Tire Stem Failures

[Gliddenwoods]

On the road for a couple months and I have had two tire stem failures within a two week period. The rubber stem on both failed with similar 1/8" to 1/4" horizontal failures.

Replacing with steel stems during repairs.

Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires on 2022 Oliver II at 50 psi.

Causes?

*Bad luck, *Tire brand, *Tire age,  *PSI, *Tire Pressure Minder, *Rubber stems, *Mountain curve roads, *Driving speed, *Life...

Thoughts and wisdom?

 

[Mike and Carol]

Do you have TPMS sensors mounted on your rubber stems?  When I got the TST TPMS I also had my rubber stems replaced with metal stems.  That was about 100K miles ago and no problems.  I think replacing your rubber stems is the way to go.  Mike

[Boudicca908]

37 minutes ago, Gliddenwoods said:

Cooper Discoverer HT3 tires on 2022 Oliver II at 50 psi

Oh boy. 

Same year (2022 Oliver LE2) and same tire for me, and I just experienced a tire stem failure a week ago. Didn't think to ask to see the stem after the repair, to ascertain the type of failure. Also I didn't know there would be options on the type of stem to replace it with, but now I feel my other tires might be suspect. 

Right now, my spare (previously un-used) is still on my Oliver -- not sure if that is a good or bad thing. 

I will be watching your thread here for other info. 

[jd1923]

Prior owner had installed steel valve stems on the Oliver, always been good. When I upgraded the truck with 3rd Gen Dodge wheels, I mounted with steel stems.

Neither stem should fail, unless there is something about the wheel design, how the machined opening for the stem could be an issue cutting into the rubber. Question is, was the stem physically damaged or replaced because for leaking. 

[mountainoliver]

If you have a tire pressure monitor added to the stems excessive flexing caused by the weight of the sensors will fatigue the rubber portion. Plus today’s rubber products sometimes seem to weather rot more quickly. I was lucky in that I never had a stem failure in the seven years before I replaced my tires and changed the stems to nickel plated brass stems. In any event, it would be a good idea to carry emergency replacement stems. I carry these that can be replaced from the outside. Even the metal ones can be hit by a rock or other road trash and be broken. Thankfully I’ve never needed to use them!

[Gliddenwoods]

[Gliddenwoods]

New steel stems.

Installed on all tires.

$6.00/tire installed.

The journey continues on...

[jd1923]

2 hours ago, Gliddenwoods said:

Rim design really has the stems on the edge, sticking out. Got to be careful with the steel ones too!

[topgun2]

Here is a link to the emergency valve stems.

Bill

[Boudicca908]

I was looking at my OTT Service Tickets today and was reminded that Cooper Tire had a problem with valve stems (my Oliver is a 2022) -- they reimbursed the Owners after the stems were replaced (locally done). The service notes include OTT Service Dept's surprise and my dismay at the cost ($90 for the work done here locally in Lee County Florida); OTT Service Dept said it would normally only cost $10 to $25.  Anyway, I had forgotten all about that issue with the Cooper tires. 

Last week, after this forum discussion, I went to a reputable tire place to inquire about getting valve stems replaced (putting in metal where I have rubber)... I can't get my Oliver into their lot, and I'm not allowed to do the work where I store my Oliver, so it was going to require a Mobile Service, and I planned to take my Oliver to a large parking lot 2 blocks from the tire place. They quoted me $250 and when he saw the shock on my face, he explained that the metal valve stems cost $25 each (someone on the Forum just quoted $6 each) and he said he wasn't even charging me for the Mobile service! He offered to do it for $200. Needless to say, I will forgo that for now. 

[Tom and Doreen]

Wow-zers!! We had ours replaced (all of them including the spare) just outside of Yellowstone at a Discount Tire shop for around $42!  I thought that was maybe a mistake on their part as it seemed too low, but that's what they charged us.  

Edited 4 hours ago by Tom and Doreen

[Boudicca908]

23 minutes ago, Tom and Doreen said:

just outside of Yellowstone at a Discount Tire shop for around $42!

I found my receipt from 2023 -- that local place (Horner's in Punta Gorda) charged $90 to replace the stems on all five tires.  Compared to the closer place quote of $200, Horner's is a deal. 

[HDRider]

On 5/4/2026 at 10:25 AM, Gliddenwoods said:

*Tire Pressure Minder

This

[Mike and Carol]

Discount Tire here in Boerne was much cheaper!

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:

He offered to do it for $200. Needless to say, I will forgo that for now. 

For sure! Best to install new valve stems with new tires! That way your not paying for mount & balance twice, just parts cost.

I’d leave them alone for now but get the Colby stems Ken showed above in case of failure during travels. They are now in my toolbox and I have steel stems on truck and trailer. Hope I don’t need them, but any kind of stem can fail. It’s good insurance! 😎

Edited 37 minutes ago by jd1923