Need to replace valve stem with new tires on TR?

Do not remove them (they are expensive and not normally replaced) -- just have the tire shop put a new Schrader valve core (that threads into the ID).

Steve M.

 

If they are metal, they stay in the wheel, as Steve says above.....they came with the wheel.

Not the same as the rubber ones....

 

Rubbers (!) always look stupid

 

The Ferrari OEM ones are aluminum.......

I would keep looking as with "chrome" you will pay a weight penalty!

Take a look as you take them off for the refinish, IIRC it has rubber seals on the mating face, maybe just renew them??

 

I wouldn't overthink this too much. The stem unscrews, the seal can be replaced with a correctly sized O-ring. There are no individual parts from Ferrari so if you want to replace the O-rings you'll need to find a generic replacement. If bad the valve core shouldn't be too difficult to source but it will be metric. I'd recommend if your stems aren't leaking and the O-ring looks good, re-use them--they are very robust and not subject to rotting or being cut by hubcaps or other abuses the rubber stems suffer. Don't attempt to change to rubber stems.

As for wheel finishing, they were originally painted--I don't believe powder coating was used in the automotive industry 25 years ago. Likely lacquer. Light gray primer was used (you'll see when you remove your tires) as a base, then silver was sprayed on the outside surfaces. On all four of mine and a replacement I bought on eBay, the silver on the inside of the wheels has a dull finish (semi-gloss) and the outside has same color but with a heavy coat of clear yielding a very glossy finish--I believe this was the original application. My notes show the original paint was P.P.G. #36520 (unverified--there was a thread here a few years ago and someone researched this). Also, the inside surfaces will likely be over-sprayed with Dinol, a dark golden waxy corrosion preventative that was sprayed all over the suspension after assembly. Don't attempt to paint over this, it will come off with mineral spirits.

Many of us have the BF Goodrich tires and I haven't heard any real complaints--I highly recommend them, they wear well and are sufficient for occasional track days. Mine were installed by Les Schwab and they didn't balance them right--big vibration. I had my independent mechanic balance them correctly (weights on inboard and outboard edges of inside of wheel (no weights on outside of wheel)).
Image Unavailable, Please Login