Your vehicle's riding comfort depends on a lot of different components the shocks, struts, noise insulation as well as tires. When it comes to keeping road noise to a minimum and the ride as smooth as possible, proper tire inflation is inevitable. But since the tires are the only vehicle components that are in contact with the road you need to keep them in good shape. Alongside keeping the pressure in your tires at an appropriate level you also need to keep an eye on their physical condition.This includes an often overlooked component, the tyre valve. Just like every single component in your car a valve can encounter issues. Flying debris and the curb can all damage a valve and because of road conditions, they can also be near the end of their lifespan. This is why it's important to replace them just like you replace your tires. But just like the tires, not every valve is the same.
Types of Tire Valves
Tubeless Rubber Snap-In
Tubeless rubber snap-in valves are able to fit either 1.1 cm or 1.6 cm diameter holes. The maximum allowed cold tire inflation of a tubeless rubber snap-in is 4.5 bar. This means that this is not a heavy-duty tire valve. A tubeless rubber snap-in valve is made for use with passenger cars and light-duty trailers and light truck applications too. The majority of these valves use plastic caps but there are some fitted with chrome sleeves and even metal caps for better aesthetics.
Tubeless (Snap-In) High-Pressure
If you want a heavy-duty tire valve then you should go with one that exceeds a maximum cold tire inflation pressure of 4.5 bar. This is known as a tubeless snap-in high-pressure valve which is ideal for use with heavy trucks and trailers. The 1.1 cm rim hole version of these tyre valves usually has a maximum cold tire inflation pressure of 5.5 bar while the 1.6 cm version has a maximum cold tire inflation pressure of 7 bar.
High-Pressure Metal Clamp-In
A tyre valve that can be used on any type of wheel no matter its size and the pressure levels needed for the tire is a high-pressure metal clamp-in valve. These tyre valves work with every type of track activity and especially in situations when speeds exceed over 200 km/ h. A high-pressure metal clamp-in valve can also withstand a maximum operating pressure of 13 bar. Alongside the 1.1 cm and 1.6 cm rim holes, high-pressure metal clamp-in valves can be fitted in 6 mm and 8 mm rim holes.
How to Replace Tire Valves
1. Replacing a tyre valve requires you to have a certain set of tools. These include an air compressor, tire iron, needle nose pliers, lug nut wrench, valve stem removal tool, jack, and jack stands.2. The first thing you need to do in order to replace the tire stem valve is to loosen the lug nuts of the wheel. Then, you need to raise the car on the jack stands and engage the parking brake. Raise the vehicle so you have enough room to work on the wheel and then secure it on the jack stands.3. Once secure, remove the wheel from the car and set it flat on the ground. After that, deflate the tire by removing the cap on the valve stem and then removing the stem core with the removal tool. This will release the air from the wheel and the tire will deflate on its own. 4. This next step requires the use of a sledgehammer. With it, you should separate the tire's bead from the wheel. The bead needs to break free from the wheel when you hit the sidewall of the tire. You will hear a popping or a cracking sound once the bead is free from the wheel. The tire will be separated from the lip of the wheel once the bead is off. 5. With the bead broken free from the wheel, do the same thing using the sledgehammer all around the tire. When you've done that, place the tire iron between the inside lip of the tire and the edge of the rim and lift the lip from the wheel. By prying upward you pull the lip off the tire over the edge of the wheel which helps remove the tire completely. 6. To take the tire off you'll need to work the tire iron around the entire diameter of the rim. When the tire is removed from the wheel you can remove the valve stem. You should use the needle nose pliers for this as you need to pull the valve stem from the wheel. 7. Once the old valve stem is removed, place the new one by installing it from the inside of the wheel. When the valve stem is in position pull it through with the pliers. Once done, reinstall the tire, inflate it, fasten the lug nuts and you're done.
