Schrader Valve Stems (original)

[Charles Reese]

Mounted original Schrader valve stems (renickeled) on modern tubes. Checked underwater for leaks prior to mounting on wheels. Now notice some have developed very slow (i.e., months) leaks, presumptively at the valve itself inside the stem.

Should I have used (now use) some type of ‘sealer’ on the threads of the valve as I was installing them into the stem? Any/other ideas welcomed!

Have watched several FB threads about poor quality of modern tubes; don't recall any of them accusing the rubber tube itself of 'leaking' through its pores? (not talking about splits/blow outs).

[jw hash]

I had one original stem that leaked at the core, I just kept changing the cores until finally one stop the leak. that was over two years ago and still no problem.

[Marco Tahtaras]

More specifics please. How much loss over what specific time? 10 pounds in one year would not be any surprise.

[700rpm]

Material quality seems to be uneven. I bought 5 new tubes last year, and one just would not hold air, even overnight. I gave it a water test and nothing showed up. I sealed the threads on the stem, even though there were no bubbles showing there. I finally gave up and replaced it. I then filled it full of air and put it on my workbench. Y'know what? It held air for four months! I guess the pressure of the weight of the car was too much for it, but it could hold up on the bench? I could have avoided the aggravation by just spending the extra $16 for a new one a year ago.

[Gary Karr]

I had not had good luck with the original long style valve cores but have with the new shorter style. You should not have to use a sealer on them. If you do, you might have problems in removing them down the road.

[msmaron]

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Just had 2 tubes go in a 30 day period from 2 different suppliers.. YES they all come out of Vietman now.. I have been leaning toward using motorcycle tires of the same size. They seem to be much much thicker and heavier..

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by Gary Karr

I had not had good luck with the original long style valve cores but have with the new shorter style. You should not have to use a sealer on them. If you do, you might have problems in removing them down the road.

I have NOS cores in the Roadster. They have much lighter spring pressure than modern long cores so I've been amazed how well they work. They've been in there 18 years now.

I agree, no sealer on the core!

[George Miller]

I use to work for Schrader here in NC. We made tire valves along with cylinders. The tire valve division move on shortly after I started there. You would not want sealer on the threads, that is not where the seal is.

[asapguy]

I just replaced the four tires that were on the ground with Firestone's (19") as the ones on there were 40 yrs old. I installed 4 new metal stem tubes & 3 of them will leak down to 20-25 lbs in 3-4 days. For the side mounts I used two new Universal tires I had so I can get them out of the fenders if needed. In those I used my orig. metal stem tubes that were 40 yrs. old & they hold air. Maybe I'll try to replace the cores & see if that helps.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by msmaron

Just had 2 tubes go in a 30 day period from 2 different suppliers.. YES they all come out of Vietman now.. I have been leaning toward using motorcycle tires of the same size. They seem to be much much thicker and heavier..

I thought we just went thru this where Walt Bratton is having them made offshore but not in Vietnam. His are much better quality and made by an OEM supplier.

Look at THIS and this ↓ .

[msmaron]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I thought we just went thru this where Walt Bratton is having them made offshore but not in Vietnam. His are much better quality and made by an OEM supplier.

Look at THIS and this ↓ .

I disagree with that Brent.. I was told by Brattons to go to UNIVERSAL to buy them as he was having problems. I bought his and bought the one from Universal SAME Exact one and both blew in 30 days..one from the stem area and one from the sides where there was once a label that came off.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by msmaron

I disagree with that Brent.. I was told by Brattons to go to UNIVERSAL to buy them as he was having problems. I bought his and bought the one from Universal SAME Exact one and both blew in 30 days..one from the stem area and one from the sides where there was once a label that came off.

I will be talking with Jeff tomorrow so I will ask but this is news to me as I received a set of 19" tubes about two weeks ago.

[Mitch//pa]

news to me also,
i got 5 19" metal stem tubes a month ago, walt personally told me they are the best out there and he was having no problems...

[Incognito-A]

Has anyone taken over the mantle of original valve stem guru since Doc Kalinka passed away?

[Gary Karr]

I have been selling many sets of original tire valve stems and related parts.