Wheeleez Valve Repair

After dealing with a small leak for almost a year on my wheeleez, GS was the last straw.

I manage to isolate the problem coming from inside the valve stem; used a little soap and water to detect the air leak.

I called Wheeleez and notified them of the problem with the air valve stem; however, since it was out of warranty, I would have to buy another replacement tire. And at $46 a tire, i decide to take a crack at fixing it myself.

Using a valve seat removal tool I picked up at the local autopart store, I carefully removed the valve stem core.

You can probably notice the diference (in the last image) between the bad core on the left. where the middle spring is broken and a the good core on the right.

I took a q-tip and cleaned out the inside of the valve stem, before installing the new valve stem core. Pumped the tire up with air and checked for leaks; nada, problem solved!

Total cost for repair: $4.65
$3.95 - Valve Core tool
$0.40 - Valve stem core ($1.60 for a 4/pk)
$0.30 - New valve cap ($1.10 for a 4/pak)

Hope this helps you guys out; I saw a lot of wheeleez at GS "lowriding"!

Glen

Thanks for the tip Glen. It looks like you have enough left to help 3 more brothers out.

I believe Scott resolved a similar problem with the same tool.

Not surprised at all one bit that you would fix the problem Mr. Jack of all trade. Thanks for sharing brother.

Jedmo

Oh what timing. I too decided to put more air in my wheeleez tires for GS7's hill. When I disturbed the valve putting in a touch of air ....the valve failed. Went this morning to the auto parts place and purchased the same tool, new valves, and caps. The funny part is my tires made it almost six years untouched.

The other wheel had a small pin hole in it so I used the famous NCKA search function which lead me to a YouTube video. Fired up my trusty solder gun and with the help of some plastic shavings (actually shaved off part of the raised lettering on the side of tire) I "welded" the pin hole and all is well.

Im guessing you do all this fixing while at work

Oh what timing. I too decided to put more air in my wheeleez tires for GS7's hill. When I disturbed the valve putting in a touch of air ....the valve failed. Went this morning to the auto parts place and purchased the same tool, new valves, and caps. The funny part is my tires made it almost six years untouched.

The other wheel had a small pin hole in it so I used the famous NCKA search function which lead me to a YouTube video. Fired up my trusty solder gun and with the help of some plastic shavings (actually shaved off part of the raised lettering on the side of tire) I "welded" the pin hole and all is well.

My wheels came with a small plastic of tiny rubbers I guess for patch job for future holes. Now I just have to remember where I put them

Why Yes, I was at "work"...actually at the warehouse catching up on the little things that need attention like the veggie garden (yup in the parking lot), spring cleaning, and of course..catching up on NCKA.

I do remember both Patrick and I  put our Wheeleeze patch repair kits where we wouldn't lose them or find them either

Might have to do some preventative maintenance and replace both valve stems before I get surprised when I least need it.

Might have to do some preventative maintenance and replace both valve stems before I get surprised when I least need it.

yup! changed out the other side too; just in case....

If you want to mess with some one just unscrew their valve core a little. Persistent slow leak that can sometimes baffle even tire repair shops, until they just install a new stem. Gotta thank my high school shop teacher for that one. 

Point being nobody ever thinks about that valve core. Good job 

I always carry a few of these extender caps in my glove box they have a bullet proof valve inside makes it easy to get a pump on if the tire is low or the stems are hard to reach with the pump. Good way to test your valve stems also

These are old school but Monkey Grip makes a modern version.

While you have the valve cores out, put a liter of water or so in the tire.  Makes it way easier to slide the cart under the boat when launching and landing

While you have the valve cores out, put a liter of water or so in the tire.  Makes it way easier to slide the cart under the boat when launching and landing

Interesting.  What does that do?

-Allen

While you have the valve cores out, put a liter of water or so in the tire.  Makes it way easier to slide the cart under the boat when launching and landing

Interesting.  What does that do?

-Allen

kinda like trying to roll a half filled water ballon; doesn't really want roll......