Metal valve stems? Should I upgrade?

[Turbo Cow]

Currently I have rubber valve stem TPMS sensors in my 19" factory rims. I see the FR3Z-1A189-A TPMS sensors will work and do work on GT350s earlier years etc.
Anyone ever upgraded to metal valve stems for safety? Other reasons?
My car has hit 150+ mph a few times, but rarely.

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[SHOdaddy68]

Typically a rubber valve stem will be fine at that speed. A metal stem is generally used when required tire pressures are higher. Like a 10-ply truck tire at 80psi.

I use rubber stems on the race track vs metal because they will flex if something rubs on it where a metal stem may break or bend.

 

[T Fades]

I don't have any evidence of this, but I have heard metal valve stems are less likely to leak.

 

[SHOdaddy68]

You also have to account for the cost of the new metal stem TPMS, installation, and programming.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I don't have any evidence of this, but I have heard metal valve stems are less likely to leak.

The only leaks I’ve seen are at the oring where the valve stem seals to the wheel or at the core, and both metal and plastic tubes are going to have a rubber oring there and the same cores. As for the chances, maybe?

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

When I Drag Raced , NHRA requires a metal valve stem (threaded to secure to the rim ,with a nut or threaded ring on the outside ) that was on the natural rubber tube , bias ply slicks , Drag Radials tubeless I would definitely run metal screw in stems.
On my Mach I opted for metal , just in case I do a club track day track or a few passes at the Drag Strip .

 

[2015 Silver GT]

You also have to account for the cost of the new metal stem TPMS, installation, and programming.

There’s no “programming” with metal valve stems. When I installed my VMS wheels I bought new OEM metal ones ($130.00) and they self learned within the first five miles.

 

[Samiamthemustangman]

I g9t the metal ones off American Muscle and the o rings have held up for a couple months. The biggest advantage about metal valve stems are that I'd think they would be reusable if you changed rims. When I got new tires Tire Kingdom installed my valve stems free. I read the instructions and you have to really take them apart vs just pulling a rubber valve stem in the rim hole.

 

[Craig Brown]

You can reuse the TPMS sensors with rubber stems, just unscrew the sensor from the stem and screw it to the new stem. The new stems come with a new screw. The only downside to metal stems is that if you drive the car in snow and salty conditions, they will rot the stem just below the cap rim and most of them won't separate the stem from the sensor. So, if the stem is bad you have to replace the whole sensor. I won't use metal stems, ever.

 

[Craig Brown]

I had my own tire shop for ten years and the only time I had issues with valve stems were with metal style. I only time a stem would leak was if other shops didn't clean the stem hole in the rim before installing the new stem. I have had to replace many metal stems because of salt corrosion; they are aluminum and it only take a couple of winters to destroy them. I won't use metal stems. Ever! Rubber stems all have brass cores and they won't corrode.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

I had my own tire shop for ten years and the only time I had issues with valve stems were with metal style. I only time a stem would leak was if other shops didn't clean the stem hole in the rim before installing the new stem. I have had to replace many metal stems because of salt corrosion; they are aluminum and it only take a couple of winters to destroy them. I won't use metal stems. Ever! Rubber stems all have brass cores and they won't corrode.

Understandable, but I believe they are only rated to 115 mph about's . What if you not in a wet salty environment?

 

[Craig Brown]

You are wrong it is 130 mph but if that was real, ford mustangs would not install them on all their cars. You have never heard of rubber vale stem failure due to speed. Rubber stems are changed every time new tires are installed so they are not subjected to UV break down but metal stems don't get new rubber seal when tires are installed so the rubber seals get old and are more prone to dry rot and UV degradation.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

You are wrong it is 130 mph but if that was real, ford mustangs would not install them on all their cars. You have never heard of rubber vale stem failure due to speed. Rubber stems are changed every time new tires are installed so they are not subjected to UV break down but metal stems don't get new rubber seal when tires are installed so the rubber seals get old and are more prone to dry rot and UV degradation.

You are wrong , I have metal and they replace when I purchase new tires , In between I've never had a valve stem leak . I was off 15 mph and why I said about's MO covered that 15 mph .
I'll stick with metal on a Performance Car.

 

[Craig Brown]

Then you have a good shop, most don't replace the rubber seals. It is the only shop I have ever heard of that does it.

 

[Gen 6 Mach1]

Then you have a good shop, most don't replace the rubber seals. It is the only shop I have ever heard of that does it.

Discount tire, 35 + years Washington St. now Arizona. My dailys have rubber . My Performance Cars I always use Metal , I never drive them in the rain , unless I leave and it's nice , and then it starts to rain .

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