Steel valve stems

[AnD3rew]

INEOS has used steel valve stems (thanks @Jean Mercier for the picture) to reduce the risk of damage to them when spinning in mud and sand etc. In theory this sounds like a good idea. But I do wonder whether it’s actually true? I wonder in fact if a rigid stem is actually more likely to get bent or damaged than rubber or plastic as it has no give, whereas a more flexible one might bend as you brush past an obstacle and return once past?

 

[Krabby]

I’ve had that exact same though. Only time will tell once these trucks are in the wild.

 

[Barney]

Or a forgotten part from the 3D printer?

 

[Eric]

INEOS has used steel valve stems (thanks @Jean Mercier for the picture) to reduce the risk of damage to them when spinning in mud and sand etc. In theory this sounds like a good idea. But I do wonder whether it’s actually true? I wonder in fact if a rigid stem is actually more likely to get bent or damaged than rubber or plastic as it has no give, whereas a more flexible one might bend as you brush past an obstacle and return once past?


View attachment 7803628

They have been standard on L/R Discovery for years so should be time tested.

 

[AnD3rew]

They have been standard on L/R Discovery for years so should be time tested.

Really? I have to admit to not having a clear memory but I don’t recall my D3 having them? Very possible I am wrong though

 

[Eric]

Really? I have to admit to not having a clear memory but I don’t recall my D3 having them? Very possible I am wrong though

Can't remember on my D2 nor D3 but my D4 definitely has!

 

[CountyV8]

Another image and the inside of the wheel suggest its a hole in the rim with steel insert . Other Image is Alloy wheel.

 

[TD5-90]

Maybe the tire pressure monitoring system requires metal valves? How otherwise would it be possible to fix the electronic part to the rim?

 

[Tazzieman]

I trust they are suitably coated to prevent galvanic corrosion

 

[ECrider]

Maybe the tire pressure monitoring system requires metal valves? How otherwise would it be possible to fix the electronic part to the rim?

that's what I am thinking. Only car we have with them is the RR and that's the only one with pressure monitoring system. Its also the newest car at 4 years old.

 

[Eric]

I trust they are suitably coated to prevent galvanic corrosion

I learned the hard way, both my cars had aluminium valve caps without coating. The Fiat 124 spider had to have the valves cut off, and the L/R now has copper grease

 

[Tazzieman]

I'm assuming the stems pass through a rubber grommet.

 

[AnD3rew]

I'm assuming the stems pass through a rubber grommet.

Yep

 

[DaveB]

Maybe the tire pressure monitoring system requires metal valves? How otherwise would it be possible to fix the electronic part to the rim?

There are a couple of ways it can be done

 

[DaveB]

that's what I am thinking. Only car we have with them is the RR and that's the only one with pressure monitoring system. Its also the newest car at 4 years old.

I drove a Fiat 500 in Sardinia and Sicily in 2019 that had it.
Just told me one of the tyres was low not which one
my 2014 MB has it also

 

[Tazzieman]

I drove a Fiat 500 in Sardinia and Sicily in 2019 that had it.
Just told me one of the tyres was low not which one
my 2014 MB has it also

Our Volvo has it but uses wheel speeds to assess. Thus it's not failsafe and needs a reset now and again.
My '94 Disco has it. $35 delivered , and it's worked extremely well in all conditions for 3 years Tells me wheel temps also , useful if you are heating up a bearing...

 

[Hannes01]

Porsche
uses steel valves, rubber valves can overturn at high speeds due to centrifugal force and lose air.
thank god for the german autobahn, my 911 runs ~ 320 km/h

 

[trobex]

I trust they are suitably coated to prevent galvanic corrosion

If these are just gal steel - then I'll be recoating them.

 

[TD5-90]

There are a couple of ways it can be done
View attachment 7803640View attachment 7803641

(2) would be clearly better, in case of damage of the valve oly the simple valve would have to be replaced.
I strongly doubt, however, that we will get (2), since the valves on my Passat look very much alike to what's been posted here.