Small diameter valve stems on wheels

[DGajre777]

This is not really a handling question, so I put this in here. I bought these on ebay a few days ago -

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4 BRAND NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE SMALL DIAMETER CHROME METAL VALVE STEMS WITH CAPS
The effective length is 1 inch. These are automotive small diameter valve stems for 3 piece and Japan wheels which have a .23" diameter valve stem hole.

They fit in my wheel, but it seems like the way to install these is to have both the rubber pieces together and then tighten them so that the rubber expands and makes a seal in the valve stem hole. It worked for 1 wheel and then on the second wheel no matter what I did, it would keep poping off or come off when I put some pressure on it.

Is there something I don't know? Do you install these some other way? Can I just get some damn washers and make sure that the don't move? My wife says I should have it "professionally installed".

 

[broady98]

What rims do you have?If they are stock rims chances are they are the .453” diameter valve stem hole that is pretty much standard for all car and trucks.Also check around the valve stem hole on the rim to see if it has been filed out.Some tire shops will file out the hole for various reasons.Oxidation,rust,leaking valve stem.Some do it to MAKE the valve stem leak so you have to keep coming back and eventually buy a new rim from them.I used to manage a tire shop so I have seen things like this before.
Usually it just means that it is the wrong size which can be very very dangerous.If you get enough pressure on the tire and the valve stem pops......your probably going to end up in the hospital.My advice is to take one of the rubber seals (by itself)and place it in the valve stem hole.If it doesn't look like i tis going to seal up very well I would ask for a refund from the seller or just buy the correct size.
It is something you can do without taking it to a shop but you have to be carefull.I have seen and recieved many injuries for trying to use the wrong valve stem.Good luck!!!


p.s. pics would be very helpfull.

 

[DGajre777]

My advice is to take one of the rubber seals (by itself)and place it in the valve stem hole.If it doesn't look like i tis going to seal up very well I would ask for a refund from the seller or just buy the correct size.

Thanks for your input. I believe I bought the wrong ones because the rubber part will go in and out of the valve stem hole in the wheel.

The wheels I have are new Racing Sparco DS1s with a 0.23" diameter valve stem hole. I bought them online from Discount tire, but I can't find them on their website anymore. The standard 0.453" valve stems with the rubber end on them are too big (I tried the ones that look like the pic below.)

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EDIT: Maybe this is what I need... I'm thinking maybe the one's below might fit because the hole might be big enough and it doesn't have any big fat rubber ends on it.

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4 BRAND NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE CHROME METAL STEMS WITH CAPS
The effective length is 7/8 inch. These are Enkei Style (hidden bolt style) stems to fit a standard .453" diameter valve stem hole.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/chro...emQQcategoryZ33747QQihZ007QQitemZ170027722732