Inner Tube - New Stem?

Glenn F. · Oct 3, 2023

A 23x20.5012 inner tube on my Gravely lawnmower is leaking at the base of the stem. What is my best option: install a new valve stem or buy a new $20.00+ tube? Or a $6.00 tube from HF?!

Thank you,
Glenn F.

Glenn F. · Oct 3, 2023

Oops, meant for Tool Talk!

Glenn

Andy Wickiser · Oct 3, 2023

If it already has a tube and appears to be leaking at the base of the stem it's not necessarily the stem but a leak anywhere in the tube. The stem base is just where the lost air bleeds put. Since a tube valve stem is part of the tube I've never heard of replacing one. How about removing the tube, finding the leak, patching it, and reinstalling? Replacing the tube would be fine as well.

Adrian Billheimer · Oct 3, 2023

I would think you would be money ahead buying the more expensive tube, especially if planning to keep long term, if fixing to sell, then the cheap tube. Just my opinion.

Glenn F. · Oct 3, 2023

Tube is out. Definitely leaking at the base. Replacement stems used to be available but I am sure they would not be cheap. I think I will buy a good quality new tube.

Thanks,
Glenn F.

Andy Wickiser · Oct 3, 2023

That's a good choice. There are YouTube videos of people patching stem base leaks on inner tubes as well as some products available for such. Some people like that kind of handywork.

super99 · Oct 3, 2023

I've replaced valve stems on old tubes, 50% success rate. Just put in a new tube and be done with it unless you enjoy dismounting those small tires.

Doug Wi · Oct 3, 2023

3.39 at farm and fleet. I replace a lot of them . Never had a failure if tube properly prepaired

TimV · Oct 3, 2023

Was working on an old fixer-upper lawn tractor last spring and one of the rear tires had a leak. Tore it apart and it was leaking on the base of the valve stem. Cut a patch piece about 3 in diameter from another tube, poked a small hole in the middle for the valve stem to go through, slathered it up with Shoe Goo, put it on and clamped it for 24 hours. Reinstalled with a shot of tube Slime for good measure and it's held air all this summer and into the fall despite quite a bit of use. Granting on a good tractor I'd just get a good tube and be done with it, but for a few cents of glue and slime I'm very happy with the fix.

stevieb49829 · Oct 3, 2023

Here's a good place to look for a new tube. https://www.ebay.com/str/rustyborestirestore. Even have Firestone's. steve

wore out · Oct 3, 2023

If the rim originally had a tubeless tire on it and someone ''tubed'' it, likely the stem hole in the rim and the location of the stem on the tube don't match and the stem gets torn off.

Whether you attempt to put a stem on the old tube or replace it, you MAY need to drill a new hole for the valve stem that matches the tube or the stem will fail/tear again.

Plugs for the old stem hole are available.

caterpillar guy · Oct 4, 2023

I put new glue on stems all the time works pretty good . I even do rear tractor tires with them. They are available from TECH for one place. On the rear tractor tires theirs are a bit bigger at the part that glues on to the tube. The key is not cutting a big hole to get the old stem off and then good buffing and gluing.

Inner Tube - New Stem?

Glenn F.

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Glenn F.

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Andy Wickiser

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Adrian Billheimer

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Glenn F.

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Andy Wickiser

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super99

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Doug Wi

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TimV

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stevieb49829

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wore out

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caterpillar guy

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