Defective valve stem hazard

[hobbit]

For those who haven't already become aware of it...
.
If you had tires installed in the timeframe of July 2006 to a
year or more later, you may be at risk of unexpected tire
deflation due to defective valve stems. This issue was first
posted to CleanMPG in Dec 2007, a fairly extensive page was
created about it, and more recently it's gotten the attention
of some pretty high-powered safety watchdogs. Read the whole
CleanMPG thread and follow the links for details.
.
Channel 5 Boston is coming to interview me about this tomorrow.
eep.
.
_H*

[galaxee]

well, i just had 2 flat tires in 2 consecutive days due to valve stem failure. DH installed the tires back in 3/2007 using whatever the dealership had. i just got off the phone with them, their supplier is bullock and does not appear to be involved in any recalls.

so i guess i'm out $40 for that, but DH is replacing the other 2 stems when he's home next to be safe.

just thought i'd bump the topic for others- check your valve stems!

[bwilson4web]

I'm glad you did. I put a properly quoted entry over in GreenHybrid.com pointing to Hobbit's article. Since I'm just putting four, new 175/70R14s on my NHW11 and getting 'perfect alignment,' I might as well have the valve stems replaced with either the off-road or truck versions. No need to go looking for trouble.

Bob Wilson

ps. Just ordered a set of 'clamp-in' valve stems from Ebay, $9 with shipping, and will let my local tire store install, balance and remount the tires. Since I've already got the life-time alignment service, this should be about as good as it gets.

[galaxee]

third valve stem went today, that's 3 in 10 days. had to have it replaced tonight.

got ahold of the supplier and found out their valve stems ARE part of the recall. i will be reimbursed for my expenses to date, they will arrange to pay for the 4th one. they are also going to replace 2 of my tires that had sidewall damage, which is good because i didn't feel all that great about running around on those.

will report back on how the reimbursement and future work goes... so far the supplier has been very professional and seems like a really nice guy.

the service department at the dealership had no clue what i was talking about, of course. but they did squeeze me in before they closed up for the weekend.

[galaxee]

the NHTSA recall campaign # is 08T018000.

[ThePackage]

Is this the TPMS valve stem or not?

[galaxee]

nope, not tpms valve stems.

[galaxee]

story of my life: i'm getting royally f*cked over.
there's no record of my tires being installed at the dealership- because DH did the labor on his time. so the dealership and their valve stem distributor washed their hands of me, leaving me $110 in the hole. $80 for the 4 valve stem replacements, and $30 for breaking down and inspecting 2 tires. oh, plus the cost of the tires that i no longer trust.

now i have to seek some type of reimbursement from the tire distributor, but i have no record of the tires being installed there either so... wish me luck.

i think i'm just out the money DESPITE the recall. i'll find out tomorrow morning. i'm just nauseated. that's a lot of money on our tight budget.

[rigormortis]

i did not know that it costs a lot of money to replace $2 valve stems

carefuly weigh your options... check your receipts, and take them to small claims court! make sure to ask the judge for the filing fee + process server fee if you win!!

maybe your case will be dismissed and you will be on judge judy

[richard schumacher]

More-direct links:
Recall Results : ODI - Office of Defects Investigation
http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...8T018-8189.pdf