Notices
Series I Do It Yourself Forum Wanna save some coin or time/money in the shop? Read up on Do-It-Yourself custom mods and repairs & post your own here.

DIY: Tire Valve Cap Replacement

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
DIY: Tire Valve Cap Replacement

Finally, the moment I know you've all been waiting for... My step-by-step directions for replacing your tire valve caps!

First, I picked up a pack of "Monkey Grip Aluminum Sport Caps", in fashionable anodized purple, from my local AutoZone, for about $3. Remember, "Nothing grips like the monkey!"

Then, after opening the package by peeling the cardboard backing from the plastic blister, I set about removing the old tire valve caps, by turning them counter-clockwise when look at them from the center of the rim outward (if your tire is rotated as shown, this could be a little confusing, since up and down are reversed):
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:03 PM
  #2  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
Second, place the new tire valve cap on the threads, and gently rotate it clockwise (again, looking out from the center of the rim), until the threads catch and it gently screws down tight. (See figure)

DO NOT USE A HAMMER. Trust me on this one.
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:04 PM
  #3  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
Repeat the first two steps for the other three tires. Then congratulate yourself on a job well done!
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:04 PM
  #4  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
Take a step back and admire your handywork!
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:11 PM
  #5  
Gyro's Avatar
Rotary Abuser
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Great Job!

I printed this out to bring with me when I attemp the same mod. I really don't feel like running back and forth from the car to my office to see the next step. Strong work.

Your right about monkeys though..... Boy do they grip.

anywho, you now can change your signature. Your ride is no longer stock..
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:17 PM
  #6  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
Originally posted by Gyro
anywho, you now can change your signature. Your ride is no longer stock..
Doh, thanks for reminding me!

...Paul
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 08:27 PM
  #7  
titaniumgrey's Avatar
18 year old speed freak
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
From: South Shore MASSachusett
wow , I gotta do this , hot stuff , GOOD job ! lol
Reply
Old May 10, 2004 | 11:12 PM
  #8  
Omicron's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 4
From: Boulder County, Colorado
LOL!!!!! Great, humorous DIY!!! It stays! :D
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:25 AM
  #9  
D MENAC 7's Avatar
Moderator with a mycocardium
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 2
From: Springfield, IL
Wow, you mean it's like lefty loosy and righty tighty? NO WONDER I couldn't get mine to stay on after I put air in my tires. Thanks! You just made my day! :D
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:37 AM
  #10  
MazdaManiac's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 26
From: Under my car
This should be a sticky...
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 03:11 AM
  #11  
HiTMaNN's Avatar
RX-8s Official Cool Guy
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver BC
wow this answers all my questions and MORE!
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 07:02 AM
  #12  
flatso's Avatar
I'm Tantalizing
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
thanks for taking the time to explain something that a lot of us find complicated. Your pictures make it seem soooo easy....well done!
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 09:59 AM
  #13  
Spf006's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Great job, however I fear the terms "gently rotate clockwise" could still lead some readers astray...

I found, in making a modification to the air pressure in my tires (also qualifies for non-stock signature, right?) that an added step can reduce the opportunity for heartache and crossthreading.

When you place the new valve-cap against the valve-stem, first rotate it counter-clockwise for ~1 turn to properly engage the threads, then continue with the clockwise rotation and tightening.

Anybody have torque specs for these?
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 11:24 AM
  #14  
Atacdad's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
ROFLMAO!
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:04 PM
  #15  
flatso's Avatar
I'm Tantalizing
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Originally posted by Spf006
Great job, however I fear the terms "gently rotate clockwise" could still lead some readers astray...

I found, in making a modification to the air pressure in my tires (also qualifies for non-stock signature, right?) that an added step can reduce the opportunity for heartache and crossthreading.

When you place the new valve-cap against the valve-stem, first rotate it counter-clockwise for ~1 turn to properly engage the threads, then continue with the clockwise rotation and tightening.

Anybody have torque specs for these?

are you saying turn left before going right or don't go right at all? Will Canzoomer have a mod that will fix this?

I think Torque is about 250 ft/lbs no sorry that is for the oil filter put on in Japan
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:04 PM
  #16  
RX4+30Years=RX8's Avatar
Do What!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Texas, USA, North America, Earth
Originally posted by Spf006
Great job, however I fear the terms "gently rotate clockwise" could still lead some readers astray...

I found, in making a modification to the air pressure in my tires (also qualifies for non-stock signature, right?) that an added step can reduce the opportunity for heartache and crossthreading.

When you place the new valve-cap against the valve-stem, first rotate it counter-clockwise for ~1 turn to properly engage the threads, then continue with the clockwise rotation and tightening.

Anybody have torque specs for these?
I have found that 10-15 in.lbs works well.:D
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:25 PM
  #17  
Genom's Avatar
Not so Super right now
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: Beyond that there swamp.
Let me mention that these tire valve caps may look awesome now, but the anodized surface is sub-par and you will notice the color is gone in a few weeks. I know since I have already used these same units.

<--- Beware the monkey!
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:30 PM
  #18  
snap-on's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
Can we get a dyno run to see it they increase the total output of the car?

Any Mod is useless with no dyno information.
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:42 PM
  #19  
HIX8's Avatar
'
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Earth
For a real dyno boost, I recommend Street Glow Tire Valve Caps.

Granted, these are much more complex than the plain aluminum caps. No guarantees on your warranty either.
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:44 PM
  #20  
CryoMax's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pacifica, CA
Light-up valve caps are illegal in California, just FYI.

As for the dyno... My butt-dyno says "my wallet feels a little lighter, so I must be going faster."

...Paul
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 12:46 PM
  #21  
RX4+30Years=RX8's Avatar
Do What!
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Texas, USA, North America, Earth
My dealership installs idiot light valve caps just to supplement the $82 electronic sensors. They are green if you have air in your tires and red if you don't.

They are nice although I think I might notice the tire being flat before I noticed the valve cap being red.

"Humm flat tire. Maybe, maybe not...Yup confirmed. Valve cap is red! Duh!"

Oh yeah, they install the same as the purple monkeys.
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 01:03 PM
  #22  
flatso's Avatar
I'm Tantalizing
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
I just saw a show that says you loose 12 hp by using these caps. Very cap inefficient or something like that
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 01:04 PM
  #23  
Nubo's Avatar
Lubricious
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,425
Likes: 4
From: SF Bay Area, California
Originally posted by Spf006

Anybody have torque specs for these?
As long as you have bannana on your fingers you can't over-tighten them.
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 01:17 PM
  #24  
MazdaManiac's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 16,386
Likes: 26
From: Under my car
Originally posted by flatso
I just saw a show that says you loose 12 hp by using these caps. Very cap inefficient or something like that
You probably have to retune your caps because of the new PCM re-flash.

You can't just throw the same caps on different RX-8s and expect the same gains. You need to install a wide-band tire pressure gauge and do G-Tech runs in all gears to observe the change in tread temperatures.
Reply
Old May 11, 2004 | 01:25 PM
  #25  
Parmer8's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Austin,Tx
AHHHHH. Can someone please make this instruction a bit simpler. I still can't get my stem cap off!!!

How long did this mod take?:D
Reply


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 5.00 average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:05 AM.