S & A Auto Repair that's how we get rid of all our junk. Take it to the big apple, put a sign that says :KEEP OFF, on it, put yellow crime scene tape up around it, and my dad dresses like a security guard, grabs a thermos of coffee, and most of it is gone in a hour! BAM!! your cousins daddy ROBERT, is your uncle! It also works great for your excess Christmas garbage!! Just pack a couple of boxes up, and wrap them like Christmas presents!! Put them in the back of your pickup, and drive around with out of state plates on the truck, and WHAMMO!! Santa clause is coming to town!!
5 years later......I have a 2018 f-150 with those exact same caps, in blue! All seized and I have low tire pressure in 3 tires. I have tried to remove them several times with no luck. I'm going to try your method tomorrow. Thanks SMAR!!!
Very helpful information. Got the Dremel out, spent a few moments on each of the four stuck caps, and replaced them with even cheaper plastic ones!!! Great video!!!
Did mine today using; matches, pliers, a tiny flat -edged screwdriver, a small, quality serrated steak knife and some cloth tape. Protected the area of the wheel around the valve with the tape. Heated up the valve cap....still wouldn't budge using pliers . Prized part of cap away with the screwdriver... but still mainly stuck fast! Heated again with match flame, got the pliers grabbing the valve and started sawing across the cap with the steak knife. Came apart in one minute! 15 min trial and error in total but job done, only light thread damage but a load of money saved. WD40 the rest of the caps and had a plastic spare! Cheer$ : )
SwiftHelix Don't give the government any Ideas. If it gets an extra 10th. of a mile due to the inertia of those caps they will make it mandatory for all the manufacturers to install them. lol.
This saved me money and taught me a ton. A few big car repair services told me they would likely have to break the valve etc., I'm assuming due to the semi-tedious nature of this fix but after seeing your vid I used a Osc Dremel carbide rasp bit and viola! Thanks again! (Side note, I read the fine print on the back of my cap bag and it states to lubricate the cap before placing on and every time it's taken on/off so my error there more so than the cap. )
Thanks for making and posting this. 100% accurate, heat and leverage as recommended by others do NOT work. Grinding away the side of the cap works really quickly and well as demonstrated. Also excellent tip cleaning up the threads after. Great stuff. Unlike the aluminium caps which are an abomination!
Man thanks for the great how to do video my job vehicle body man hooked me up and it was a breeze they came right off I'll never put those bogus caps on again, appreciate you brother !
Amazing tip. Just removed 4 with little to no damage on the threads (the 4th tire came out much better than the 1st). Thank you so much for the tip! With any luck, I’ll never need to use it again ;)
Great tip. I used a file instead and it worked same way. Just be careful to occasionally check how deep you’ve gone. I went a bit too far and caught threads on stem.
That is very similar to what I did Tom. I used a hacksaw blade and made a cut lengthwise along the valve stem cap. Just as I saw the blade about to go all the way through I used a flat headed screwdriver to pry open the cap and take kit off.
Great tip , you saved the customer bucks again ! Thanks Eric. I have agree with Chris , write a book of tips ! I was waiting buy some lumber once and asked my best lumber salesman if he ever meet the guy that wrote the bokk on their shelf. Tommy looked me in the eye and said " ask him yourself , he is standing right beside you ". So i asked him what motivated him to write it ? His first breath said it all..." I have 3 kids to send off to college". Write a "series" of books Eric. You will not be sorry .
Thanks for this video. Super helpful. Ground down my seized stem cap with a Dremel and used a couple of Vise grips, came right off with no damage to the stem. Filled my tire, replaced with a plastic cap. Problem solved.
Great tip. I will have to try it if I see that issue. I don't really like TPMS. I used to think that people should know if there tire is flat, then one day I say a person get out of there car at the grocery store and I mentioned to them that their tire was really low and they seemed very surprised until I showed them.
Thank you for this video. It helped me out. I do not have grinder wheel but I did use an orbit sander with medium grit paper, and it did the trick. Spent about 10 min on each of them. Thanks! ✌🏼
Worked perfectly with a Dremel grinding bit on my stuck aluminum valve stem covers. Silly me, I knew better but learned my lesson. Thanks for the video!
G'day, Mr. O! Wow! Great Quick Tip! Once the folks (customers) realize never to use those aluminium caps, ever again... Btw, that was amazing! I've had the same problem, too! Dealing with the corroded metal valve stem caps, on a VW Beetle TDI!! What I did was rather similar, on the flat end piece. Using a Dremel, cut a groove for a flathead screw driver. Then cut carefully down the side of cap. Lightly exposing and only until you see the thread of the valve copper. Then simply keep vice grips in place to allow yourself, using the flat head to break the corrosion bead. Thank you! Great job! Cheers! 😊✌🏼🛠❤️
I used this technique for my brother's car today. I recommend go very light on the grinding as to not dmg the thread. The sides are thin so dont take off too much. I also grinded a slit at the tip of the cap. Then I used a flat screwdriver to split the seized cap.
Nicely removed, no damage :-D. They do lock up in our damp environment, even without salt. I have seen aluminium caps on disabled peoples path transports. i always advise the owner to replace them with plastic, before it's too late :-(.
It is also worth a note, some vehicles tpms valves now have replaceable valve stems that are a quick and easy swap. Some are still single piece though. Company I work for used to get replacement stems from a company called autogem, don't know if they supply in the states though but I'm sure you can get them from other sources. Handy to know as really they should be replaced with any tyre changes
Good tidbit of advice, Eric !!!! Now, show a video on how to plug a tire that has a mail or screw hole in it - with rubber plug AND with gooey sticky rope like plugs - on and off the vehicle .... will help those stuck on the road temporarily till they can get to a garage !!!!
@Bobby Brady Yes, Bobby, that's what I keep in my vehicles trunk - a patch kit and cigarette lighter plug air compressor pump. I ask for a video for the wives to know how to do this when they get a nail, screw or hole in the tire .... I live by 3 colleges, and so many times I have had college students (girls mostly) stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire with a screw or nail hole, and no AAA, or car club service, or vehicle insurance coverage for flats. I end up putting a plug in the tire, airing it and charging them a dollar. Then a quick lecture to watch a video on plugging a tire and getting your parents to get you a tire plug kit and air compressor for your safety - along with a good flashlight for night time repairs. I wonder how many of them actually did that ???
Thank you. I have been trying for days to get the aluminum caps off with no luck. I should have known better. They locked in place two years ago and I got lucky and got them off. I sprayed them with liquid wrench and put them back on and the would check them every few months. That worked fine until just now when I found two of them a locked on. I used the grinder and got them off. I’m using plain plastic ones from now on.
Yah Right, where were you and your tip 2 years ago when my rav4 caps corroded on and I twisted the damn stem off. Since then I did think of that tip also, I would probably use a dremel and run a thin line all the way down it. The small grinding wheel would make it much easier. Thread chaser a real good idea. We both know what that new tpms cost me. Thumbs up as usual.
With some knowledge and patience,you can do a lot. Most shops would just chop that whole valve stem,and charge the customer to remount all 4 tires.love your approach to problems
if you ever move your shop to Charlotte, North Carolina you would have SO much more free shop time! Almost no problems with rust and corrosion down here compared to THE RUST BELT. You could spend your considerable mechanical skills on many more rewarding and technically challenging problems.
Great stuff doctor o. Keep them coming sooner or later I'm bound to be a little bit smarter anyway. Another helpful hint for your viewers is if you have a leak in a tire and just can't find it. Wiggle the valve stem just a little bit while spraying some sort of leak detector and you will find that mystery leak. They get old and cracked just like us.
Hey Eric, love your channel and your advice. Likely the best channel I have seen. You have a very personal and knowledgable touch. My question: Why do tire repair shops always recommend replacing valve stems when you buy tires. I understand if they are damaged or rubber, but if they are metal and not corroded, then why do they want to replace them? Seems unfair and scamy. Thanks.
Yeah another good tip, thanks. Got some metal chrome plated valve stem caps, wire brush the threads slightly and a touch of grease both sides all pretty, and very easy to remove. Especially in a snow storm in Idaho, for a tire needing a few Lbs of air.
Jesus, I wish I had known this a year ago. I bought some custom Z71 valve stem covers and just as you said, they essentially welded themselves to my tire stems. Wish I had known this a long time ago and would have just "stuck" with the plastic cap covers. Sheesh!
A decent part of my friend's bicycle shop business is removing aluminium seat posts form steel framed bicycles. Drill + adjustable reamer is the solution there.
cyrex686 I didn't think about that. I wonder about the Ford aluminum body against steel how that is gonna pan out. hmm...I guess we will see. I doubt Ford is using any isolators to keep electrolysis from happening . As thin as the aluminum is I don't think it will last long as a anode. I should ask SMA if he has seen any aluminum Ford trucks, and what they look like after becoming a battery in the salt.
Eric I honestly think if you put all this stuff down in a book, and sold it, you'd have a good setup for your kid's college or your retirement just from the book sales. These tips are things most don't know and never would if it wasn't for you :-)
@@igotstoknow2 Honestly I think he spouts off a lot of stuff that are half-truths and FUD. At the same time he doesn't own knowledge - Love to see him sue over knowledge ;-)
You can use an aluminum cap if the TPMS valve stem is also aluminum. Galvanic corrosion occurs between dissimilar metals. My Lexus has aluminum stems with aluminum caps and there’s no problem. That said, plastic caps will work with any type of metal, as it does not corrode.
My Jeep Patriot's rotted off after about 6-7 years in UP of Michigan. They just don't corrode as fast and it isn't the galvanic mechanism but they will still turn to oxide dust at some point. Give me brass and rubber caps, please, is what I tell the dealers and tire shops.
Exactly what I was thinking, to Dremel it off. This was my verification so thank you. Discount Tire would not replace the stem because the tire was like a month over the “needs to be 10 years or newer” policy. Even after purchasing a tire.
Thanks a lot for this guide! I had the exact same issue over in damp salty Scotland. As you say, pliers just won't budge it. I was able to cut the 2 stubborn ones off mine using this grinding method. (When my novelty alu caps arrived I noticed they lacked a plastic liner and can't even claim I didn't know better... but I left them a bit loose to account for this which was fine till it was serviced and thoughtfully tightened to **** :D
What timing! Yesterday I just replaced all 4 valve stems in my car (non tpms) because of this exact issue. Here in Northern KY things can get pretty crusty, too :)
2:18 'Aluminum' you were doing so well too Eric! 🤭 I've got Jet Ski's & usually dump the back end of whatever I'm towing them into the Pacific Ocean & have never even given that a second thought! Maybe I check my tyre pressures too often?! 😂 Another great free tip Friday on a Tuesday 👍
Helpful hints and both were great. I live in the Belt with snow but my 2019 Grand Sport never sees it. Its covered in the heated garage. I think my chrome ones will be OK. Thank you
I just ran into this for the first time a few years ago. Never used to see this happen, back when we had normal rubber and brass stems. I've also had quite a few with the valve core hopelessly seized inside when they leave the caps off - have to cut or drill the stem out, unless you want to sit there for 20 minutes holding the shrader valve in (I've done that a few times, if the customer doesn't have the dough for new ones). 21st Century quality automotive parts for ya ... 🤢😡 Great tip! 👍👍
Smitty Smithsonite Yes if you use 2 different metals then it will cause electrolysis and eat away and seize. This is why I only use plastic caps now. However I was a kid once and did the same thing and put chrome caps, of course on brass stems...lol. Dremel got them off. What about tractor tires that have calcium in them that corrode the schraders in.
@@NY411Info - Oh yeah, seen many a tractor rim completely destroyed, once the tube wears away, or gets pinholes and starts leaking, or leaks out the valve stem. Worst stuff ever, although pound for pound it's an excellent ballast. I had one customer that had some fancy jeweled crown valve caps - every single one had to come off in pieces. What a mess!
I have decorative aluminum faced valve stem covers But they also have a plastic liner with threads on the inside, so they don't corrode on $3 at AutoZone
We had a customer who removed his star shaped cap prior to bringing his car in for service. He used locking pliers and also removed the top 3/8 inch of his valve stem. We put in a new insert for him. The tip of the schrader valve core was sticking up so I was able to let the air out with my finger.
@@robc8468 I have the oem plastic gray colored ones on my 03 Ranger. I told the tire shops to make sure when they change the stems I want my caps re-installed. Have not seen gray ones anymore.
The bed time story of dissimilar metals fighting till the very end. LOL Well for one of them anyway! LOL Good old salt! never ends here in Ontario Canada either...
Had the same problem with Stainless Steel caps. Always understood that stainless wouldn't size due to dissimilar metals but had a few problems using ss bolts
It’s easy to lubricate the valve stem threads with dielectric grease. Tire shops in my area get anywhere between $30-50 per sensor, which they want to replace at each tire change.
My friend had a 2007 Tahoe years ago and broke the TPMS Sensor because of this.. Back then I was like how could that happen and fast forward to today and now I see what happened 😌 Any way thanks Eric!!!
It's a charm when there is no cap at all and the the wrong valve stem core is installed in the tpms valve. Them cores get stuck and at times they break and spin but do not come out. When it's a 1 piece tpms, you find yourself in a pickle. It's mostly with the Kias and Nissans
Wal-mart uses something like the Ken-Tool (C) 29975 - TPMS Hardware Kit. Of course, everything tool related at Wal-mart has the Steelman name on it! The kit we have has about 15 new inserts along with the tools shown.
Great video! I wish I had seen that a year ago, I was trying to help a friend out.... I would also say, if you're going to put any kind of funky caps on there, just put a little dollop of never seize anti seize whatever in there... Seal off the threads from nonsense....
Now that's an honest mechanic. Could have easily just cut the stems and let the air out and then replaced the sensors for some money. But knew of a way to get the caps off and the owner can return the sensors (As I doubt they where low on battery yet)
Great tip!!! I used this method and it worked like a gem. I will never buy aluminum valve stem caps again.
worked like a charm, thank you. my parents almost payed $500 for a shop to removed them.
No worries, down here in the city, they steal them before they have a chance to corrode
S & A Auto Repair I’m in providence RI I didn’t know they still steal them lol
I'm in florida panhandle (north west FL) and they steal them here too
LOL, WI reported, not knowing if anyone need to steal those caps. But my point is if the Aluminum caps are hex shape, does it help?
S & A Auto Repair that's how we get rid of all our junk. Take it to the big apple, put a sign that says :KEEP OFF, on it, put yellow crime scene tape up around it, and my dad dresses like a security guard, grabs a thermos of coffee, and most of it is gone in a hour! BAM!! your cousins daddy ROBERT, is your uncle!
It also works great for your excess Christmas garbage!! Just pack a couple of boxes up, and wrap them like Christmas presents!! Put them in the back of your pickup, and drive around with out of state plates on the truck, and WHAMMO!! Santa clause is coming to town!!
Ain't that the truth. Heck, some people even grab the plastic ones.
5 years later......I have a 2018 f-150 with those exact same caps, in blue! All seized and I have low tire pressure in 3 tires. I have tried to remove them several times with no luck. I'm going to try your method tomorrow. Thanks SMAR!!!
Nothing like a grinding wheel at 6:30 am screaming out of my computer to get the kids up for first day back at school! Thanks SMA.
🤣🤣🤣 That's a good idea.. I should see if I can that and Big Nasty as a tone for an alarm clock👍
I never use the valvestem, over here we got bluetooth air.😉 Great Tip Eric!
Ahhh so you have the app then! Sorted!!
SWEET 👍 👍
DiagnoseDan...I've always wanted one of those! Finally, I can get rid of this cordless air hose!!
Lol
Thanks for this info. Ontario Canada here.. Just successfully used your approach to remove very similar caps from my tires.
@TheDroogie thanks. Another fellow Ontarian here. I'm going do this to tackle this issue. Never again, I will use aluminum valve caps
Borrowed a Dremel and in 10 minutes problem solved on all 4 tyres...saved me ££ here in the UK. Thank you.
Very helpful information. Got the Dremel out, spent a few moments on each of the four stuck caps, and replaced them with even cheaper plastic ones!!! Great video!!!
Did mine today using; matches, pliers, a tiny flat -edged screwdriver, a
small, quality serrated steak knife and some cloth tape. Protected the
area of the wheel around the valve with the tape. Heated up the valve
cap....still wouldn't budge using pliers . Prized part of cap away with
the screwdriver... but still mainly stuck fast! Heated again with match
flame, got the pliers grabbing the valve and started sawing across the cap
with the steak knife. Came apart in one minute! 15 min trial and error
in total but job done, only light thread damage but a load of money
saved. WD40 the rest of the caps and had a plastic spare! Cheer$ : )
U just saved me a ton of headaches. I followed your instructions and got my stuck caps off! Thanks.
Just rescued my wifes car with this problem using this method - thanks a lot! Appreciated.
You've removed the extra 5HP he was getting off those aluminum valve stem caps.
LOL
I thought it was 5HP each. Lol.
SwiftHelix
Don't give the government any Ideas. If it gets an extra 10th. of a mile due to the inertia of those caps they will make it mandatory for all the manufacturers to install them. lol.
@ swifthelix......@$50 each
Great tip that's only exceeded by your advice to avoid aluminum valve caps. Thanks Eric.
I was hoping to seeing the torch removal method but at least got to see some 'little blow' action.
Or Big Nasty!
I bet that customer was glad he brought the car to you!!! SMART FELLA!!
This saved me money and taught me a ton. A few big car repair services told me they would likely have to break the valve etc., I'm assuming due to the semi-tedious nature of this fix but after seeing your vid I used a Osc Dremel carbide rasp bit and viola! Thanks again! (Side note, I read the fine print on the back of my cap bag and it states to lubricate the cap before placing on and every time it's taken on/off so my error there more so than the cap. )
Great tip! I had to grind both sides of the valve and cut a slot in the top, pried with flat screwdriver - cap broke in pieces - no thread damage.
Thanks for making and posting this. 100% accurate, heat and leverage as recommended by others do NOT work. Grinding away the side of the cap works really quickly and well as demonstrated. Also excellent tip cleaning up the threads after. Great stuff. Unlike the aluminium caps which are an abomination!
A lighter didn't work but a torch did. 23 dollar one from Walmart worked. Didn't need 2 pliers either to remove.
Man thanks for the great how to do video my job vehicle body man hooked me up and it was a breeze they came right off I'll never put those bogus caps on again, appreciate you brother !
I've had to inform so many people not to use them even if they look good. GREAT tip for removal!!
Amazing tip. Just removed 4 with little to no damage on the threads (the 4th tire came out much better than the 1st). Thank you so much for the tip! With any luck, I’ll never need to use it again ;)
Great tip. I used a file instead and it worked same way. Just be careful to occasionally check how deep you’ve gone. I went a bit too far and caught threads on stem.
That is very similar to what I did Tom. I used a hacksaw blade and made a cut lengthwise along the valve stem cap. Just as I saw the blade about to go all the way through I used a flat headed screwdriver to pry open the cap and take kit off.
Appreciate these instructions. Very helpful in walking me through process. I’ll be sticking with plastic caps going forward.
Thanks for the video you just saved me another $50. Took me a little longer with my baby dremal but it worked like a charm
Awesome
I got copper caps and learned my lesson!
3 minutes and an invaluable tip. Thats a pretty good deal!
Dealer installed them for me, because they have misplaced mine. Now I have to use your tip and try to remove them. Thank you.
Great tip , you saved the customer bucks again ! Thanks Eric. I have agree with Chris , write a book of tips ! I was waiting buy some lumber once and asked my best lumber salesman if he ever meet the guy that wrote the bokk on their shelf. Tommy looked me in the eye and said " ask him yourself , he is standing right beside you ". So i asked him what motivated him to write it ? His first breath said it all..." I have 3 kids to send off to college". Write a "series" of books Eric. You will not be sorry .
Thanks for this video. Super helpful. Ground down my seized stem cap with a Dremel and used a couple of Vise grips, came right off with no damage to the stem. Filled my tire, replaced with a plastic cap. Problem solved.
Excellent!
Good tip Doc. We don't have near the problems in Texas that y'all do in New York but it's always good to have such things in your back pocket.
Who the hell gives this useful tip a thumbs down?
😂🤣😂
People with aluminum caps and no grinder...
Mechanics who take advantage of the customers. Money!
HELL yes brother
Timmy! 🤣
Great tip. I will have to try it if I see that issue. I don't really like TPMS. I used to think that people should know if there tire is flat, then one day I say a person get out of there car at the grocery store and I mentioned to them that their tire was really low and they seemed very surprised until I showed them.
Thank you for this video. It helped me out. I do not have grinder wheel but I did use an orbit sander with medium grit paper, and it did the trick. Spent about 10 min on each of them. Thanks! ✌🏼
Worked perfectly with a Dremel grinding bit on my stuck aluminum valve stem covers. Silly me, I knew better but learned my lesson. Thanks for the video!
Glad it helped
G'day, Mr. O! Wow! Great Quick Tip! Once the folks (customers) realize never to use those aluminium caps, ever again... Btw, that was amazing! I've had the same problem, too! Dealing with the corroded metal valve stem caps, on a VW Beetle TDI!! What I did was rather similar, on the flat end piece. Using a Dremel, cut a groove for a flathead screw driver. Then cut carefully down the side of cap. Lightly exposing and only until you see the thread of the valve copper. Then simply keep vice grips in place to allow yourself, using the flat head to break the corrosion bead. Thank you! Great job!
Cheers! 😊✌🏼🛠❤️
I used this technique for my brother's car today. I recommend go very light on the grinding as to not dmg the thread. The sides are thin so dont take off too much. I also grinded a slit at the tip of the cap. Then I used a flat screwdriver to split the seized cap.
Nicely removed, no damage :-D.
They do lock up in our damp environment, even without salt.
I have seen aluminium caps on disabled peoples path transports.
i always advise the owner to replace them with plastic, before it's too late :-(.
Already a subscriber, Googled this issue (Ford + Alum caps) and got this video. That's just how great you are ;)
We have exactly the same problem over here in the UK. That's a handy little tip for getting them off without trashing the valve stem.
Thank you! Getting ready for a road trip and couldn't get two of those suckers off. You Da Man🍻
It is also worth a note, some vehicles tpms valves now have replaceable valve stems that are a quick and easy swap.
Some are still single piece though.
Company I work for used to get replacement stems from a company called autogem, don't know if they supply in the states though but I'm sure you can get them from other sources.
Handy to know as really they should be replaced with any tyre changes
Why I love your channel your mechanic not a tech if I lived in Upstate New York you be my man
Great tip! Could even be done with a file if no jazzy cut-off wheel is available.
Good tidbit of advice, Eric !!!! Now, show a video on how to plug a tire that has a mail or screw hole in it - with rubber plug AND with gooey sticky rope like plugs - on and off the vehicle .... will help those stuck on the road temporarily till they can get to a garage !!!!
@Bobby Brady Yes, Bobby, that's what I keep in my vehicles trunk - a patch kit and cigarette lighter plug air compressor pump. I ask for a video for the wives to know how to do this when they get a nail, screw or hole in the tire .... I live by 3 colleges, and so many times I have had college students (girls mostly) stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire with a screw or nail hole, and no AAA, or car club service, or vehicle insurance coverage for flats. I end up putting a plug in the tire, airing it and charging them a dollar. Then a quick lecture to watch a video on plugging a tire and getting your parents to get you a tire plug kit and air compressor for your safety - along with a good flashlight for night time repairs. I wonder how many of them actually did that ???
Thank you. I have been trying for days to get the aluminum caps off with no luck. I should have known better. They locked in place two years ago and I got lucky and got them off. I sprayed them with liquid wrench and put them back on and the would check them every few months. That worked fine until just now when I found two of them a locked on. I used the grinder and got them off. I’m using plain plastic ones from now on.
Glad to see you’re using the Vampliers - a great tool. Thanks for the tip about shaving the side of valve stem cap.
Yah Right, where were you and your tip 2 years ago when my rav4 caps corroded on and I twisted the damn stem off. Since then I did think of that tip also, I would probably use a dremel and run a thin line all the way down it. The small grinding wheel would make it much easier. Thread chaser a real good idea. We both know what that new tpms cost me. Thumbs up as usual.
This is an awesome tip! Eric O. Saved the day without having to spend hundreds on new TPS's 😃
Tried the pliers, tried the lighter, tried the grinder. All good. Thx :)
With some knowledge and patience,you can do a lot. Most shops would just chop that whole valve stem,and charge the customer to remount all 4 tires.love your approach to problems
if you ever move your shop to Charlotte, North Carolina you would have SO much more free shop time! Almost no problems with rust and corrosion down here compared to THE RUST BELT. You could spend your considerable mechanical skills on many more rewarding and technically challenging problems.
Great stuff doctor o. Keep them coming sooner or later I'm bound to be a little bit smarter anyway. Another helpful hint for your viewers is if you have a leak in a tire and just can't find it. Wiggle the valve stem just a little bit while spraying some sort of leak detector and you will find that mystery leak. They get old and cracked just like us.
Wow, thanks so much! Worked like a charm! So right, there was no way they were coming off with vice grips or any other pliers! 👍🏻👍🏻
Great info I live about 110 miles from you and down here they put led on then and after 1 or 2 winters they sieze on the tire
Hey Eric, love your channel and your advice. Likely the best channel I have seen. You have a very personal and knowledgable touch.
My question: Why do tire repair shops always recommend replacing valve stems when you buy tires. I understand if they are damaged or rubber, but if they are metal and not corroded, then why do they want to replace them? Seems unfair and scamy. Thanks.
Thanks, Eric! Maybe some anti-seize compound would help. All things considered, I will continue to use the rubber caps.
Two of my favorite channels use safety squints AvE and SMA.
Yeah another good tip, thanks. Got some metal chrome plated valve stem caps, wire brush the threads slightly and a touch of grease both sides all pretty, and very easy to remove. Especially in a snow storm in Idaho, for a tire needing a few Lbs of air.
Jesus, I wish I had known this a year ago. I bought some custom Z71 valve stem covers and just as you said, they essentially welded themselves to my tire stems. Wish I had known this a long time ago and would have just "stuck" with the plastic cap covers. Sheesh!
This worked great for the same situation in Pittsburgh, thanks for the great video!
A decent part of my friend's bicycle shop business is removing aluminium seat posts form steel framed bicycles. Drill + adjustable reamer is the solution there.
cyrex686
I didn't think about that. I wonder about the Ford aluminum body against steel how that is gonna pan out. hmm...I guess we will see. I doubt Ford is using any isolators to keep electrolysis from happening . As thin as the aluminum is I don't think it will last long as a anode. I should ask SMA if he has seen any aluminum Ford trucks, and what they look like after becoming a battery in the salt.
Eric I honestly think if you put all this stuff down in a book, and sold it, you'd have a good setup for your kid's college or your retirement just from the book sales. These tips are things most don't know and never would if it wasn't for you :-)
@@igotstoknow2 Honestly I think he spouts off a lot of stuff that are half-truths and FUD. At the same time he doesn't own knowledge - Love to see him sue over knowledge ;-)
You can use an aluminum cap if the TPMS valve stem is also aluminum. Galvanic corrosion occurs between dissimilar metals. My Lexus has aluminum stems with aluminum caps and there’s no problem. That said, plastic caps will work with any type of metal, as it does not corrode.
My Jeep Patriot's rotted off after about 6-7 years in UP of Michigan. They just don't corrode as fast and it isn't the galvanic mechanism but they will still turn to oxide dust at some point. Give me brass and rubber caps, please, is what I tell the dealers and tire shops.
@@phprofYT The aluminium Chrysler uses in TPMS sensors is garbage. No other brand corrodes quite the way theirs do.
@dafirnz That makes me feel warm a fuzzy all over. I even bought a Ram to replace it. At least the Ram uses rubber valve stems.
plastic plastic plastic or good grade stainless steel! but plastic always wins ;)
My both rear are stuck, manage to get 1 with WD 40. Will wait for nice day to try your trick on the other one !👍
Exactly what I was thinking, to Dremel it off. This was my verification so thank you.
Discount Tire would not replace the stem because the tire was like a month over the “needs to be 10 years or newer” policy. Even after purchasing a tire.
Thanks a lot for this guide! I had the exact same issue over in damp salty Scotland. As you say, pliers just won't budge it.
I was able to cut the 2 stubborn ones off mine using this grinding method. (When my novelty alu caps arrived I noticed they lacked a plastic liner and can't even claim I didn't know better... but I left them a bit loose to account for this which was fine till it was serviced and thoughtfully tightened to **** :D
Glad you, mainly, pronounced Aluminium correctly. Did slip up once though. :)
What timing! Yesterday I just replaced all 4 valve stems in my car (non tpms) because of this exact issue. Here in Northern KY things can get pretty crusty, too :)
2:18 'Aluminum' you were doing so well too Eric! 🤭 I've got Jet Ski's & usually dump the back end of whatever I'm towing them into the Pacific Ocean & have never even given that a second thought! Maybe I check my tyre pressures too often?! 😂 Another great free tip Friday on a Tuesday 👍
Note: Eric redeems his pronunciation at 2:45 (click to listen) so it's O.K.
Took 4 years but they finally got me
“Engage your safety squints” I about lost my mind
That gets me every time.
Hehe. A friend of mine used to use the safety squint method. Then he had to wear an eye-patch for a few weeks…
Those squints are skookum as frig
@@FIveOh150 They are OSHA Approved lol.
@@glenjamindle Yeah, them AvE brand safety squints chooch like no others!
Awesome and good on you for saving that guy some serious bucks. Hopefully he can still return the sensors.
Helpful hints and both were great. I live in the Belt with snow but my 2019 Grand Sport never sees it. Its covered in the heated garage. I think my chrome ones will be OK. Thank you
good tip and advice. lucky that they came to you...saved them some bucks.
Thanks for being a life saver on this. 👍. Cut off wheel does the trick.
I just ran into this for the first time a few years ago. Never used to see this happen, back when we had normal rubber and brass stems. I've also had quite a few with the valve core hopelessly seized inside when they leave the caps off - have to cut or drill the stem out, unless you want to sit there for 20 minutes holding the shrader valve in (I've done that a few times, if the customer doesn't have the dough for new ones). 21st Century quality automotive parts for ya ... 🤢😡
Great tip! 👍👍
Smitty Smithsonite
Yes if you use 2 different metals then it will cause electrolysis and eat away and seize. This is why I only use plastic caps now. However I was a kid once and did the same thing and put chrome caps, of course on brass stems...lol. Dremel got them off. What about tractor tires that have calcium in them that corrode the schraders in.
@@NY411Info - Oh yeah, seen many a tractor rim completely destroyed, once the tube wears away, or gets pinholes and starts leaking, or leaks out the valve stem. Worst stuff ever, although pound for pound it's an excellent ballast.
I had one customer that had some fancy jeweled crown valve caps - every single one had to come off in pieces. What a mess!
I Love your Videos
Off to buy a Dremel tool! Thank you for this video!
Could you please tell me where you got your small tire chaser key - thank you for the great video
Great tip. What a time saver! I like it that you saved the stem.
Totally agree after market stuff =headache. Another great video you da man:))
I learned a new word! Hunkadoria? THX from Denmark! :-)
I’m right now in TX. Lets see, if the texanians know the word Hunky Dory! :-)
I have decorative aluminum faced valve stem covers
But they also have a plastic liner with threads on the inside, so they don't corrode on
$3 at AutoZone
Michael Luscher or a chrome covered plastic pushon cap?
Michael Luscher hell, just squirt greese in it an forget the cap
We had a customer who removed his star shaped cap prior to bringing his car in for service. He used locking pliers and also removed the top 3/8 inch of his valve stem. We put in a new insert for him. The tip of the schrader valve core was sticking up so I was able to let the air out with my finger.
I have black plastic caps on everything I own I like them just fine and my cars look fine and are plenty fast enough too.
@@robc8468 I have the oem plastic gray colored ones on my 03 Ranger. I told the tire shops to make sure when they change the stems I want my caps re-installed. Have not seen gray ones anymore.
The bed time story of dissimilar metals fighting till the very end. LOL Well for one of them anyway! LOL Good old salt! never ends here in Ontario Canada either...
Thank goodness I have a small dremel, I've got to get these off my tires. Ugh! Lesson learned. Just hope I don't mess it up.
Chowdered Up lol.. love it !
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Thanks. I just ran into this problem. The aluminum cap has been on for 15 years. it told me it wasn't coming off LOL
Had the same problem with Stainless Steel caps. Always understood that stainless wouldn't size due to dissimilar metals but had a few problems using ss bolts
There is an anti-corrosive compound called Duralac that I have used with stainless fastenings and so far it seems to have worked very well.
Aluminum valve stem caps? Ain't happening! lol Great tip. Thanks Dr. O!
It’s easy to lubricate the valve stem threads with dielectric grease.
Tire shops in my area get anywhere between $30-50 per sensor, which they want to replace at each tire change.
"[D]ielectric grease;" that answers my question! I should read first and ask questions later! To be certain, you have used this method and it works?
This just happened to me. Stupid NJ. Driving on the beach doesn't help They were only on for 5 months.
My friend had a 2007 Tahoe years ago and broke the TPMS Sensor because of this.. Back then I was like how could that happen and fast forward to today and now I see what happened 😌 Any way thanks Eric!!!
Just worked like a charm. Thank you!
It's a charm when there is no cap at all and the the wrong valve stem core is installed in the tpms valve. Them cores get stuck and at times they break and spin but do not come out. When it's a 1 piece tpms, you find yourself in a pickle. It's mostly with the Kias and Nissans
Wal-mart uses something like the Ken-Tool (C) 29975 - TPMS Hardware Kit. Of course, everything tool related at Wal-mart has the Steelman name on it! The kit we have has about 15 new inserts along with the tools shown.
@@dwaynemadsen964 Isn't it like the one Jim the Car Guy uses? ua-cam.com/video/RjSdvAYIjtE/v-deo.html
I'm in Utica and did this >.< if you were closer, I would have taken my car over to you!
Great video!
I wish I had seen that a year ago, I was trying to help a friend out....
I would also say, if you're going to put any kind of funky caps on there, just put a little dollop of never seize anti seize whatever in there... Seal off the threads from nonsense....
Now that's an honest mechanic. Could have easily just cut the stems and let the air out and then replaced the sensors for some money. But knew of a way to get the caps off and the owner can return the sensors (As I doubt they where low on battery yet)
30 seconds with a cheap torch got mine free without further intervention