How to Replace Tire Valve Stems on Tubeless Wheels

A valve stem is a small part with a big job: it holds the air in your tire. Fit the wrong rating, reuse an old stem or seat a new one badly, and the best you get is a slow leak. At worst, the stem lets go under pressure.

Milton® has made tools for working shops since 1943. This guide covers how to replace a tire valve stem on a tubeless wheel: choosing the right stem, taking the old one out, installing a snap-in or clamp-in stem, and finishing the job so it holds.

The Short Version

• How to replace tire valve stem on a tubeless wheel: deflate the tire, break the bead so the stem is reachable, pull out the old stem, seat a new one, then inflate to seat the bead and cap the stem.
• Match the stem to the tire. A stem rated for 65 psi must not go in a tire rated above 65 psi.
• Fit a new stem every time a tire comes off the wheel, and never reuse a snap-in stem.
• Clamp-in stems are tightened with a nut to 25 to 45 inch pounds (3 to 5 newton meters). Snap-in stems are pulled through the hole with a tool.

On This Page

1. How to Replace Tire Valve Stems: What to Know First
2. Which Valve Stem Do You Need?
3. What You Need for the Job
4. How to Remove the Old Valve Stem
5. How to Install a Snap-In Valve Stem
6. How to Install a Clamp-In Valve Stem
7. How to Finish the Job
8. FAQ

How to Replace Tire Valve Stems: What to Know First

The stem sits in the wheel's valve hole, with the tire bead seated against the rim around it. To reach it, you deflate the tire and break the bead loose.

The ratings, torque figure and snap-in steps in this guide come from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's service bulletin on tubeless valves.

Fit a new stem every time a tire comes off the wheel. A used rubber stem is almost always damaged when it is pulled through the rim hole, and the damage causes slow leaks that are hard to see (Tire Review). Never reuse a snap-in stem, and check the stem for cracks and tears whenever a tire is demounted, including for a repair.

Which Valve Stem Do You Need?

Valves are rated by type and maximum pressure. Ratings vary by maker, so check the rating with the valve manufacturer before you install.

Valve holes come in two common sizes: 0.453 inch (11.51 mm) and 0.625 inch (15.88 mm). Match the stem to the hole.

Three rules to follow:

1. Don't use a valve rated for 65 psi in a tire and wheel assembly rated above 65 psi, such as a Light Truck (LT) or Special Trailer (ST) tire. Use a high-pressure valve whenever inflation pressure is above 65 psi. A wrong valve can detach and cause a sudden loss of pressure.
2. Don't use metal valve extensions with snap-in valves. Extensions, which are typically found on dual wheel applications, need a clamp-in valve.
3. For performance use above 130 mph (210 km/h), choose a clamp-in valve over a snap-in valve.

Our tire valves and valve extensions pages list what Milton carries.

What You Need for the Job

• A new valve stem of the right type, rating and hole size
• A valve core tool, for taking the core out to deflate the tire and to inflate it past the bead
• A valve puller or valve installation tool for snap-in stems
• A rubber lubricant approved by the valve manufacturer, for standard snap-in stems only
• A torque tool and the hex nut and rubber grommets that come with a clamp-in stem
• A tire machine
• Safety glasses and gloves

How to Remove the Old Valve Stem

These steps follow a vehicle maker's published procedure for a rubber snap-in stem, with Tesla's Model Y valve stem procedure as a public example. Check the service information for your own wheel and tire machine.

1. Put the wheel on the tire machine and clamp it.
2. Remove the valve cap and the valve core, and let the tire deflate. The tire deflates fast, so wear your safety glasses and gloves.
3. Loosen the upper bead with the bead roller, lubricating the bead as the wheel turns, then break the top bead.
4. Press the upper bead down until the valve stem is reachable.
5. Cut the base of the rubber stem flush with the underside of the wheel.
6. Attach the valve puller to the stem and pull it out. Discard it.
7. Clear any debris from the valve hole.

You can also pull a rubber snap-in stem out whole with the same valve puller. A clamp-in stem comes out when you remove its nut.

How to Install a Snap-In Valve Stem

1. Remove any rust and burrs from around the valve hole.
2. Lubricate a standard snap-in valve with a rubber lubricant approved by the valve manufacturer. Don't lubricate high-pressure snap-in valves.
3. Use an installation tool to install the valve in the rim hole until the indicator ring on the valve clears the weather side of the rim. Thread the tool onto the stem, pivot it over the wheel edge so the rubber pad touches the lip, and push down until the stem is fully seated against the inside of the wheel.
4. Inspect the valve for tearing or other damage from the installation.
5. If the valve is damaged, remove it and fit a new one. Damage is a sign that the rim hole needs deburring. Then go back to step 1.

How to Install a Clamp-In Valve Stem

A clamp-in valve is metal with rubber grommets, and a hex nut holds it. Tighten the nut to 25 to 45 inch pounds (3 to 5 newton meters).

Aluminum clamp-in stems can corrode to the wheel, and the rubber grommet can shift when the tire is deflated for service, which causes slow leaks. Replace the aluminum service kit every time the tire comes off the rim.

How to Finish the Job

1. Release the upper bead roller so the top bead sits against the wheel.
2. Remove the valve core, inflate the tire to seat the bead, then reinstall the core and secure the cap. Don't exceed the pressure shown on the tire sidewall, and wear protective equipment.
3. Cover the stem with a sealing valve cap. The cap keeps moisture, dirt and other contaminants out of the valve core and adds a second seal.
4. Remove the wheel from the machine and balance the wheel and tire.

FAQ

Can you replace a valve stem without removing the tire?

Not by the published procedures for rubber snap-in stems. They deflate the tire and break the top bead to reach the stem. Outside-the-tire methods exist, but those procedures don't cover them and neither does this guide.

What if the valve has a TPMS sensor?

Follow the sensor maker's instructions. When new tires go on, replace every part in the TPMS valve replacement kit, and replace the kit any time the sensor is taken apart. If a sensor is damaged, replace it together with a new kit.

Next Step

Not sure which stem fits your wheels? Contact us and we'll help you match one to your shop. For the gauge side of tire service, read why precision tire inflation tools matter.