Strange racing related part failure

[RyanD]

I just got around to checking my tires pressures today after going to the track a few weeks ago. I found that the valve stem cap on the front right wheel had melted! The brakes must have been really smoking to generate that much heat.

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by RyanD

I just got around to checking my tires pressures today after going to the track a few weeks ago. I found that the valve stem cap on the front right wheel had melted! The brakes must have been really smoking to generate that much heat.

Mine have done the same thing. I use aluminum ones now. Can't remember where I picked them up.

[David Pintaric]

Mine have done the same thing. I use aluminum ones now. Can't remember where I picked them up.

Brad: don't!

The aluminum ones will break when rubbing wheel to wheel, while the rubber one is much more likely to give because of the flexibility. My guys at Hoosier insist on rubber valve stems...

[No Doubt]

In racing there's no such thing as "Ain't seen that before".

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by David Pintaric

Brad: don't!

The aluminum ones will break when rubbing wheel to wheel, while the rubber one is much more likely to give because of the flexibility. My guys at Hoosier insist on rubber valve stems...

Interesting, hadn't heard that before... maybe because I try not to rub wheel to wheel.

I'll have to stock up on the rubber ones I guess as they don't last long.

[injuner]

My friend had a metal valve stem in his Formula Ford break during wheel to wheel contact, causing his tire to instantly deflate.... He now uses rubber valve stems. They may not last forever like the metal ones, but spending an extra dollar when you are replacing wheels isn't a big investment.

[David Pintaric]

Interesting, hadn't heard that before... maybe because I try not to rub wheel to wheel.

It happened to Bob Kahn during the first race at Pocono. I try to learn from other people's experiences!

[Subdriver]

Originally Posted by David Pintaric

It happened to Bob Kahn during the first race at Pocono. I try to learn from other people's experiences!

Thanks for the tip. I meant in my post above that I used aluminum caps, not stems, but when you mentioned a stem snapping off, I went and looked at my CCWs and they do have aluminum stems. Guess I need to change them out.

[wtknght1]

I don't even fool with caps any more. I know that's one of those things that Farmer is anal about, but I just leave mine off all the time. Hey, if nothing else, it reduces rotational mass! ha ha

[trumperZ06]

Originally Posted by wtknght1

I don't even fool with caps any more. I know that's one of those things that Farmer is anal about, but I just leave mine off all the time. Hey, if nothing else, it reduces rotational mass! ha ha

Me too !!! The rubber ones Melt!

The steel ones are... too HOT to handle !

[Olitho]

I recently quit using caps, too.

Is there a compelling reason to keep them on?

[Steve J.]

The caps keep dust and dirt out of the stem and the valve.

[Olitho]

Hey Steve:

Are you suggesting I have frequent off-track excursions that would cause me to get dust and dirt in the valve stems?


I resemble that remark! I am so insulted!

[Steve J.]

Oh heck no Oli.... it could be coming off my car like a cometary plume from my own argicultural side business

[Z06XR]

There are other rubber parts that are even closer to your rotors than valve stems that you may want to look at now that you see some heat damage.....rubber boots around suspension parts and caliper pistons. I speak from experience.