Lately, I have been having traction issues in the rear end. Nothing serious, but noticable given that I do have LS on the rear end.

So I checked the tire pressure which is supposed to be 32lbs back there... it was 22.5 in one and 23 in the other... Yeiks. So I check the front and they were each about 8lbs low! I filled them to spec and went on feeling pretty stupid not to have checked them long ago.

Traction issues started again.... checked pressure again... same problem.

I didn't have time to take to dealer, so I stopped at the local tire place and they checked it out.

All 4 valve stems were bad! They replaced them for me and told me no charge.... apparently they are Michelin/BFG authorized as a Ford OEM Warranty center.

Very weird, eh?

 

yyeeaaahh!!!!..thanks for the 'heads up'

 

Good heads up

I check mine at least once a week or every two weeks. I have one that loses about 2 lbs every two weeks, most likely valve stem.

 

I had the same problem with my 2000 F150 before I got my new truck. Except I was losing about 2 lbs every couple of days. It went flat on me a couple of times. I took it up to a tire place and they put a new valve stem on it and it never had that problem again.

I think the valve stems go bad when we are washing our tires and accidently bending the valve stems too much and causing them to break. Thats why I am very careful on rims, expecially around the valve stem


Post 400

 

And make sure you check the pressure when the tires are "cold"! Driving even a mile or two before checking can change the pressure!

 

And don't forget to check your spare either!

 

MMMMM... very good point. Where do we look to find the correct pressure for the spare? Its not on the pressure sticker in the fuel door.

 

It's the same tire under there thus, it'd be the same as your regular 4 wouldn't it? Or do you keep the spare slightly less?

 

hmm....maybe i should check the tire pressure on the spare on my 85. Heck, it hasn't been off the truck since sometime in 86 for the 5 tire rotation. been back there ever since

 

I'd keep the spare at a high pressure than the rest of the tires. It'll give it some air to lose as well as let you adjust the pressure down if you every have to use it.

People who store cars for awhile will over inflate the tires to keep them from getting flat spots so I image it wouldn't hurt a spare.

 

Very good point intel. I agree with your logic. I really need to crawl under there and check the pressure...

It's just going to take one screw up and I'll need it... and, if it's low, I'll be screwed!

RP

 

Yep, I agree, I keep my spare at about 40psi...

 

So, just in case you run across the empty ski-boat filled with bikini clad women, you can drop the spare and use it as an tube to pull behind the boat?

(BTW--- little known fact... women in bikini's on tubes loose their tops easily when being thrown at 30+mph off of the tube... can't say no one told you this tid bit).

RP

 

And I thought I'd never learn anything of true value from this board!

 

I already knew that!