Wheel valve caps stuck

[4Wheelin]

I put a set of blue metal valve caps on my tire valves and i can't get them off. They have been on for like a year and a half and I have tried everything possible to get them off. I held the stem with vice grips and tried turning with pliers, I even used some WD40 and that didn't get them to break loose either. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jimbo74]

if it isnt a big deal, go to a tire shop have them pop the valve and put a new stem on.....maybe it is just something i would do...i do that stuff for free. i used to work @ a tire co so i still have friends there.

 

[fixer]

WD-40 is not a very good lube, try a little ATF and after that soaks in overnight clean the ATF off and try heating it with a match or lighter, then use visegrips to twist 'em off.

replacing the valve stems is always an option.

 

[4Wheelin]

How much would it cost to replace the stems?

 

[IgotTwo]

How about Sears strap wrench ? Bob Villa seems to think it can work on everything. Who could argue with the commerical king of tools?
(sorry couldn't resist the comment)

Is there a lesson learned?
I kept the stock gray valve stem caps. If fact when I got replacement tires, I told them to save em. When the guy looked at me funny, I said "do you know where to get gray caps? Need I say more. Best of all they are always easy to remove. Sometimes it pays to keep it simple. Or perhaps it has something to do with being boring.
Work on em, I'm sure you'll get em off!

 

[J. Kennedy]

Remember...its "rightey - tightey, leftey - loosey."

Glad I could help. JK

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by 4Wheelin
How much would it cost to replace the stems?

it depends where you go... i think they ATC charges $2.50 per stem, but mine are always free or $.25 b/c i used to work there...

 

[fixer]

Originally posted by IgotTwo
How about Sears strap wrench ? Bob Villa seems to think it can work on everything. Who could argue with the commerical king of tools?
(sorry couldn't resist the comment)

uhh, i think the valve caps are a bit small for a strap wrench, despite what Bob (tool *****) Villa might sell, err... say.