Tire inflation access on wheel pants

Mark Cigal · #1 09-10-2022, 10:39 AM

Greetings all. I presently have a 1 inch hole with a spring close door in my main wheel pants to access the tire stem. It's really difficult to get the valve cover on and off and insert the extension for the inflation of the tire. I would like to modify the present set up and wanted to see what everyone else uses. Please show me your set up. Thanks.......

Bill Boyd · #2 09-10-2022, 10:57 AM

I leave the valve caps off. Access the 90 degree stems through a hole similar to yours using an inflator with a whip hose on the end. Ground off the toggle latching mechanism so it functions as a straight push-on chuck. The hose is stiff enough to push and stay on the stem if you hold it there while inflating. Did this with the 6A and now with the 10.

All I lack now is index paint marks on the tires so I can know when the stem is aligned with the hole inn the pant.

I was daydreaming the other day about magnets, reed switches and a way to have an LED in the nose of the pant light up when the position is correct.

wirejock · #3 09-10-2022, 11:16 AM

Seems like a section of hose would fit over the valve stem cap. Cut a piece the right size maybe 2" long. Snug fit over a piece of rod for a handle. Once loose it will come off. Leave it in the tool. Screw it back on and pull the tool off.
I haven't tried making it so maybe it won't work.

As an old bus tire mechanic, there are all sorts of staight chucks for inflating. Something like this on a straight section of threaded pipe.
EPAuto 2 Pack Open Flow Straight Lock-On Air Chuck with Clip for Tire Inflator https://a.co/d/i9oNU3e

Roadjunkie1 · #4 09-10-2022, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wirejock

Seems like a section of hose would fit over the valve stem cap. Cut a piece the right size maybe 2" long. Snug fit over a piece of rod for a handle. Once loose it will come off. Leave it in the tool. Screw it back on and pull the tool off.

That is exactly what I use. I have a hole in the wheel pant covered with a hole snap fitting that is held more firmly with a screw going through that into a small rectangle of aluminum with a RivNut on the inside of the wheel pant. I have a 3 inch piece of old 3/8 inch fuel line hose that stays in my aircraft tool kit. I have one with a handle in my hangar tool box. Someone sells them somewhere but the fuel line works very well. I used a scrap I took off the Cub. Simple. Works well.

I have two valve stem extensions that, put together, are the perfect length to stick out of the wheel pant and allow for easy inflation. Not sure where I got them but AutoZone etc comes to mind..... Also in my aircraft tool box....

Carl Froehlich · #5 09-10-2022, 11:55 AM

I carry a 1/4” drive handle with a 10mm socket in it. A tire mark pointing down when the stem is lined up with the wheel pant hole. I found this to work much better than the hose method - and the 10mm socket fits the valve extension to make sure it is tight on the valve stem.

Carl

MED · #6 09-10-2022, 12:05 PM

I use hex steel stem covers and remove them with a 3/8” nut driver. Then, I install a short extension which allows me to easily access the end fitting with an air pump. I believe I bought the extension from Cleveland.

noelf · #7 09-10-2022, 12:46 PM

I also have the spring loaded round access covers. What a pain. If I were to ever re-due the covers, I would fabricate a fiberglass door cover that would be held in place with a single screw. I have seen pictures of this solution in some of the forums.

Ralph Inkster · #8 09-10-2022, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noelf

I also have the spring loaded round access covers. What a pain. If I were to ever re-due the covers, I would fabricate a fiberglass door cover that would be held in place with a single screw. I have seen pictures of this solution in some of the forums.

This is what I found best solution for me. I also use the hunk of hose to remove the cap & 4" valve extension to fill the tire.

koupster · #9 09-10-2022, 02:13 PM

Made an extension long enough to fit my application by using three inexpensive 1 1/4 inch extensions piggybacked.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...0/15497?pos=12
Put a little super glue on the threads, and they've stayed connected.

togaflyer · #10 09-10-2022, 02:37 PM

Buy this through Amazon or where even: 6 Inch Valve Stem Extenders (used for Dually Valve Stem)

As mentioned, make a mark on the tire so when the mark is at the lowest point the stem aligns with the hole in the wheel pant

Buy about 6 inches of tube that the stem cover (cap) will slide into, I think 3/8 inch, stick a piece of dowling mostly into the tube, this acts a stiffener, leaving enough space for the stem cap to slide into the other end. This becomes a stem cap remover/installer.