valve stem replacement help????????????

[racerone3]

i have just bought a couple orriginal firestone tires thet have bad valve stems. anyone have any tips on getting new valves in these molded wheel/tires? anyone who has tackled this, your advice is much appreciated

[GREASEMONKEY]

Go to a local truck, or tractor supply store & get the HD stems. They are stainless steel, and have a replaceable gasket. They also are tough because they don't just pop in, they actually have a nut you tighten on the outside of the rim!

[Don]

If the tires are the one-piece molded flotations, you'll need to find valve stems short enough to fit inside and still have room enough to allow you to fill the tire. Cut the old valve stem out- you'll usually end up with a piece rattling around on the inside of the tire. I use some emery paper to clean up the hole for the new stem, then wet down the rim and the new stem with a soapy water solution. Use an old flat-sided screwdriver (if you have a well-used screwdriver that's worn so there's no sharp edges, it works best) and work the bottom of the new stem into the rim.

Good luck with it.

[racerone3]

thanks guys. don... that was pretty much my thinking, and after an hour's work i have 1 done. my 18 month old son was in the shop with me this evening and may have picked up a few words that i'd rather him not learn till high school!! i got worked over a little on the purchace of these tires and still need a one more right side. if anyone has a 65" firestone or 2 right sides, i'd like to buy them. will is swim in circles if i run lefts on the right?