Why do wheels rust out at the valve stem

steve hackel

steve hackel

Senior Member
Why do wheels rust out at the valve stem, more so than any other part of the wheel? I am helping a friend fix a set of original 16" Ford wheels to run on his model A' coupe, and each of the wheels are rusted (+/- to some degree) at the sides of the valve stem hole. One wheel needs to have a section replaced that will be 2" long - I always believed that the tube would exert enough pressure against the side of the rim to keep the water out.....:confused:
 
Your assumption is the tire held air all its and previous tires life. And that is also a good place for salt to congregate.

I wouldn't patch a rim unless it could be proved inconsequential in a court claim.
 
steve hackel said:
Why do wheels rust out at the valve stem, more so than any other part of the wheel? I am helping a friend fix a set of original 16" Ford wheels to run on his model A' coupe, and each of the wheels are rusted (+/- to some degree) at the sides of the valve stem hole. One wheel needs to have a section replaced that will be 2" long - I always believed that the tube would exert enough pressure against the side of the rim to keep the water out.....:confused:
Click to expand...

I think that the stem moves enough to remove the paint around the hole allowing rust to start and then move around the wheel.

Just my opinion, take or leave it.
 
I think water collects there when the valve stem comes to rest at the bottom - My story and I an sticking to it.

John
 
I would think that the stems are closest to the supply of outside air which has moisture... given time we know what happens...
 
It's a complicated problem involving chemistry, magnetic fields, centrifugal forces, etc.! Too long to answer on this forum! :-)
 
steve hackel said:
Why do wheels rust out at the valve stem, more so than any other part of the wheel? I am helping a friend fix a set of original 16" Ford wheels to run on his model A' coupe, and each of the wheels are rusted (+/- to some degree) at the sides of the valve stem hole. One wheel needs to have a section replaced that will be 2" long - I always believed that the tube would exert enough pressure against the side of the rim to keep the water out.....:confused:
Click to expand...

Hey Steve,
You living back EAST makes it come down to two words...water/SALT=rust!
Ok, more than two words but salt/salt and more salt year after year on any ('30s) rim , and most any other iron rim, mixed with water starts deterioration.
And, the open valve stem hole is how it gets in ! Yup , dog urine would help speed up process also !
 
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Ya, I sort of get it, but looking at these wheels it appears as though they were from the same car and that was 40+ years. One is ok, 2 are poor and one is gone at the valve, and that is what we will be repairing with a section patch and then redrilling the stem hole in another location. It was just an off the wall question without a real answer.
 
Weld the hole and drill another new stem hole in a new location.

doesnt get any easier then that...................!
 
If the only place the rim is badly rusted out is the valve stem, I don't see any reason to not drill another hole and weld up the existing hole. However, if the valve stem holes is badly rusted, there may be other places in the outer rim that may be pretty thin, due to rust and possibly unsafe. Vince's suggestion of finding another better rim is a good idea. Original rims are still fairly plentiful.
Rusty Nelson
 
Why do wheels rust out at valve stems?

Same reason fence post rot out exactly at ground level ..... it takes both a sufficient quantity of air exposure + moisture to greatly accelerate rot on wood and/or ferric oxide on steel known as rust.

However, wood is different.

In over 30 feet deep wood pile foundations, only the upper 30 feet pilings have to be creosote treated to counteract damaging effects and the wood decomposition effects of moisture and air ....... the lower wood pilings resting below the water table have no air to accelerate decomposition .... hence, while untreated, they will be preserved for eternity like that what is commonly known in sub-tropical areas as retrieved, swamp sinker cypress.

And last ......... but not least ........ dogs don't pee on wood pilings 30 feet deep ...... but unlike steel, salt in dog pee was a wood preservative for Model T wood wheels equivalent to providing salts like in Wolman Salts ..... hence, Model T wood wheels & Model A steel wheels react differently to dog pee ......... dry Model T wood spokes can be preserved and can last longer with dog pee ....... and ........... if you don't have a dog, why bother.

Just one (1) Model T wood and Model A steel wheel opinion.
 
Common problem on tractors. Weld and patch the hole and drill another one. Clean the rim to remove any rust and coat the entire inside with epoxy.
 
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