Can I replace my valve stems without dismounting the tire?

2022 Tacoma, 5k miles on it, and 4500 miles on a set of BFG KO2's installed by Costco. Since installation, two of the tires lose 5-7 PSI monthly and a third tire loses 10-12 PSI in the same time frame. It's annoying, and I am assuming the valve stems are leaking. It's a TRD model and does have the tire pressure sensors with the 17 inch wheels.

I barged the truck to a tiny remote island with no services (no tire shops, mechanics, etc). Can I replace the valve stems without dismounting the tire? Otherwise it would cost me roughly $1200 to air cargo them off island, get fixed, and sent back, in which case I will continue to live with it until the tires reach end of life, probably in 5 to 7 years.

 

Yes, they just unscrew

 

Have you applied some soapy water to the valve stems to verify your suspicion?

The tire is going to have to be dismounted to change the stem. Not much you can do about that.

 

Those are the cores, yes thos can be replaced without removing the tire.

 

Those pictured above are valve cores. Which can be replaced as it sits. You can also replace the stems without removing the tire but you have to break the bead in order to gain access. So yes, but you still need access to a tire machine.

 

Do you mean the entire stem or the Schrader valve inside the stem?

 

You can do it with only popping one bead. That could be rough in your situation. I would suggest mixing up some water and dish soap to use to try to locate the leak before you go too far.

 

There are a few good, inexpensive beadbreakers like harbor freight s version. You should get one shipped along with tire tools.

 

Four common ways you could be losing air.
1. Puncture
2. Leaking at the bead
3. Leaking around the outside of the valve stem
4. Leaking through the valve stem

Get a spray bottle with soapy water and get ready to do some detective work. Take each wheel off and spray the tire down with soapy water.

1. Roll the tire along, spraying as needed and inspect the tread and side walls for any leaks.
2. Lay the tire flat and spray around the bead. Flip and check bead on other side.
3. Spray around valve stem and check for bubbles on the outside, at the wheel surface.
4. Remove the valve stem cap and spray, check for leaking core.

1. Puncture? Plug or repair or replace, depending on situation.
2. Bead leak? Get that HF tire tool and break the bead. Inspect, clean and re-seat the tire.
3. Valve stem exterior? Deflate tire, work stem around, spray Fluid Film between stem and wheel and work it in. Re-inflate and re-inspect. If that doesn’t fix it, you may need to break the bead, pull the stem out, clean the stem hole and then re-install the stem.
4. Valve core leak? Easy-peasy. Deflate tire and remove old core. Replace with new core.

Any other tips or tricks, please let the OP know.

Edit: Or…. Try replacing all four valve cores first and see if that solves the problem. If not, then you break out the soapy water. Good luck!

 

There is a technique with a floor jack and ratchet strap to pop the bead. I can elaborate if needed. I replaced all my TPMS sensors. It was time consuming but not terribly difficult.



Replacing the valve cores is easiest. Actually even easier is to just use a valve core tool to make sure the cores are not loose.

The factory TPMS sensors have metal valve stems, and the stems are built into the sensors. There is a nut that tightens the stem/sensor into the wheel. There's a torque spec, but it's pretty low (edit: 4Nm). Hand tight is probably good. There's an aluminum washer that sits under the nut, and could be a source of leaks if it's missing. A TPMS service kit will have replacement washer, nut, valve core, and rubber gasket (sits on the sensor on the inside of the wheel). You could probably replace the nut and washer without breaking the bead (do NOT drop the sensor in the wheel, it's no fun to fish out). You'd have to pull the sensor out to replace the rubber gasket. Sensor on the left is the newer style. On the right was in my 4th gen 4Runner. The black ring is a rubber gasket. The aluminum washer is missing in this picture.



If you have rubber valve stems then you probably have aftermarket TPMS sensors. Those stems are replaceable, but you need to pop the bead, unscrew the sensor with a tiny torx key, replace the stem, and screw the sensor back on. It's very difficult to do without completely removing the tire. Since I was replacing sensors anyway I just cut them. Damaged my diagonal cutters in the process. Actually these sensors might still be usable with new stems.

 

Of course you can replace your valve stems!

Don't forget wheel chocks and parking brake before you begin.

1. Break the lug nuts loose (1/4 turn) with the wheel on the ground.
2. Jack up the wheel in question, remove lug nuts and wheel.
3. install the lug nuts to secure the rotor.
3. Using the previously discussed tool, remove the valve core.
4. Place the wheel, with bead adjacent to valve stem, under the rotor.
5. Place a piece of wood (2X4) between the rotor and tire bead.
6. lower the truck to separate bead.
7. Raise truck/reposition block/wheel to provide sufficient access to remove/replace the valve stem.

Alternative: Put the wheel on the boat and carry it to the mainland for service at a garage/shop.

 

thats not the valve stem skippy

 

make soapy water in squirt bottle, put 40 psi in each tire and spray valves to see if bubbles, or
put it in a water tank, or tub to look for bubbles or squirt soapy water on tread.....slow process and a slow leak will be hard to find......did you air down for the beach? maybe sand in the rim bead seal, or put slime in tires.....or just keep airing them up.....live with it

 

P.S.
i would 200 bucks on a good electric compressor before i sent wheels off to be maybe? fixed.

 

Excellent advice.

 

I've used this method for mounting up motorcycle tires. I have only changed one automotive tire (the spare on my Taco). It was a lot harder with my light duty changer, but this 2x4 method worked to break the beads.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-tire-bead-breaker/

If you need to break the beads, I would try the jack method above first, but if you don't have the tools, the 2x4 method is great. Of course, use the tow hitch.

Good luck!

 

I have a set of these Colby valve stem replacements for emergencies, though don't know if it's good for long term or tpms. Installs from the outside.

$28 Colby Valve Quick Emergency Valve Stem Replacement Kit for Tubeless Tires | No Tools Required for Install | No Need to Remove Tire | Tire Valve Stem Kit Made in USA from quality 360 brass components

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NARX3H8

 

You can break the bead with a piece 2x6 and a vehicle to drive up it. I used to do it all the time begire I bought the tool from Harbor Freight. I've also broken beads with the forks of a forklift.

This video shows basically how I would do it except I'd put it on the driver's side so I could hang my head out the window and see if I was going to go too far.

https://youtu.be/6K3NZhiji0Q?si=pfa3_bCOR8Z9q47P

 

Hahaha! A friend and I needed to do that with some ATV wheels. The step for the bead was so freaking deep that nothing but a shop tool would have worked. So, running them over with a Cheby 2500 was all that we had.


I would say that I would not do that with any nice wheels though. We were just at the DGAF point and it was only an 80cc ATV.

 

@tonered I hear you. On the occasion I had to do it with nice wheels I layed a piece of plywood on the ground and put a folded moving blanket on it begire putting the wheel on top of that. In fact since my driveway is gravel I did the plywood every time.