|
12-29-2018, 05:33 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
Rusting Valve Stems?
It appears the base of my valve stems are rusting. I’m thinking I have a dissimilar metal corrosion issue going on. The wheels are aluminum and I believe the stems are steel. Does anyone have an idea on how to stop it. My old military training tells me to clean it up and seal it so there is no air or moisture to act as a dielectric. What would be best to seal it. Should I ask the dealer to ask Keystone to replace the stems with aluminum ones? I’m still under warranty.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
12-29-2018, 07:22 PM
|
#2
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Apollo, PA
Posts: 61
|
That’s definitely a dissimilar metals issue. It looks like the washer under the nut is steel. Any metals touching the wheel should be stainless steel or brass.
You may get away with replacing that washer with a stainless steel one, but you will have to clean the wheel where the washer touched it because the wheel is probably corroded under the washer.
If it’s still under warranty, the dealer should take care of it. In my opinion, this is a manufacturing defect. This wouldn’t have happened if the proper materials were used.
|
|
|
12-30-2018, 12:24 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
|
I replaced the truck (2 sets) and trailer wheels with steel valve stems. I thought they are SS from the local tire shop. TT has had them sitting outside in annual rainfall here 24 inches. No rust has showed up on any. 6 bucks a piece, go get some and forget about your current problem.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
|
|
|
12-30-2018, 02:28 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
|
Yup, that’s galvanic corrosion. Problem is, where did the steel washer come from? Were those valve stems Original Equipment or added when the TPMS was added?
If those valve stems came as OE you should show the pictures to Keystone. Just maybe they were supposed to be stainless steel and Keystone can do a recall to replace them on all other units that got those wheel/tire assemblies with their new trailer. And, inform the OEM provider of the problem.
To me, it looks like the trailer may have traveled thru an area of serious ice and snow removal by chemicals or salt.
|
|
|
12-30-2018, 06:01 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
The valves stems are OEM. I’ll see what the dealer and Keystone say. If they won’t step up to the plate I’ll either replace the whole stem or just the washers. The RV was built in Apr and hasn’t been on any treated roads that I know of.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
12-31-2018, 07:54 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Taylors, SC
Posts: 3,031
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
The valves stems are OEM. I’ll see what the dealer and Keystone say. If they won’t step up to the plate I’ll either replace the whole stem or just the washers. The RV was built in Apr and hasn’t been on any treated roads that I know of.
|
I think I'd send pictures here... http://www.hispecwheel.com/
|
|
|
12-31-2018, 02:55 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
Rusting Valve Stems?
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWtheMan
|
I sent them the information. There wasn’t a way to send the pictures. I told them I had them if desired. We will see what they say. My dealer service manager is out until the 3rd. I sent it to them too. I looked on line at valve stems and they all have rubber insulators. I’m thinking they forgot something in the assembly.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
01-02-2019, 09:28 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,007
|
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
|
|
|
01-02-2019, 11:29 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,907
|
I'm not sure, but I've looked at that photo really close and I don't see any corrosion on the wheel itself, only on the surface of the washer. The 'rubber insulator' you mention is the gasket that is compressed by the washer and nut that keeps the air from leaking out. It looks like you could get some stainless steel washers and just replace them yourself and you would be good. Those valve stems are inserted from the inside and if you are careful, you can remove the nut, replace the washer, and put the nut back on without losing air.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
|
|
|
01-02-2019, 07:50 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,196
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tbos
It appears the base of my valve stems are rusting. I’m thinking I have a dissimilar metal corrosion issue going on. The wheels are aluminum and I believe the stems are steel. Does anyone have an idea on how to stop it. My old military training tells me to clean it up and seal it so there is no air or moisture to act as a dielectric. What would be best to seal it. Should I ask the dealer to ask Keystone to replace the stems with aluminum ones? I’m still under warranty. Attachment 19729
|
Tom,
It looks like things worked as they should given your location near the ocean (Maryland, correct?). The bright zinc coating on the steel washer is sacrificial. Simply replace it with another zinc plated washer. Hopefully with a little more zinc on it so it lasts longer.
Do not be tempted to replace it with a stainless steel washer since the valve stem or wheel would now become sacrificial and corrode before the stainless steel washer.
Another option is to replace the valve stem with a higher quality better designed (IMO) OEM version like this Ford N-1600 specific to aluminum wheels: http://yourtireshopsupply.com/produc...-valve-han1600
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265BHS (previous: 2015 23RB Passport Elite, ProPride)
2015 F250 XLT SB Crew, 6.2l gas
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
|
|
|
01-03-2019, 06:35 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by slow
Tom,
It looks like things worked as they should given your location near the ocean (Maryland, correct?). The bright zinc coating on the steel washer is sacrificial. Simply replace it with another zinc plated washer. Hopefully with a little more zinc on it so it lasts longer.
Do not be tempted to replace it with a stainless steel washer since the valve stem or wheel would now become sacrificial and corrode before the stainless steel washer.
Another option is to replace the valve stem with a higher quality better designed (IMO) OEM version like this Ford N-1600 specific to aluminum wheels: http://yourtireshopsupply.com/produc...-valve-han1600
|
I am near the Chesapeake bay but we don’t get any salt spray here. I did spend a week in Myrtle Beach. There was a lot of salt spray there but I did wash the rig before we left. That’s a good point on the washers being the sacrificial anode for the wheels and stems. I’ll see what Keystone says. I was hoping HiSpec would have responded to my email today but they have not. Maybe they are researching it, lol. Once I have the information from Keystone and possibly HiSpec I’ll see which route I take. Thanks everyone.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
02-06-2019, 04:28 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
Never heard back from HiSpec. However Keystone denied replacement of the washers. I’ll end up replacing them myself. They aren’t expensive but as others have said I’d rather have them rust instead of the wheels corroding.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|