Fitting tyre valves

It looked straightforward but like all these things I haven't done, I er...can't do it. I only spent a couple of minutes looking at it, but roughly, I thought all I needed to do was lube the valve up with some tyre paste and push it through from the outer side of the wheel (i.e. from inside the tyre, if the tyre was on).

But it's being difficult! It wouldn't push through. Do I need to use some kind of press? (which I don't have ) Would one of these tools do anything: http://automotospecializer.com/shop/...DAM-TT-0002%26 it only mentions valve removal but you never know...

Or do I just need to persevere and it will push through eventually? I could warm up the valve on a radiator first, might make it more supple.

Help!

[Spanner Man]

Good morning.


You need to pull them through the hole from the outside. You will need something like one of those 4 in 1 tyre valve tools, similar to the link you have posted, some lube, (MATRON) & fairly strong hands.


Cheers.

[Sid Squid]

It's best to use a tool such as this: Click me! Put the valve through the hole and screw into the tool and then use it as a lever against the handle of your roller* and the rim to pull the valve into the hole.

But if you're too tight to spend a whole tenner, then lube it up with whatever you use to fit tyres**, and with a good bit of thumb pressure at the base of the valve gently move the head in a circle so as to work the lip through the valve hole - it's actually not difficult, and if I can do it, (and I'm very lazy), you certainly can.


* Or any other useful wooden/plastic handled implement you have to hand.
** Please tell me that's not washing up liquid - I'll have to take the time to come and slap you if it is.

Aha, cheers guys. I cba to try and push it through by hand so a tool it is. I take it the 4-in-1 tool is basically the same as the lever tool, except you'll probably need a bit more effort? Any comments on one vs the other?

SS - what do you mean by roller? I have all the equipment to fit tyres at home but I don't know what that is!

And no I don't use washing up liquid I use tyre soap/paste. I mentioned it in my post btw lol

OK, I'm gonna go for the lever style...need to buy it now so hopefully it gets here by the weekend

Will be trying to put my wheels back together post-spraying (so valves, tyres, bearings/seals, etc) so I can move my bike again

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by muffles

Aha, cheers guys. I cba to try and push it through by hand so a tool it is. I take it the 4-in-1 tool is basically the same as the lever tool, except you'll probably need a bit more effort? Any comments on one vs the other?

Specifically the 4-in-1 tool you have is for servicing valves cores, the threaded pieces on it are intended as thread chasers for tidying up valve bodies if the threads are a bit rough, rather than for installing valves - it's a bit harder but it can be done with that tool.

Originally Posted by muffles

SS - what do you mean by roller? I have all the equipment to fit tyres at home but I don't know what that is!

It's used when repairing punctures, the head of the repair is effectively a large flat patch and you use a roller - like this one - to press the patch flat to the inside of the carcass and make sure there's no air trapped behind it so there's full adhesion. The handle of this is perfect as a rest for the valve insertion tool to lever against so you don't lean on the rim and damage the paint, also having the tool working against such a rest, the tool is closer to pulling vertically along the axis of the valve so it goes in easier.

Ah, I see - glad I went for the proper tool then. I can probably find something similar to that roller, cheers again!

[NedSVS]

I have been fitting my own tres for a few years now and fit valves with an improvised tool. Firstly I lube with washing up liquid (more slippy than tyre soap) and use a phillips type screwdriver in the back of the valve that fits in the hole in the rubber but rests on the back of the brass insert. A firm push from the outside and a waggle on the inside with the fingers, where it protrudes through the rim, and it will pop into place. Wipe of excess soap liquid and you're done.