valve stems

[richfaa]

Just replaced the last of the OEM valve stems on our 2013 3402 Big Sky. Two failed within the first year and the third in the second year. The last one has been leaking very slowly for some time after 6 months on our Florida lot it went from 110psi to 90 psi were the other replacements lost a psi or to in the same period.

The three that were replaced all had cracked and dry rot rubber this one had been tightened down to hard and we could see where the inside rubber seal was compressed. This local GY dealer said the same as the others did. Cheap valve stem.

Our Lug buts are nothing but rust. The so called chrome plating is TP thin and has all peeled off no salt, no snow, no ice. They are all like that and they will stay like that. When folks look at this very pretty best you can buy top of the line Montana it will give them a heads up on what to expect and how much they will have to spend on new quality lug nuts. They are not cheap.

We are looking good after 3 years and several thousand $$ in repairs.

[Goin 4 Broke]

Where did you buy your lug nuts and what is the proper size / designation?

[BB_TX]

Probably pushing my luck, buy I still have the original valve stems, 8 yrs old. Unless they replaced them in 2008 when I put on new tires, then they would be 7 yrs old. And never a flat or even a low tire in that time.

Speaking of, I guess I need to be thinking about new tires also even though they still look brand new.

Now the lug nuts, yeah they are rusting, but still have a little chrome shining thru.

[jcurtis934]

As far as I am aware, keystone used axles with 1/2-20 lug nuts. I threw away the keystone ones when I went to 17.5 wheels/tires and stainless steel lug nuts from Trailer Tires and Wheels in northern ohio. John

[richfaa]

Goin 4 broke If you go back and read my post we did not buy new lug nuts. The rusty ones stay. John the OEM lug nuts are 1/2-20.The stainless steel lug nuts are expensive.

Trailer Tires and Wheels in northern ohio . Looked them up and replacement 1/2 20 stainless steel long lug nuts are 24.00 a wheel 96.00 for full replacement. The price is not bad but taking all the lug nuts off, replacing them, torqueing them then re torqueing them is a PIA and we are not happy about having to spend 96.00 plus tax and shipping and do the labor to replace junk.

[DQDick]

We got Stainless lug nuts from Tredit Tire at a reasonable price. The only problem was that I no more than put them on than we went to IS and disk brakes and had to buy larger stainless lug nuts from Morryde.

[richfaa]

I am going to see what Tredit can do when at the Fall rally.

[Lack of HP]

I just replace the valve stems on my 2014. Little over a year old, one failed and one was loosing some air. Dealer said lowest quality he had seen lately. Guess I am lucky. Caught them in time.

[WaltBennett]

Don't understand the problems with valve stems. Our '10 came with all metal ones from Tredit that an ahole Firestone tech removed and put rubber ones on, although the old ones never leaked. I know I've only three more years life of those new rubber ones - and that isn't discussing the work involved trying to either check air pressure or put air in those wimpy things. I emailed Tredit after this happened and they sell the all metal ones for a very reasonable amount. My problem is picking the right time to put them on.

I don't know as Tredit put something that wouldn't last more than a few years and wasn't all metal. Perhaps if you had the dealer put other than Marabombs on, they changed them like Firestone did mine?

[Artemus Gordon]

Rich you have some bad luck. Mine look like new over 30k miles. No rust no cracked rubber. I must be living right?

[bullroc3]

Hey Rich. I would be interested in the SS lug nuts also. I will see you at the rally. Maybe we can get a group discount.

[jfaberna]

I replaced my factory rusty lug nuts with these:

http://www.mcgard.com/index.php/auto...-nutslug-bolts

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by bullroc3

Hey Rich. I would be interested in the SS lug nuts also. I will see you at the rally. Maybe we can get a group discount.

Count me in maybe we can get a group going.

[richfaa]

[quote]Originally posted by jfaberna

I replaced my factory rusty lug nuts with these:

http://www.mcgard.com/index.php/auto...-nutslug-bolts


Mcgard is my backup.They are more expensive but a quality product.

[DonandBonnie]

Will talk at the rally. Ours are rusty too. We've had no problems with the valve stems on our 2013 Big Sky.

[richfaa]

On two of our stems on our 13 3402 we could wiggle them around an hear air escaping. They were both dry rotted and had been improperly installed. The other two had very slow leaks example set at 110psi they would drop 10/15 psi over a couple of months. Two good year dealers said they were very low cost stems. The one that just replaced the last stem brought it out to me and asked me were in the world we have got the stem.

[The Bone]

Do Not install stainless lug nuts without anti-seize on the threads. As you tighten the lug nuts heat is produced between the threads on the lug and the nut. What happens is the stainless steal distorts the threads and you cant get the lug nuts off. They will have to be cut off. If you get a flat you will not be able to change it. if you have them already check to make sure the anti-size is on the threads. It also helps you get a proper torque on the lug nuts.

[rohrmann]

You should NEVER use any lubricant, oil, anti-sieze, or anything else on the threads of the lug nuts. I will guarantee that you will over torque the lug nuts and will ultimately break the studs. The torque value, on most Montana's it is 120 lb ft, is with dry threads. If you apply a lubricant, 120 lb ft of torque will stretch and break the studs, because the expected friction at the threads and the cone where the nut and wheel interface will not be there, and the nut will be over-tightened.

[MAMalody]

I was told by our local tech that the torque on the lugs was 105#s. I have a'03 3575RL. Would that account for the difference, or maybe he just did not know?

[bigred715]

Replaced my rubber stems at Les Schwabs for steel ones. Added the TPS System, so needed to. When the weather changes, so does my air pressure in tires. Always check pressure before leaving on trip and they will lose pressure a few lbs when sitting for extended time.