Metal dust caps stuck on

[UK345]

Got 3 metal dust caps stuck on my alloy wheels. One cap off no bother but the other 3 are not budging. How do I go about removing these ?

[Ved]

Two pliers, one of the cap and one on the stem. Force is the only way unless you fancy getting a dremmel to cut the top and split it.

Metal on metal will corrode so avoid using these things all year round.

[X5TUU]

This happened to me a few years ago ... I had to get a pair of pliers to hold the valve stem and stop it twisting and another pair around the cap and twisted them off.

I'd never use metal caps ever again now

[Dannbodge]

I had the same issue, but I've only ever had it when using aftermarket cheap valve caps.

OEM BMW ones are metal and I've never had an issue with them

[Collectingbrass]

I had this from valves on tyres from Kwik Fit. Ended up going back when they were quiet (as I didn't want to run the risk of wrecking a valve and having to go there anyway) and got it for free by asking nicely rather than entering full on PH Director rant mode.

I suspect if I'd been checking my tyre pressures every week this wouldnt have happened.

[vikingaero]

If pliers won't work then replace the valve stems. Otherwise religiously lubricate/coppergrease them if you still want metal ones.

[mike9009]

Bimetallic corrosion at its best.

I had a go with Mole grips and pair of pliers which got mine off, except one. Eventually took it to a tyre place because I thought I would rip the valve out. They could only get it off by ripping the valve out!

Plastic dust covers on all cars now!

Mike

[stephen300o]

Park in clacton, they'll be off in no time.

[Honk]

stephen300o said:

Park in clacton, they'll be off in no time.

[hidetheelephants]

Smear some silicone grease or vaseline on the thread once in a while, it's just corrosion.

[surveyor]

When the Laguna II was new Renault were fitting these to the Dynamique model. Did not take long before they started using rubber instead.

[Glasgowrob]

hidetheelephants said:

Smear some silicone grease or vaseline on the thread once in a while, it's just corrosion.

this

[KM666]

I bought a cheapo set off ebay recently and was suprised to find the packet advises you to apply grease to the inside of the wheelnut before fitting. Thought it was very interesting that they started telling us to do it.

[Steve_F]

Had them on one car I bought. Got a puncture on one tyre and while I was there they replaced the other metal ones free of charge. Most if not all were stuck on. Wouldn't attack the valves unless near a tyre place just in case!

[Hamish Finn]

KM666 said:

I bought a cheapo set off ebay recently and was suprised to find the packet advises you to apply grease to the inside of the wheelnut before fitting. Thought it was very interesting that they started telling us to do it.

How would greasing the wheelnut help with removing a corroded valve stem cap?

[GuinnessMK]

Had OEM metal dust caps on my Leon, got nicked, so replaced with a set of ebay specials.

Next time I went to put some air in the tyres, they were welded tight. Very nervous hour cutting them off with a Dremel.

[KM666]

Hamish Finn said:

KM666 said:

I bought a cheapo set off ebay recently and was suprised to find the packet advises you to apply grease to the inside of the wheelnut before fitting. Thought it was very interesting that they started telling us to do it.

How would greasing the wheelnut help with removing a corroded valve stem cap?

Haha whoops! Should be cap. Not sure why i've got wheelnuts on my mind.

[baryon97]

After 37 years of driving I can -

- fill the car with fuel
- replenish wiper fluid
- check tyres
- check oil
- change wiper blades
- change a bulb

- so I am not exactly what you would call mechanically competent.

I went to do my tyre pressures a couple of days ago to discover a corroded dust cap. After two days of fretting, I have just successfully removed it with a Dremel and a couple of pairs of pliers and, as far as I can tell, my tyre still has air in it!

The sweet taste of success (with added metal filings)!

[Glosphil]

I have used metal dust caps on my tyre valves for years. Always spray inside with copper grease when fitting. Never had a problem.

[IAmTheWalrus]

I was given some fancy red ones but they welded themselves on with rust, even the local mechanic couldn't get them off so ended up paying for a new valve... Never again.