

#Installing valve stem drivers
If drivers or maintenance people keep topping a tire off when necessary, then a small leak can go unnoticed for months. Valve stem leaks are painfully slow and can bleed out a few pounds of pressure each week. A part that costs pennies can disable a $500 tire on a $300 wheel in no time. Ultimately, a small piece of rubber or silicone creates a seal between the valve stem and the rim. It's the Achilles' heel that will bring a tire to the ground if it cannot preserve the integrity of the inflation chamber. On a tubeless radial truck tire, the interface between the valve hole in the rim and the valve stem is a primary leak point. By placing a hole in the rim surface, installing a valve stem meets the inflation and deflation needs while maintaining the air pressure inside the tire. It's time to put the valve stem in the spotlight, center stage.įor tubeless tire technology to function, there must be a way to inflate and deflate the tire. This part is essential by every definition, and if it fails, all the technology in the world will not save the assembly from going flat. Tires and wheels are no different, so I felt it was time to give some attention to the most underappreciated, overlooked and taken-for-granted component on the wheel end.
#Installing valve stem full
The world is full of unsung heroes, and even "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Rowe can't spotlight all the countless underappreciated jobs needed for society to function. But, just a couple of years later, only 67% did. A survey of truck drivers showed that at the height of the pandemic, 96% felt appreciated for what they do. The hardworking men and women who operate and maintain the trucks were deemed essential because even politicians knew what would happen if they stopped. For a brief period, there was an outpouring of love and support for the essential employees who maintained the supply chain during the pandemic. Phosphor-Bronze alloy has high-strength characteristics and good heat transfer properties.When COVID-19 stopped most of the world just a few years ago, the trucking industry kept moving freight so people could survive and thrive. Operation is generally performed on the bench, not on a seat and guide machine. Phosphor-Bronze alloy outlasts cast iron.

Improves performance of cast iron guides. Groove makes it more difficult to measure the ID of the guide. Operation is performed on the bench not a seat and guide machine. Requires simple tooling (electric drill, speed reducer, knurling arbor, reamer, guide hone and deburring tool).Spiral groove that’s created helps retain oil in the guide. There are a lot of variables to consider, which we’ll explain in the discussion of each method. Another deciding factor, which is indirectly associated with the other two) is whether you’re working on all of the valves or only some of them. In this context, performance is NOT power output, but the ultimate use (such as diesel, high performance, cast iron, aluminum, etc.). You have two factors to consider when deciding which valve guide repair method to use – Cost and Performance. Any debris or metal chips left in the head will cause premature failure. It’s also essential to clean the head thoroughly BEFORE assembling the valves. But regardless of the method you choose, it is essential that the valve guide be centered to ensure all components align properly.

In the past, we’ve discussed measuring your valve guides to determine if they’re within serviceable limits. QualFast High Performance Valve Springs.QualCast Valve Spring Retainers & Keepers.

