Inner tube stems

[Dotto]

Hi all. I found straight stemmed inner tubes on my new to me 1962 M20C. I saw that others had questions on stem angles prior to me replacing mine so I attached the photos of the straight and 70* stems.

[RLCarter]

Yep, there was a discussion on these a few months back. The straight rubber stems fail doe to being in a constant bind, 90° metal stem set too close the wheel. Both make it a PITA to service, 70° stems solves these issues.

[Jim Peace]

OMGosh....

I had to deal with this today.

My plane was brought to the Mooney guru of Florida for its annual.  I asked for new tires all around.  I got the tires but not the tubes I wanted.  I went to pick up my plane and the nose tire was flat and the plane looked like it was outside for days.  I asked how long its been flat and outside and just shoulder shrugs.  

So..now the plan was to change out the tube for another new one except they did not even have anything of quality.  but I was told that the one they would put on should be as good as any....they just wanted me out the door being it was near closing time.  

So I got a POS tube, my plane was filthy and I was on my way.  Two months later now go to the hangar and see my nose tire low...22lbs.  

I cant even get the valve cover off without prying the stem away from the wheel with a tool.  

Even after inflated its a bitch.  

I had a nice metal valve cover on there originally but I just realized they replaced it with a cheap plastic one when they could not fit the metal one.

I have an open checkbook mx policy on this plane and I still have issues.  WTF is wrong with mechanics these days.  You should not need to pry a valve stem off of a wheel to get the cap off.  How can you let it leave a shop like that after an annual.

To take it back would take an entire day out of my life.  Its not around the corner.

 

UPDATE:  MX shop just called me and said my email was threatening and not to bring the plane back.  Here is the email in its entirety :

<<<<<<You just did my annual and we had that issue with my new nose tire and tube being deflated when I picked it up. I knew it would be an issue even when you fixed it and said it would be fine. So just two months after my annual my tire was flat this morning. Went to put air in it and found that the valve stem is so tight against the wheel. Also my metal cap has been replaced by a cheap plastic one. I see this was done because of the spacing. 

So now what do I do? I had a air stop tube on there that never gave me an issue. You threw it away and gave me a substandard replacement. 

It will take a whole day off for me to fly to Avon park.

Just upset. I have an open checkbook mx policy on this plane and with that I still have issues.>>>>>>

 

[Andy95W]

Jim, it sounds like you should be doing more of your own maintenance.  Replacing tires/tubes is preventive maintenance that an owner can legally accomplish on his own, to include logbook entry.  That way, you would’ve been sure to get the tube you wanted.

ISTM a lot of your other issues could also have been avoided by doing more of your own work under the supervision of an A&P.  You keep complaining about mechanics, but it looks like you’re not doing anything different to prevent these problems.

[Jim Peace]

17 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

 You keep complaining about mechanics, but it looks like you’re not doing anything different to prevent these problems.

100% correct....but I am only home a limited amount of time and want to use that time to fly....not get greased up.  Me writing checks as large as it takes should be enough.  But its not.  

So I am not sure what to do at this point.  An owner should be able to communicate what he wants and the mechanic/shop owner should be able to do the job correctly in exchange for money.  

I make sure my checks clear,,,,if we could just get the mechanics to do the job correctly life would be good.  

I know very little about A/C mx procedures.  But I know throttles should not disconnect on the first flight and new tires and tubes should not be flat when picking them up on day 1 from the shop and I have a pretty good idea that carb heat is a required item on a carb equipped airplane not to be dismantled.  Is there really something wrong with me? Or is it that mx shops are running a bit loose with a lack of FAA oversight..

I pay my bills the minute received.  That should be enough. 

[RLCarter]

I’m not sure if the 70° stems are available for the 5” tires on the nose. The nose wheel isn’t near the pain the mains were, or at least not for me. 

[carusoam]

Sounds like it’s time to get to know two mechanics... really well.

and visit both often...

select one that is older with tons of experience...

Select the other who wants to have tons of experience...

Mooney ownership can be decades long... the old guy might retire...

Best regards,

-a-

[A64Pilot]

You need to find a better shop, about the only way is by word of mouth.

‘Not everyone has the knack for turning wrenches, you just have different skill sets is all, I don’t expect my CPA to know how to time magnetos, and  he knows I have no desire to learn about taxes.

‘If you can’t trust then to change a tire, can you trust them to work on your landing gear?

Edited May 4, 2021 by A64Pilot