Valve stem orientation on duals

Fredward · June 14, 2009, 10:25:40 AM

I put my wheels/tires back on after working on the brake actuator. I always line up the inside valve stem and the outside valve stem so I can reach them through the same hole in the stainless simulator. The manual says to put them 180 degrees apart. Why is that? Is it for balance?

Fred

jackhartjr · June 14, 2009, 11:12:08 AM

Not sure why that is Fred.
I will say that for over 30 years we have always put them together, both stud piloted and hub piloted.
Jack

luvrbus · June 14, 2009, 11:32:32 AM

I've always put mine 180 degrees apart for what reason I have no idea , was told to do it that way years ago good luck

NJT 5573 · June 14, 2009, 12:07:26 PM

Balance is one reason, the other is its difficult to check pressures and air through the same hole, the first/front stem can get in the way. Todays better tires are marked with a dot where the light spot on the tire is and that is where the valve stem goes to achieve balance, so if you have those tires, (Bridgestone), it would follow that the stems need to be opposite when used as duals..........

I don't know if any other manufacturer has close enough tolerances to sell a tire that is properly balanced when new, using only the valve stem. Most of the rest probably need weights.

gumpy · June 14, 2009, 01:56:11 PM

Always 180* off.

Hi yo silver · June 14, 2009, 02:23:59 PM

I think it's so you know where to find the stem, even in awkward situations like snow, mud or low light.

Dennis

DaveG · June 14, 2009, 07:25:54 PM

180 so you can access the inside stem, as has been previously stated.

Fredward · June 15, 2009, 01:54:51 PM

Thanks for the replies. I've always the the stems together. But when i put the wheels back on this weekend, and test drove it, it seems like I had a little hop back there going down the highway. I was going to take the outside dual off and put it 180 degrees to see if the "hop" goes away.
Fred