wheel Refurbishment (Valve Question)
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- ALP
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wheel Refurbishment (Valve Question)
Hi all
I'm in the process of choosing a company to do a full refurbishment of my Classic wheels (B3s) and I've had a comment back from one company about the valves.
Do the valves have to be removed from our wheels before we have a refurb? Can the thread be damaged as part of the restoration and has anyone else ever had a problem with this when getting their wheels done?
Many thanks
Pete
I'm in the process of choosing a company to do a full refurbishment of my Classic wheels (B3s) and I've had a comment back from one company about the valves.
Do the valves have to be removed from our wheels before we have a refurb? Can the thread be damaged as part of the restoration and has anyone else ever had a problem with this when getting their wheels done?
Many thanks
Pete
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2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
I think most people just send their wheels in as they are off the car so still with tyres, valves & wheel weights - that's what I've always done with Platinum Alloy Wheel Solutions and they then remove the tyres, valves & weights, re-furb the wheel and put tyre and valve back and re-balance. If the people you're talking to don't know this I'd steer well clear and use someone with recommendations - such as PAWS in Swindon.
Last edited by BarryM on Mon Jul 30, 2018 11:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
Pete, it's a fair question they've asked, as the valve supplies air to the mounted tyre via a hollow spoke. If you remove the valve then anything, eg. Blast media will find its way down the hollow spoke. I think the preferred method is to leave the valve in place and carefully mask around it for protection.
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet
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- ALP
- Posts: 159
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- Location: Northamptonshire
Yes, that's pretty much what I'm trying to work out - whether the refurb can actually be done without removing the valves or if it's not possible with the acid dip etc.
The company come highly recommended but have raised some concerns over a small chance of valve / thread damage.
The company come highly recommended but have raised some concerns over a small chance of valve / thread damage.
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2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
My wheels were refurbed and it looks like they kept the valves in and masked it off.
One of my wheels a year later had a slow air escape and it was down to the rubber O ring within the valve. I don't know if the refurb/heating process perishes the rubber in anyway but £5 odd later and a new valve and it was sorted.
One of my wheels a year later had a slow air escape and it was down to the rubber O ring within the valve. I don't know if the refurb/heating process perishes the rubber in anyway but £5 odd later and a new valve and it was sorted.
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- ALP
- Posts: 159
- Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:48 pm
- Location: Northamptonshire
You need a thin walled slightly deeper than standard socket and I think one of mine from my small set just fitted - then very easily removed. I've just ordered a couple to replace the two I have on my front wheels just because they look a bit tired and also so there's no danger of the O ring leaking.
2001 Alpina B10 V8 #185
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
1982 Krauser MKM1000 #121 - sold
Company that refurbed mine masked off instead of removing. When I went to collect the car 3/4 tyres were flat from the day before... Leaking from the valves which had been baked as part of the powder coating process.
Thread was then stripped on alloy as they tried to just nip up the valves.
Wheel was sent to be helicoiled FOC, and had a more competent garage check over one I got them back. Not had any problems since.
As has been mentioned, need a thin wall socket to get to the nut. Especially if powder coating as this adds a bit more thickness than paint. Believe the refurb garage stripped my threads because socket would have been very difficult to turn in such a tight fit and they've consequently over-torqued.
Thread was then stripped on alloy as they tried to just nip up the valves.
Wheel was sent to be helicoiled FOC, and had a more competent garage check over one I got them back. Not had any problems since.
As has been mentioned, need a thin wall socket to get to the nut. Especially if powder coating as this adds a bit more thickness than paint. Believe the refurb garage stripped my threads because socket would have been very difficult to turn in such a tight fit and they've consequently over-torqued.
B3 3.3 Coupé #239
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- ALP
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Thanks for the info all.
I didn't really want to have to remove myself as I tend to be a bit ham fisted with things like that. It sounds like if they remain on during the process, the chances are the O-rings will be knackered so need to be removed.
I think I'll pick up some new valves as part of the refurb so at least I know there's brand new O-rings etc. I'm more concerned about the thread being stripped really.
I didn't really want to have to remove myself as I tend to be a bit ham fisted with things like that. It sounds like if they remain on during the process, the chances are the O-rings will be knackered so need to be removed.
I think I'll pick up some new valves as part of the refurb so at least I know there's brand new O-rings etc. I'm more concerned about the thread being stripped really.
_____________________________________
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
2008 BMW Alpina B3 Biturbo Coupe no.137
2003 BMW Alpina B3s Coupe no.16
2014 BMW 525d M-Sport
2010 BMW 320d M-Sport
2000 BMW Alpina B3 3.3 Saloon no. 213
1995 BMW 328i Coupe
1989 Ford Escort XR3i lux
Maybe a silly question but I'll ask it anyway.
I have a leaking valve on the front near side wheel. Is this an easy remove and replace job? Is it a case of removing the pressure from the tyre through the old valve, change out the valve, then repressure through the new valve?
If so, I'll get a new valve ordered up.
thanks
Ben
I have a leaking valve on the front near side wheel. Is this an easy remove and replace job? Is it a case of removing the pressure from the tyre through the old valve, change out the valve, then repressure through the new valve?
If so, I'll get a new valve ordered up.
thanks
Ben
2005 Roadster S #306 - owned since 2018
2009 B3 Bi-turbo coupe #157 - owned since 2011
2015 F31 335d Xdrive - purchased Sept 2021
2009 B3 Bi-turbo coupe #157 - owned since 2011
2015 F31 335d Xdrive - purchased Sept 2021
Yes, this is the process.flyboyben wrote: Is this an easy remove and replace job? Is it a case of removing the pressure from the tyre through the old valve, change out the valve, then repressure through the new valve?
You will however need a thin walled socket as the access to the valve is very tight.
2019 G31 B5 Biturbo No.299
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet
2012 F10 D5 Biturbo No.13
1993 Mercedes 190E 2.6 Sportline spec
1991 Mk1 Golf GTI Sportline cabriolet
hanging wheels to dry
I spoke to a local wheel refurb place that was recommended by a well respected local bodyshop. The wheel refurb place told me that they normally hang the alloys up to dry after the powder coating by the valves (keeping them in) so as not to leave any marks on the newly applied powder coating on the alloy. Because the Alpina B10 V8 18" wheels have the value underneath the wheel cover, he suggested it wasn't possible to hang them up in this manner and that he'd need to hang them up somewhere along the inside of the wheel where the tyre would go. Does this sound right to you?
2001 E39 B10 V8 Saloon, Facelift, Alpina Blue Metallic, 18" wheels, No. 068/1