valve stem suggestions

[joebarthlow]

I'm restoring these wheels. I'm replacing the valve stems. Any suggestions for replacements? thanks

[John_in_VA]

I overindulged my E28 with metal Alpina valve stems for the Alpina wheels and two of them have slow leaks - my first experience with metal stems.  I'd go with a quality short rubber stem with metal cap.

['76mintgrün'02]

3 hours ago, John_in_VA said:

I'd go with a quality short rubber stem with metal cap.

 

 

 

[golftii]

installed these recently in factory alloys to good effect, so far so good

(after an older all-rubber stem literally blew out of the wheel on interstate, yikes)

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/valve-stem/36121119332/

[joebarthlow]

24 minutes ago, golftii said:

installed these recently in factory alloys to good effect, so far so good

(after an older all-rubber stem literally blew out of the wheel on interstate, yikes)

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/valve-stem/36121119332/

 

 

good to know. what wheels did you install them on?

[Emyers]

I have only used the regular short rubber stems with no issues. Always install new stems with new tires, they do age and eventually fail.

 

[jp5Touring]

I used aluminum anodized black on my E39. Been 3 years still look new.  

I like the look of metal,but rubber bends and metal can snap. 

Nice wheel

[visionaut]

If you’re going metal stem - get brand name and metal-matched. Aluminum with aluminum barrels (like Rays) or Steel with steel rims. Key dimension for fitment is the diameter of the hole on the barrel. All quality metal stems are fit to the rim with rubber seals at the hole  that should not leak.

[TobyB]

...it's not trivial to find decent quality metal stems any more.

 

As visionaut says, there's a rubber seal underneath, and those do have a lifespan, too.

 

t

[Mike Self]

When I acquired a set of factory alloy wheels, they had the OEM metal valve stems on 'em.  Had a terrible time removing 'em, as they were corroded in place (nickel-plated brass stems, aluminum wheel).  Took penetrating oil, patience and a copper mallet to get 'em loose.  Didn't want to use heat.  

 

Lesson learned:  + 1 on similar metals, particularly when one is aluminum.

 

Fortunately the stem holes in the wheels weren't corroded, so replaced 'em with rubber stems.  They've been doing just fine for 10+ years.  

 

mike

[golftii]

On 1/19/2018 at 4:25 PM, joebarthlow said:

 

good to know. what wheels did you install them on?

This, and per Mike’s point above I better hit them with anti seize...

 

[joebarthlow]

7 minutes ago, golftii said:

This, and per Mike’s point above I better hit them with anti seize...

 

my favorite wheels for the 2002! I hope to find a used set someday.

[Conserv]

2 hours ago, joebarthlow said:

 

my favorite wheels for the 2002! I hope to find a used set someday.

 

Beware, Joe!

 

I looked for a restorable used set for more than a year. Found just one rim.  Gave up and bought four of the new versions to go with my single vintage example (same visually except the new version places “FPS”, the manufacturer, on the front of the rim).  Mounted new XAS’s.  Within three months I came across two vintage sets of four.... ?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited January 25, 2018 by Conserv

[joebarthlow]

22 minutes ago, Conserv said:

 

Beware, Joe!

 

I looked for a restorable used set for more than a year. Found just one.  Gave up and bought four of the new versions to go with my single vintage example (same visually except the new version places “FPS”, the manufacturer, on the front of the rim).  Mounted new XAS’s.  Within three months I came across two vintage sets of four.... ?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

that's usually the way it works for me.