Tire stem protectors

[George in Spokane]

I'm new to welding and I would like to weld some 2" pieces of pipe on to my tire stems. Can I do this with the tire mounted or do I need to disassemble it? I have a 180 amp wire welder.


Thanks

 

[EastTexFrank]

I would take the wheel off, not neceessarily the tire, and weld it while it is laying flat. It doesn't need to welded all the way round, just tacked sufficiently to hold on on. Another thing I would do is cut a slot in the 2" pipe so you can get a chuck on to the tire stem to inflate it. There is nothing worse than having your tire stem so "protected" by the the pipe that you can't get anything on to to it to blow air into the tire. Don't ask me how I know this. It's enbarassing.

 

[Eagleview]

You can do it with the tyre on but only if it is tubeless as the heat from the weld will ruin the tube in a tube type tyre .

 

[woodlandfarms]

The local tire shop would not weld mine on with tires mounted. Basically it is due to the heat. Too much risk involved, and they said generally it always ended in a slow leak.

 

[AlanB]

At the least, I would break that bead and push it down in the center and hold it with soem wood blocks.

It is all a matter of weighing the benefits too the risk, and the 2 minutes I would spend too do that, would far outweigh the risk of damaging the tire bead with the heat in my opinion.

Good luck however you go.

 

[Soundguy]

Can weld a threaded nipple on there and add caps too.. still make it where a chuck will go on though..

soundguy

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm new to welding and I would like to weld some 2" pieces of pipe on to my tire stems. Can I do this with the tire mounted or do I need to disassemble it? I have a 180 amp wire welder.
Thanks

Yes, if tubeless. Jack tractor and de-pressure tire. Weld short beads and cool alternately to manage heat buildup on valve and bead. Practice on something of the same thickness 1st.
larry

 

[laurencen]

I would also deflate tire however it may be worth while having a slot in the tube where it contacts the rim to allow water to drain, unless you have a screw cap on the pipe

 

[Bedlam]

With the right inflater Gauge, or an extension( like the auto screw on kind.) you can come into the stem directly.
similiar to this one.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Personally I like the nipple and cap idea.
Let us know how it goes..

 

[George in Spokane]

Thanks!

 

[3RRL]

Wouldn't it be cool if the tire valves could be pushed down below rim height like on those blow up mattresses. What about making a recessed tire valve for tubeless tires that sat sub-flush on the rim? To keep dirt and grit out of the recessed counter bore, you could have a snap in plastic cap or just hose them out if you wanted.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Wouldn't it be cool if the tire valves could be pushed down below rim height like on those blow up mattresses. What about making a recessed tire valve for tubeless tires that sat sub-flush on the rim? To keep dirt and grit out of the recessed counter bore, you could have a snap in plastic cap or just hose them out if you wanted.

Actually thats a great idea and wouldnt be all that difficult to do. You of all people could develop a product based on that idea and patent it.
larry

 

[Soundguy]

First time you got a flat and rolled over the internal stem, it would very likely be ruined.

soundguy

 

[3RRL]

First time you got a flat and rolled over the internal stem, it would very likely be ruined.

soundguy

Not necessarily Chris, not if the counter bore was the same steel material as the rim.
The tire would have to get completely "smushed" into the rim to get to it. But even if it did, the rubber would give before the steel, I think.
In other words, if the counter bore was made of steel, just recessed on the rim, I think it would be just as strong as the rest of the rim. Use one of those low profile valves mentioned above and it could be pretty small. Picture a spray paint cap or WD-40 cap made out of steel with a hole in the center for the valve stem. Weld it into a hole in the rim so it is concave. I'll bet it would be pretty tough.
Of course this is only my opinion.

 

[Soundguy]

If the internal valve stem was made rigid and didn't give.. then I'd worry about the inside of the tire itself.

soundguy

 

[GreenWannabe]

Those air mattress and beach ball valves are made for very low pressure, basically what you can blow with your mouth. I can't see something like that working very well with the much higher pressures used in tires.

 

[3RRL]

If the internal valve stem was made rigid and didn't give.. then I'd worry about the inside of the tire itself.

soundguy

Huh? I don't get it?
The tire wall never touches the counter bore or valve.
Forgive the simple drawing, but this is something what I envision might work.
Anyway, it's just an idea...a concept. Maybe you can improve on it?
(Click to enlarge)

 

[3RRL]

Those air mattress and beach ball valves are made for very low pressure, basically what you can blow with your mouth. I can't see something like that working very well with the much higher pressures used in tires.

Forget the beach ball and air mattress type valve.
That was just and idea ... thinking out of the box to get the ball rolling.

On Edit:
Shees, you guys are tough!

 

[Eagleview]

How about a molded Urethane tapered hat that would follow the rim contour and create a ramp to guide sticks over the valve . The valve and nut would locate it and double sided tape or something like Sikaflex Urathane would hold it on , the valve would be recessed in the hat . If the ramp was gentle i think it would guide the sticks away . The thing we need to invent is something that can be attached while the wheel is inflated , it is an easy matter to weld a pipe end and cap on a bare rim .

 

[Soundguy]

Huh? I don't get it?
The tire wall never touches the counter bore or valve.
Forgive the simple drawing, but this is something what I envision might work.
Anyway, it's just an idea...a concept. Maybe you can improve on it?
(Click to enlarge)

Improve on it? I'm no menchanical engineer.. now.. if you have a road question...

If you could make it where it was away from the bead, and was completely flush with the rim when the tire was flat it would probably work.. this way.. automatic tire equipment wouldn't have a problem installing tires to rims.. etc.. or breaking them down with those bead rake/brake bars ... seems like alot of work vs a external stem protector though.



soundguy