Help with a stupid question!

[PTK]

Had to add a little air to nose tire prior to today's flight. I have the wheel covers and it's a little pain to have to remove it and put it back. It does have a hole on it, presumably for a valve stem extension, which would definitely make it easier to check tire pressure and add air.

Does anyone know what angle and length stem extension it calls for?

Edited October 23, 2015 by PTK

[BillC]

There is an extension available at any auto parts store that allows you to screw it on to the valve stem and fill the tire. It's metal and about 5" long. When done, simply unscrew the extension and keep it with your fly away kit (sump drain cup, pitot cover, etc). The only problem there may be is getting off the valve stem cap with the hubcap on. 

[DonMuncy]

I use a solid valve stem extension I got from Pep Boys, that is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. It easily screws onto the stem with a hubcap in place.

[PTK]

I was looking on ebay and in addition to straight ones they have several angles: 45°, 90° and 135°. 

So you guys use a straight one, 0° extension then? 

Sounds too easy!  I thought for sure the stem had to be on an angle to the hole on the cap.

 

Edited October 24, 2015 by PTK

[bonal]

Went to your gallery that sure is a nice looking aircraft.. I mean airplane

[PTK]

Thank you Bonal!

 

[Guest]

Went to your gallery that sure is a nice looking aircraft.. I mean airplane

Wouldn't that be an aeroplane?

Clarence

[Hank]

The state may just consider it another motor vehicle . . .

[jetdriven]

Remember it must be FAA approved or your insurance won't pay.   

[PTK]

You guys lost me!

It is a "motor vehicle!" and FAA approved!

This must be one of those infamous, disgraceful, dishonorable, contemtible, shameful, etc. etc. MS thread drifts!

 

Edited October 24, 2015 by PTK

[bonal]

Not sure how hard it is to remove replace the cover isn't it just 3 screws. If install an extension does it require the removal of the stem core from the tube if so do you trust the extension to be as reliable some of them can be pretty cheaply made. I've never used one on my vehicles but I've heard stories.

[DonMuncy]

Not sure how hard it is to remove replace the cover isn't it just 3 screws. If install an extension does it require the removal of the stem core from the tube if so do you trust the extension to be as reliable some of them can be pretty cheaply made. I've never used one on my vehicles but I've heard stories.

I'm not absolutely certain I understand your question. What I was taking about is an extension you temporarily screw onto a tube's valve stem to check pressure and add air. Then unscrew it and put the plug back into the hubcap.

[bonal]

How hard to remove cover to add air is self explanatory in order to use an extension you would have to remove the valve cap that would require removing the wheel cover anyway and you would have to leave the cap off (not recommended) in order to attach the extension for adding air. If you choose to install an extension permanently  that protrudes through the hole that would be the only thing preventing air loss and if it's cheaply made well...Also if you use a temporary extension you still have to remove wheel cover to check air pressure unless you leave the valve cap off. How often do you need to add air and how difficult is it to just remove the wheel cover. I only add air maybe twice a year other than at annual.

Edited October 24, 2015 by bonal

[DonMuncy]

I leave the valve caps off mine. Behind the hubcap, dirt, etc. is not a problem. I have never considered the cap to be a "anti-leak" device. But you are right, it isn't a big deal to take a hubcap off. I just prefer to pop the plug out, screw on the extension and check the pressure every few flights. 

[bonal]

Probably not a big deal but if the O ring fails or the core fails then yes the cap would add a second prevention for air loss I wonder if the caps are required equipment 

[jetdriven]

Dill 6541.  http://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/4674/6541n-valve-extension-nickel-plated-qty1-di6541n

[PTK]

Auto store was closed this morning. Went flying early. But I examined the hub cap and hole closely. The valve is right inside the hole a little off center.

I stopped at Autozone and bought this extension. It threads on the valve stem replacing the cap. No threads to put a cap on it though. I'm going to try it and hopefully it will not stick out too much and interfere. I'd like to just leave it on there.

P

Edited October 24, 2015 by PTK

[jetdriven]

I wouldn't trust that plastic thing. If you land with a nose tire that goes flat you close the runway and the prop is only an inch or so from the pavement. 

[PTK]

That looks perfect Byron. Thanks!

Looks to be about .5 inch shorter and can put cap on it. 

I'm going to check local Pep Boys and see if they have something similar. Shipping is a killer on a 1$ item!

edit. I hear you Byron and the more I think about it I agree. I won't use it. Not worth it.

Edited October 24, 2015 by PTK

[bonal]

I recon as long as the stock core remains in the stem should be Ok but I would definitely want a cap. We all have enough to think about when it comes to our landing gear adding weather your tire pressure is good because you added another component is well

food for thought

[HRM]

Had to add a little air to nose tire prior to today's flight. I have the wheel covers and it's a little pain to have to remove it and put it back. 

 Why not just leave the covers off? It's a retractable, no?

Just put them back on for the next concours d'elegance.

[jetdriven]

That looks perfect Byron. Thanks!

Looks to be about .5 inch shorter and can put cap on it. 

I'm going to check local Pep Boys and see if they have something similar. Shipping is a killer on a 1$ item!

edit. I hear you Byron and the more I think about it I agree. I won't use it. Not worth it.

order two and I'll split the shipping w u.  I have the same problem.  Send mine in a 32 cent stamped envelope. 

[PTK]

Are you certain this is what we need and that it'll work Byron?

If so I'll order two and send you one. You want nickel plated, chrome plated or brass? PM me your address and don't worry about the money! You can buy me a beer or three if we ever run into each other!

Edited October 24, 2015 by PTK

[Guest]

I wouldn't trust that plastic thing. If you land with a nose tire that goes flat you close the runway and the prop is only an inch or so from the pavement. 

I have to use one of these to add air to my RV4 tires.  I just take it off when finished.

Clarence

[cliffy]

Have you thought of wheel balance at take off if you leave it on?

How about centrifugal force slinging it around at the rpm of the wheel at 70 kts? Even if its light weight!

Also makes a pretty long arm to be slinging around hanging on the end of the tube valve stem at high RPM. What if it (and it will) breaks the rubber valve stem from the tube right at the exit from the wheel with all that force at T/O?

Will the wheel cover cut the side of the extension if it sticks through because of centrifugal force?

The red dot on the side of the tire marks the light side of same and the tube valve stem 

aligns with that when the tire is installed for proper balance. Now add you little ditty there and where 

is your balance at 70 kts RPM?  (several hundred RPM).

Any bending of the tube valve stem will induce stress cracking and early failure of the stem. 

Using a long stem tube instead of a short stem tube will cause the same failure mode.

Just askin'