Halibrand valve stems

[boat737]

In the "it wouldn't happen to me" department, went to have the tires mounted, but the supplied valve stems would not fully seat in the rim. The boys at America's Tire pulled out their version of the same stem, and it had a wider seating area, and bam, just like that, they fit . A little tight, but fit. They both had a very similar part number on each one, 413 or something like that. Anyway, tires now all mounted and holding air.

(FF stem on the left, America's Tire stem on the right)

57625

[cgundermann]

Had the same issue and also had to use different valve stems (old school stemless w/cap).

[edwardb]

Those look like the valve stems FF used to provide with the previous wheel version and came with Mk4 #7750. When the tire store mounted my tires several years ago, they didn't mention any problems with them and they're still going strong.

The new build came with wheels from the new supplier from a year or two ago after FF had the big wheel fiasco. I found out FF no longer provides valve stems with the wheels. The tire store had an issue getting either standard or bolt-in stems to fit. Jay at FF knew exactly what valve stem to use (standard TR413 rubber pull-through) and gave me instructions to pass to the installer. They were able to complete the installation.

[boat737]

The new build came with wheels from the new supplier from a year or two ago after FF had the big wheel fiasco. I found out FF no longer provides valve stems with the wheels. The tire store had an issue getting either standard or bolt-in stems to fit. Jay at FF knew exactly what valve stem to use (standard TR413 rubber pull-through) and gave me instructions to pass to the installer. They were able to complete the installation.

Hey Paul, My kit is circa 11/2014 (8439). I didn't know about any FF wheel problems. Anything I should know or worry about?

57635

[edwardb]

Hey Paul, My kit is circa 11/2014 (8439). I didn't know about any FF wheel problems. Anything I should know or worry about?

57635

Nope, nothing to worry about. You have them, right? :D

Factory Five had a series of mishaps with their previous supplier which started out as a major lot of wheels rejected from the factory for quality reasons, then there was a plant fire, all the tooling lost, and so on. I could be leaving some things out. It was a mess. FF invested in new tooling and brought a new supplier on line, which resulted in improved quality and new sizes (like the 18's offered now). But there was about a one year interruption in supply, which understandably upset lots of customers. I don't remember the exact timing, but was roughly two years ago as I recall.

[boat737]

Nope, nothing to worry about. You have them, right? :D

Factory Five had a series of mishaps with their previous supplier which started out as a major lot of wheels rejected from the factory for quality reasons, then there was a plant fire, all the tooling lost, and so on. I could be leaving some things out. It was a mess. FF invested in new tooling and brought a new supplier on line, which resulted in improved quality and new sizes (like the 18's offered now). But there was about a one year interruption in supply, which understandably upset lots of customers. I don't remember the exact timing, but was roughly two years ago as I recall.

Yup. Got them all mounted up and holding air. I think I finally got the brakes all together, and stopped all the leaks (I hope I hope). Doing some preliminary alignments on the front end, finishing up the wiring and dash (I hope I hope), and getting ready for the engine, which should show in 3 or 4 weeks.

[wareaglescott]

I got my 18" wheels Monday. I was expecting not to have the valve stems. They were in the box with the lug nuts. Took the tires to get mounted yesterday and they mounted them with no problems. Maybe they have started sending the correct ones again??

Boat do you have any special tools for the alignment you are using? I got mine to a roller today and was thinking about how to do that. I think I would rather spend a couple hundred on tools than pay a couple hundred for someone else to do it. Particularly because I have asked around and cant get a great local recommendation.

[boat737]

A couple weeks back CraigS got me pointed on the alignment process. I bought the Caster-Camber gauge and the toe alignment bar he suggested. I've only been able to do a rough align so far because the car is still not rolling, nor anywhere near it's road weight. So I set the suspension at ride height and went from there. I did the initial toe with the string method. (lot's of you tube vid's on that.) Once it's on the ground, I'll level it and do the final Caster, Camber and toe adjustments. Here's the thread. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?21361-Upper-Control-Arm-Upper-Ball-Joint-mount-Question You can start with this guy's 3 part vid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZoL1gaWedA

Dan.

[Jazzman]

I didn't want the look of the rubber stems on my nice Hallibrands, so I requested that Discount Tire use only fully metal chrome stems. It took them an extra day or two to find them, but they did, and they look great. I looked on my paperwork, and they did not specifically list a part number for the stems, only the fact that they did them. If anyone is interested in the part number, PM me and I will call Discount Tire and ask them.

[boat737]

I didn't want the look of the rubber stems on my nice Hallibrands, so I requested that Discount Tire use only fully metal chrome stems. It took them an extra day or two to find them, but they did, and they look great. I looked on my paperwork, and they did not specifically list a part number for the stems, only the fact that they did them. If anyone is interested in the part number, PM me and I will call Discount Tire and ask them.

To be honest, over the years (decades) I've had pretty bad luck with the solid stems. Either the gasket rots and leaks, or they get bumped and leak. Most were on boat trailers, and that may explain the harsh use, but I gave up on them.

[edwardb]

Found these on Amazon after the tire store installed the rubber TR413 valve stems on my 18's. Valve Sleeves Chrome Plated Brass (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XKQQII/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Made for that size valve stem versus the universal ones a lot of places sell. They fit perfectly. Best of both worlds.