?
 
What Mike said is the way to do it. I did mine about 6 months ago and the five tires are not leaking. The key thing is make a small hole, like Mike said. The hard part is getting the the metal core out of the tube. I ended up using a small screwdriver and pushed it in around the metal stem and finally broke them loose. If you are like me, you can't believe you could get the big inner part of the metal valve stem through a tiny hole. I clamped the metal valve stem upside down in a vice (with pieces of wood to protect the stem), soaped it up, like Mike said and the tube stretches over the little hole easily. The last thing I was concerned about was how tight to tighten the nut. I just tightened it very firm but not so I flattened out the rubber a lot. Hope this helps.

Answer to Mikeinnj. The rubber valve stems have inner metal cores.
Rusty Nelson
 
Doc Kalinka uses a little rubber cement to help the large end of the stem slide in. He wrote a good article in the MAN, I believe around 2002, wrt stem installation. I have followed his procedures with good success.
 
Stevem I was gonna say that too that Doc wrote a good article. I thought I had copied it but I cannot find it either. Does someone have the exact issue, --or does someone have it copied where they could e-mail it? Definitely a "worth keeping" How-To.
 
I just installed a set of Schrader 6300 stems into tubes. I simply cut the rubber stem off at the base. It will have a brass inside tube but when you cut around the stem at the base, it will come out. this should leave you with a small hole that you should be able to pinch and strech to get the base of your metal stem into. Using a little liquid soap might help but the tube will strech. I didn't use any sealer on mine but used good bridge washers that were not rusty. I have had no leak problems on mine. Tighten the hex nut down and you should be good to go.
 
somewhat related: had my original metal stems replated and reinstalled with the vise method above. however, i seem to have a slow leak 'inside' two of the stems (bubbles with soapy water) ... i suspect the new plating is not allowing the threads to seal correctly. guess it could be the valve mechanism itself (although they are new). any ideas on stopping the leak??
 
This is the old cheap dutchman asking a question. I have a tube that is in good shape but the rubber stem has ripped out right at the bottom of the stem. Could I just cut it off the rest of the way and then install a metal stem???? If so, could save a good tube. It sounds like that is what you guys are doing.
 
Fred just follow Gary's tips and it will work and you save a tube


"Your not mutch if you're not Dutch"
 
Steve Ciccalone said:
Doc Kalinka uses a little rubber cement to help the large end of the stem slide in. He wrote a good article in the MAN, I believe around 2002, wrt stem installation. I have followed his procedures with good success.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the good input. I'll try to find Doc's article. Doc was in our "Nickle A Region" when I joined in 1966. Don/WI
 
Steve Ciccalone said:
Doc Kalinka uses a little rubber cement to help the large end of the stem slide in. He wrote a good article in the MAN, I believe around 2002, wrt stem installation. I have followed his procedures with good success.
Click to expand...
I found the article "Valve Stem Mounting" by Doc Kalinka. It is in the "Model A News" March-April, 2002 issue (VOL. 49 NO. 2) on page 14. Thanks Doc. Don/WI
 
Last edited:
I have had six 21" tubes holding air for over forty years, and I don't think that I used any glue or sealer. I believe that the sealer would become hard and fail over time.
MIKE :)
 
Although they are not original, why would you not buy a set of tubes from Brattons which already has the Metal Stems installed? Comments Please!
Joe Grobleski
Cape Codder
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top