Suspect 320MKS Tire Valve Stems

[SeanBH]

Hi All:

Discovered a couple of weeks ago that one of my tires was underinflated while the other 3 were just were I set them (about 79 psi). Last week still had some outstanding items on my warranty repair list (as well as a couple more like this one), so I took the 320MKS in at my dealer. I had asked them to put steel value stems on all 4 tires, but they put me in this hoop loop of having to wait for warranty authorization and such, so I settled for the basic rubber valve stem. I picked up my rig yesterday, and lo and behold this morning that same tire was at 56psi after setting it at 80 yesterday. Tried to expedite something with my dealer, but wound up going to a local tire store not 1/2 mile from my house and had them replace all four valve stems with steel ones. Cost was $40. As they were replacing them, the tire tech

[guest2]

You don’t specify what the remedy was.
I had a similar issue with a brand new tire on my car. Tire shop I bought them from couldn’t find any problem (twice).
I used soapy water and found a pinhole in the sidewall. Never went to them again.
Rich

[howson]

You don’t specify what the remedy was.

My impression of the OP's post is the rubber stem was incorrectly installed and the fix was new steel valves. Obviously, correctly installed rubber stems could have fixed the issue (losing air), too.

Am I missing something, Rich?

Howard

[Jlawles2]

By the look of the play in the stem, I'd guess improper installation as Howard mentions or the wrong size ones.

I have a set of 4 GM TPMS sensors that I am going to install on the trailer (came with the truck) when the weather gets a little better. Hopefully they do bettter the the tire no link.

[Reacher]

I agree with Howard's "improper rubber valve stem installation" assessment. I've used TPMS sensors on rubber valve stems on towed vehicles for many years and miles without issue.

[Jlawles2]

When I went to take the trailer for its annual inspection so I could get the license plate renewed, I found one of the tires flat(luckily I store the camper with the stabilizers down). I suspect the valve stem is leaking (found it leaking before) and I also suspect that the Tire Link caps did not help as they put a lot of force on the top of the stem which can lead to failure of the rubber. My guess is the extra weight on top at hwy speeds pulls the valve stem outward (centrifugal force) since the stems lean outward already.