Brakes Wheels 2nd Gen Tires Most liked posts in thread: Securing the Valve Stem Caps

I'm staying with the plastic ones Zippy. Less unsprung weight. :smilewinkgrin:

 

That and staring at the nail polish rack for hours to get that perfect shade just for you. :biggrin5:

 

Bring them to MOTD...I'll take them off your hands! I have juuuust the perfect nail polish color to compliment them! :devil:

 

Warning,
my brother bough some fancy aluminum valve caps for his Vette. They oxidized on to his valve stems, he had to have the valve stems replaced so he could add air.

 

You can get brass ones with a tiny o-ring on the inside...the outside is chromed....that way it is brass on brass...worried...add a tiny dab of lube on the threads to prevent corrosion.

 

Just buy the brass/chrome ones with the 3/8" hex heads. Tighten them up and keep the wrench in the glove box.

If the little bas***** (er, uhh, punks I mean) get 'em after that, it was meant to be..... :beer

 

Both act as an adhesive [when dry] that keep screwed in nuts [in this case, tire valve caps] from loosening easily. The Loctite is especially made to do this but the fingernail polish does a credible job, too. When they are dry, it takes a bit more than just fingertip pressure to break the seal to remove the nuts [or, in this case, the caps]. Usually pliers can be used to break the seal and most kids do not run around with pliers in their pockets...lol.

 

I like to match the colors of my MINIS...Royal Grey, Pepper White, and Silk Green. So, as you can see, the time spent is not that much and one bottle of each will last the life of each car! :devil:

 

I have used nail polish as a torque indicator (allows for a visual check against loosening nuts) as well, stuff comes in handy :crazy: though does nothing for the nuts loosening in my head

 

Yes Jim they are supercharged! :arf:

 

Once they color them..... They are no longer invisible....

 

There are locking valve stem caps on the market. Usually held in place with a set screw so one needs an allen wrench to remove them.

See [ame="http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTITHEFT-LOCK-Wheel-Tire-Valve-Stem-Cap-MINI-CLUBMAN-COUNTRYMAN-COUPE-PACEMAN-/141028511869?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20d5f4507d&vxp=mtr"]Antitheft Lock Wheel Tire Valve Stem Cap Mini Clubman Countryman Coupe Paceman | eBay[/ame]

I'd also check with the M/A sponsors too. OutMotoring may be the place for this item.

 

Good call Norm. Galvanic corrosion from dissimilar metals. The guy at my local tire place warned me of this. I had some chrome metal ones on my wife's MINI. Now it wears plastic ones.

 

I put a little candle wax on the stem and rub a little in the caps and it keeps them from getting oxidized together.

But it won't help them from getting stolen.

 

I wonder if some Locktite or fingernail polish on the threads might keep the kiddies from stealing your caps.

 

What kind of fingernail polish do you wear Jeff? :wink:

 

Now I wonder:idea: