How to Replace a Tire Valve Stem on a Car

The tire valve stem on a car, called a Schrader valve, uses a pin in its center to help keep the air inside the tire. The stem itself is held to the inside of the wheel by air pressure; you must release this air pressure to remove the stem. One of the first places where air leaks out of a tire is the valve stem. When this tiny piece of rubber fails, you must replace it.

Things You'll Need

• Valve stem removal tool
• Crowbar
• Air compressor

Instructions

1. Remove the valve stem cap.

2. Press the tip of the valve stem removal tool into the valve to release the air in the tire until no more air comes out of the stem or the tire has deflated significantly.

3. Press the valve stem removal tool over the end of the valve, and turn the valve counterclockwise to remove it.

4. Wedge the crowbar underneath the edge of the tire where the tire meets the wheel. Pry down on the tire to separate it from the wheel.

5. Remove the valve stem from inside the tire. Pull the valve stem off the inside of the tire with your fingers (there is nothing holding it in place now), and replace it with a new tire valve stem. Orient the new valve stem inside the tire in the same way that the old valve stem was oriented.

6. Hold the tip of the valve stem while you use the valve stem removal tool to tighten the valve pin. Turn the pin clockwise to tighten it.

7. Fill the tire with air by placing the air chuck on the end of the air compressor hose over your tire's new valve stem. Hold onto the end of the valve stem while doing this. As the tire begins to inflate, the air pressure will force the back of the valve to the inside of the tire, and you will no longer need to hold the valve in place.

References

• "Automotive Tools Manual: Guide to Buying and Using Automotive Tools"; Thomson Delmar Learning; 1999
• "Auto Body Repair Technology, 5th Edition"; James E. Duffy, Cengage Learning; 2009