Is there any source for a t-shape or other overside valse stem cap that is easy to remove.
I carry some tools just to do this which I thought might work such as an11/32 socket
with straight handle. The plastic caps will come off with this size but
unreliably. Other tool is a tiny cutting pliers to pinch and turn. All this is difficult to use in bad/cold weather where gripping small things is especially difficult.
What is missing in the tool kit (if an oversize Good Grips ™ cap is not available)
would be a small pliers with oval jaws. I have a flat jaw pliers as well and
again, a good grip just slides off.
I worry about using lubrication on these and so haven’t tried that. A tool for this job is needed or an oversize cap that can be twisted with minimal pressure.
I’ve never had any problem removing the plastic ones. What is causing them to get stuck in the first place? As long as the valve stem threads themselves are clean, and you do not screw them down extremely tight in the first place, I don’t think you should be experiencing difficulty removing them. They only need to be gently tightened in order to not fall off.
Metal ones can get stuck because of corrosion or deformation of the cap itself, but the plastic ones should not.
It’s fine to lubricate them with silicone spray or Vaseline – just don’t overtighten if they screw on easily. It should to be easy to find pliers with suitable jaws at any hardware store.
Tell that bit about tightening them to the techs who fix my flats.
I have arthritis-- can’t grip things well.
And yes, this time I put them on loosely. I have to go do a recheck of the pressure today since putting more air in after one of those tire pressure sensor alerts in the Hyundai Elantra came on. They seem to be going off all the time-- usually at a seasonal temp change. But it’s warm here-- air expands-- it should not be detecting low pressure unless I have another puncture.
I will keep looking for solutions.
The 11/32 straight handle socket was the best gripper I found to use. But with that there is the chance, esp if your hands are cold, to have difficulty getting
them out of the socket end.
It’s outrageous that such a simple thing is so difficult to locate.
I’ve seen electrical wire nuts with tee shape on the bigger ones. But those taper and would not work.
I have Jeep logo oversized caps on mine. I found them on Amazon. I bought them because they are cheap and pretty, but I guess they’d be easier to remove if they get mud covered. The came with a little open end wrench on a key ring.
Simple. Take them off yourself before you take the car into a repair shop.
Tell them you have the caps in your pocket and you will replace them yourself. You probably will need to emphasize that you don’t want them to be “nice” and put on plastic caps thinking yours are missing.
I drove an 09 Jeep Patriot (worst car I ever owned) and my mechanic told me there were known problems with the TPMS that Chrysler used. My low tire pressure warning light would turn on randomly. Once I was putting air in my tires and as I unscrewed the cap, the entire valve stem “came off” giving me an instant flat and $150 repair.
Many auto parts stores sell novelty valve stem caps. I used to have a set which were dice. Which are a nice square shape that’s easy to grip with fingers or pliers or crescent wrench.
They are a pretty good thing to have, keeps debris out of the valve, which could hang it open and deflate the tire. And road salt and grime.
There is a debate whether it helps seal the valve, probably not, but it doesn’t hurt. I know I’ve used one to slow down a leaking valve stem so I could finish a job (QUICKLY), then repair it properly later.