I had a flat tire last night when I left work.

[redqueen]

I took it to the tire place today, and it turns out it was because the thing in the valve stem that holds in the air was loose. I forgot the name of it already.

Have you ever heard of such a thing?

[1gobluedem]

1. Yes

That used to happen routinely to me with my Ford Contour. Not with any other car, though. Weird.

[redqueen]

3. Cool... thanks.

The guy that fixed it made me all paranoid by asking me before he said what was wrong, "Do you know anyone who might be vindictive toward you?" He said it doesn't happen on its own.

Pfft... :P

[Rambis]

2. Valve Stem

Happens sometimes and it is a cheap fix which is good because tyres are pricey these days. I had to drive on my last flat because I could not get the tire off at all!

[redqueen]

4. Argh... that's so annoying. The bolts were over tightened, yes?

Had the same problem last night. Thank goodness the security guard came by, cause I would have had a devil of a time getting those off.

They should only torque them so much... I hate when they go all rambo putting on the bolts.

[NV Whino]

7. It's a guy thing

Tighten lug nuts beyond tight.
Stretch bungie cords beyond their stretch point.
Tighten faucet handles so they smash the washers.
Screw hose connections so tight they become part of the faucet, never to be removed.

Drives me nuts.

[jobycom]

13. We almost killed a semi-popular rock band once by not tightening the lugs enough.

[redqueen]

14. Did you not have a torque wrench on hand?

Why does no one ever use a torque wrench?

[jobycom]

15. Dunno. I'm just the accountant.

I'd imagine the airguns are set to the proper torque.

[Parche]

5. oh yeah

The valve stem temperment device
Its used to permit air flow between the treads of the tire and regulates the
certain molecules to react to the road using the traction device that is
built into the system, losing that causes a sharp reaction by the driver
as the flow of air is not balanced in between the 2 areas that would cause
a reduced capacity level of operation.


So there

:hi: :hug:

[redqueen]

6. Err... huh?

:dunce:

Is that plane stuff? Or just fancy new tire stuff? I don't have those fancy new tires with all that stuff on there that sends signals to the dashboard.

[LostinVA]

8. Yes, that's happened to me

I fixed it for about $3.

[Symarip]

9. I believe it's called a schroeder valve

Or something like that. It just takes a 50 cent replacement and a two dollar special wrench to put in.

I share the mechanic's concern. I've never seen one just fall out by itself.

[guitar man]

10. correct, the schrader valve

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/generalinfo/l/bldef_724a.htm

[redqueen]

11. It was free cause I got the whatever it is

that makes it free. They had to fix it for free, and rotate and balance 'em too. Hurray!

[IndianaJones]

12. put nitrogen in your tires and they wouldn't leak. nt.