Remove metal valve caps? Why?
12-09-2006, 10:03 AM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Remove metal valve caps? Why?
I've been studying up in preparation for my first HPDE. In going over the tech tips from the Chin site, it mentions that metal valve caps must be removed. First I ever heard of such a thing. Can someone explain why? Should I run sans caps or get some plastic ones?
12-09-2006, 10:33 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
I can only imagine that they weigh a lot more than the plastic ones. At high speeds/ G forces you might rip the valvestem clean out, leaving you with a flat on track.
12-09-2006, 01:37 PM
#8
Race Director
I hadn't heard of that before. I've been through tech. with metal caps on mine, raced, and removed them to check pressures, all with no problems.
12-09-2006, 01:51 PM
#10
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
I think Chin meant the center wheel caps (not valve stem caps) because they have a tendency to vibrate out of the wheels while on the track - especially as the wheels heat up from braking. I remove my center caps and leave the valve stem caps on.
12-09-2006, 04:33 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Originally Posted by redvetracr
are you sure they don`t mean the center caps on your wheels?.......I think running at high speed without valve stem caps is a no-no.
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
12-09-2006, 05:34 PM
#13
Team Owner
Originally Posted by AlohaC5
I think Chin meant the center wheel caps (not valve stem caps) because they have a tendency to vibrate out of the wheels while on the track - especially as the wheels heat up from braking. I remove my center caps and leave the valve stem caps on.
When I started doing HPDE's I ran my GS wheels with the center caps and the melted
Metal valve stems are better.
12-09-2006, 05:49 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
definately remove the center caps.
I've heard not to use metal valve stems before (they break instead of bending like the rubber ones do) and not to use plastic caps because they just melt. None of that should matter much for your 1st HPDE
I've heard not to use metal valve stems before (they break instead of bending like the rubber ones do) and not to use plastic caps because they just melt. None of that should matter much for your 1st HPDE
12-09-2006, 07:50 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by redvetracr
are you sure they don`t mean the center caps on your wheels?.......I think running at high speed without valve stem caps is a no-no.
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
legend has it that superbikes would lose air due to the valve opening from c-force never happend to me but i kept the caps on and i believe they were required to be metal ... way back in ninteen hundred and ninty-seven.....
Last edited by TRACKMAN2; 12-09-2006 at 07:55 PM.
12-09-2006, 08:48 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Feb 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by Randy@DRM
stuff that falls off during racing are very unsafe for the corner workers also.
Randy
PS Thanks corner workers for all your hard work!!!
Randy
PS Thanks corner workers for all your hard work!!!
Especially at tracks like NHIS where there are corners that are blind over hills, the corner workers are the only thing between you and a casket.
12-10-2006, 01:30 AM
#19
Tech Contributor
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Just a word of caution about taking off your valve stem caps. I had one get lost on one of my track wheels sometime over the year. At my 2nd HPDE this year I had a flat tire on that wheel. I came into the garage on the 2nd day of the event and noticed the pressure was low in the tire so I added air and checked the pressure a few times before I went out. Two laps later I was in with a flat tire. The tire went flat due to dirt in the valve stem preventing it from sealing.
Bill
Bill