Hey guys, I work for a very reputable tire retailer with over 750 stores nationwide. We were informed by our valve stem manufacturer that there may be an issue with some valve stems that were made from the middle of 06 thru the middle of 07. The valve stems were cracking prematurely and causing the tire to deflate and sometimes blow out. The number of valve stems that were produced was in the millions. This same manufacturer provided several different companies with valve stems. I just recently purchased a 2006 P4 and guess what I found on the trailer, all five stems were cracked. So do yourself a favor and bend them back and forth see if you valve stems are cracked if so save your self a headache and maybe even some $$. Good Luck! Anthony
i also have a 06 p4, mine look good, no cracks, in what i can see, 5 good ones in a million? rubber is cracking at what area?Last edited by brewcat on March 19th, 2009, 3:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
The cracks are were the valve stem meets the wheel. Trust me, we have been changing plenty of these valve stems so I can assure you there are more than 5.
We have seen a limited number of valve stems which necessitated replacement. Though you could bend them back and identify the issue. The numbers we have seen are not large by comparison, and we always felt it was premature, though not limited to the years mentioned either. We always assumed it was related to an imported product, which most valve stems are.
I noticed Sunday that mine were all cracked as well. All 5. They were so rotted that I couldnt believe that the tires were still holding air. I had them replaced at Discount Tire. I bought my 2008 in June of 2007, so I guess mine fell between the dates mentioned. The guys at Discount told me that the stems were Dills, which have been recalled.James
I found the same thing two summers ago. Luckily I was at my brothers automotive shop when it happened, changed them out myself. Mine is an 06 made in late 05. I dont think it is just between those dates. They have a long shelf life, and who knows how long they sit in a bin before they are sold.
We have found this issue to be more prevalent in the last ten years of product. Years ago a tire shop might just throw a new tire on a rim, and not worry about the stems. Lately they all replace the stems with new ones if they are a good shop.Last edited by Bass Cat Boats on May 18th, 2009, 5:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.
I had this happen last Fall. Backed down the ramp at Beeswax at lay, and apparently came close to a piece of rock (rip-rap) someone thought belonged on the ramp. Stem popped where it goes thru the wheel, leaving the rubber nub inside the wheel, valve stem not found. Swapped tires (first clue was a _ton_ of bubbles visible in my drivers side outside mirror). I did check the other two (I bought new tires year before last) and found they looked suspicious and had the tire dealer replace them. They did so at no charge. Best way I could describe them is that they looked sort of “old”. That old dried-rubber look with hairline cracks and even a couple of bigger ones.2008 Pantera Classic2014 Mercury Pro XS 200
I had a chance while working on my trailer today to take a look at my valve stems. This is a 2008 Cougar and Trailer. Two of th four valve stems are cracked so this is not something just for older boat owners to check out. Not trying to cause any issues here but be sure even if your trailer is fairly new to take a look at your valve stems to make sure they are not cracking. Will change all four to be sure and correct any possible future issues.
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