VIR Construction Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Well.......
That's the problem.
I went to remove the old Schrader Valve, as a new one came with the kit. The old one in there didn't want to come out, like a conventional one that just screws out. It unscrewed but remained held in there. I got a needle nose on it and pulled: some of it came out, some of it remained in there. Now I got a mess on my hands and not sure how to proceed. To trash a whole VIR Top just because of a busted Schrader Valve doesn't sit well with me.
Steve
That's the problem.
I went to remove the old Schrader Valve, as a new one came with the kit. The old one in there didn't want to come out, like a conventional one that just screws out. It unscrewed but remained held in there. I got a needle nose on it and pulled: some of it came out, some of it remained in there. Now I got a mess on my hands and not sure how to proceed. To trash a whole VIR Top just because of a busted Schrader Valve doesn't sit well with me.
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Check the local parts store for a combination tool that has an easy-out, tap and die for tire valve stems. The easy-out should get the old piece of the schrader valve out.
Tool
Tool
This tool works great, have had one for years and it's saved me a few times.
Both tire stems and a/c work.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thanks for the tip guys. I forgot all about that tool. Everyone out there at the shop has one in their toolbox!
I first screwed the tap side of the tool down in there. Screwed it in pretty hard too, until I could not turn it anymore by hand (fingers). It compressed what valve remanents were in there.
Then I took a 5/32" drill bit and went at it. I then pulled this out.
The old valve part just stuck to the drill bit.
Hole now clear;
..and accepts a new air valve.
Blind luck.
Steve
I first screwed the tap side of the tool down in there. Screwed it in pretty hard too, until I could not turn it anymore by hand (fingers). It compressed what valve remanents were in there.
Then I took a 5/32" drill bit and went at it. I then pulled this out.
The old valve part just stuck to the drill bit.
Hole now clear;
..and accepts a new air valve.
Blind luck.
Steve
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Thanks for the help folks.
Next challenge: Engineer this tool to remove the Expansion Valve Capsule so as to clean and replace the O-rings inside. It's really gummed up and somewhat "glued" in place. 
Steve
Steve