Wheel valves

[andycaca]

gooooood morning everyone
I am thinking about having my 20" FE wheels refurbished (repolished and lacquered) and i would like to replace the black tyre valves with something that blends in better.

having had a look online yesterday, there are a few different diameters of valve that you can buy. i even saw some rather fetching hand grenade style valve caps (that i wont be buying!)

does anyone know what the correct tyre valve diameter is for the FE 20" wheels? I guess TR414 is an industry standard size, but like all standards there is more than one!
TR418 is another size that fits 11.5mm holes.
TR414 is 11.3mm


aargh! please help

[The_Laird]

That's interesting, I didn't even consider different valves. I've tried 'chrome' valve covers, but they look rubbish quite quickly.

What kind of valve have you been looking at?

[andycaca]

i was just looking generally. i quite like the look of the flush fit ones, or small silver ones that wont stick out like a sore thumb against the polished alloy

i have a couple of very slow leaks on two wheels at the minute, which i think are down to the valves.

[moltuae]

I've just had my spare set of wheels refurbished and a new set of tyres fitted. I decided to replace my TPMS too with this kit:
http://www.steel-mate.co.uk/acatalog...02.html#SID=31

The sensors in that kit replace the usual black rubber valve with an attractive looking aluminium valve and cap. I'll take a photo later if you like so you can see how they look installed.

I previously had this TPMS kit, which uses external screw-on sensors. The system worked well, but I much prefer the look of the new ones.

[ainarssems]

I have flush fit valves on both S8 and A6

[andycaca]

Originally Posted by moltuae

I've just had my spare set of wheels refurbished and a new set of tyres fitted. I decided to replace my TPMS too with this kit:
http://www.steel-mate.co.uk/acatalog...02.html#SID=31

The sensors in that kit replace the usual black rubber valve with an attractive looking aluminium valve and cap. I'll take a photo later if you like so you can see how they look installed.

I previously had this TPMS kit, which uses external screw-on sensors. The system worked well, but I much prefer the look of the new ones.

my car already has TPMS, but i guess the wheels dont. do you know anything about getting the correct audi ones, so it integrates with the DIS?

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by andycaca

my car already has TPMS, but i guess the wheels dont. do you know anything about getting the correct audi ones, so it integrates with the DIS?

I don't know a lot about the integrated TPMS to be honest but, if your wheels don't have pressure sensors, then I guess the system must be ABS based (ie based on assumptions made by calculating rotational differences). The sensors I'm using transmit (via RF) actual type pressure and temperature to a small receiver which can relay the readings to a smart phone/tablet.

[andycaca]

little update on the tyres.

refurbishment: i visited BA wheels in norwich following recommendations. for a drive in/drive out service i was quoted £380 for all 4 wheels. this includes refurb (but no welding or straightening) of kerbing scrapes and powder coating in a reflective chrome finish. he would need to keep the car for 2 or 3 days in order to do a proper job. the chrome powder coating needs extra steps apparently, otherwise it could be done in one day.


tyre valves: i got bored today so bought a 4-in1 tyre valve tool from halfords and a set of 4 short valve cores (off the shelf!). replacing the cores was very easy indeed. just unscrew, clean the thread and screw the new core in.

i had two tyres that would deflate fairly rapidly, so i have replaced the core in the two valves and pumped all tyres up to 39psi.

now to wait and see if they go down...


its funny to think that of all the car related stuff i have ever done (building engines, welding up parts, wiring up ECU i have never touched the wheels!

now its time for a massive sausage buttie!!

[andycaca]

update on the update
the tyres still went down, so replacing the core did no good.
i bought a tyre valve removal kit off ebay and took a punt on some replacement valves

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Laser-5540...-/252049757564

and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-X-TR414-...-/131583148904

i have just replaced one of the valves using the above tool, suprisingly easy to get the old one out, the new one went in at my third attempt. something that needs technique which you will pick up after a few tries.

so, its just to wait and see if the pressure drops in the wheel now. hopefully not.

and for anyone pondering the same question that kicked all this off, the tyre valve size needed is TR414, the most common size

[moltuae]

Interesting method of replacing the valve body. Never knew such a tool existed!

I think I would've preferred to fit them from the back though (or paid someone to do it) to be certain of a good clean seal.

Were the valve bodies not replaced after refurbing the wheels?