Hi all,

I did a quick search. I found a comical DIY about changing valve stem caps, humorous, although not very helpful.
As part of a regular wash, check oil, touch up scratches service I like to do, I decided to check the tire pressure on all four wheels.
I have a 04 RX-8 that had these little chrome valve stem caps. They could no longer be loosened by hand. So I grabbed a small crecent wrench and proceeded to twist the valve stem right off, letting all the air out.

So I call my local Mazda dealer and inform the parts guy that the use of a steel and chrome cap on a aluminum stem combined with the salt that is used on the roads here in Michigan had caused this seizure and now I had a dead car. He couldn't have been less sympathatic and frankly that dealer will never sell me a car again. (NOTE TO Dealers: Don't let jerks answer your phones, the $100 they save you being jerks will cost you thousands in future buisness. ) He informs me that it will be $120 to $150 for the valve that they don't stock. So I go to Rosenthals website and order one for 89.95 and decide to add the Redline fluids I wanted as well. I pay for 2nd day shipping and after a little while I decide it is a lesson learned. I suspect that maybe I went the wrong way and have only myself to blame. So I go outside and carefully remove the rear passenger side, no problem. It is a few pounds low so I add the air and use a little lithium grease as anti-seize and put the cap back on. Then I move to the drivers front and doing a very slow lefty lousy, twist off that one as well !!!!

Ok, this is getting stupid now, I am out $180, plus shipping, which due to the fact I placed 2 orders, and my note in the special instructions field went unread apparently, cost me another $55 !!!

So, what I am asking is, did your Mazda RX-8 come with these caps ? I am trying to determine if Discount tire put these on when they mounted my all-seasons or these came from the factory. It seems like Mazda would have been smarter then to put these steel ones on aluminum shafts. so did yours come with the little black ones like bycycle tires come with ? That's what is one my car from now on. Am I the only one to be this lucky ? (OK, STUPID :o )

 

My '04 8 came with little black plastic caps. I would go back to discount tire and at least let them know not to do anyone else a favor by putting on the neat chrome caps.

 

Black plastic caps are stock. How often do you check your tire pressure?

You might want to try spraying the other two that with liquid wrench and letting it soak in overnight before taking them off. Good luck.

 

You might also want to spend a $1 to get plastic caps.

 

My (used) didn't have any valve stem caps. So the guy behind the parts counter gave me some shinny Mazda 6 caps. I have NO IDEA what they are made of.

So can anyone think of what to do, anti-seize compount, etc?

 

Mine came with little gray plastic caps... not black ones. I now feel cheated. I've since replaced them with shiny chrome ones, but don't contend with much salt on the road by the beach.

 

Got my tires replaced at Discount tire. They put back on the little black plastic caps. No chrome caps here. If nothing else works, you can try soaking them in Coca Cola...for some reason, the carbonation combined with the acid will often release them. Not sure why this works, but I have used it before on my lug nuts on a Geo Storm that had been put on WAY too tight with an air wrench. Jumping up and down on the crow bar would not even release them and I didn't have anything else to use in the house.

 

it works because of the carbonation combined with the acid

you have pics of this jumping up and down on the crow bar?
:p

 

Thanks guys. I got the other 2 off without issue. Replaced them both with regular plastic ones, lesson learned. Going to go to Discount tire to have the new TPMS's put in, they weren't shipped until today, at least they were shipped together though. I will discuss the caps with Discount Tire, if only for there eduacation. Maybe I can convince them to do the labor under the road hazard warranty or something, I think they could if they want too, not expecting to be able to prove any fault. Except my own of course. :o

 

DT is usually pretty good about customer service, I would be surprised if they didn't offer to install them for free

BTW, you know how to synch the new sensors with the TPMS system, don't you?

 

I did find that thread, thank you. My dealer had said that "they" would need to that and I would have to bring it back in. Uh, no thanks.

Rosenthaul was able to combine my orders. The shipping was apparently delayed somehow so they were nice enough to upgrade me to NEXT DAY air. UPS unfourtanetly then misrouted my package to Maryland.

So I may be without the car all weekend, what a pain.