Front valve stem is leaking

[Loopie]

My front valve stem has decided to start leaking  It is leaking at the base. Can it just be tightened, or do I have to replace it. Also, can I tighten it with the tire on, or does it have to be done from the inside?

Loopie

[Hook#3287]

While I've never done it, I've seen video of doing the swap with two c-claps.  Prop the bike up so the front tire is raised and put the clamps on the tire, I'd say about 3 -4 inches on each side of the stem.  Break the bead and clamp the tire down till you have enough access .

Try a search on you tube.

[Gideon]

Replace the stock valve stem, don't play with it.
I replaced mine and ordered steel valve stems from Jake Wilson.
http://www.jakewilson.com

[Pete]

Search is your friend on that topic and this site.
One clamp and two small boards and a new valve stem.

It the front is leaking within a year the rear usually does also.
So replace the rear also.

Jake Wilson stems are inexpensive and all metal with seals.

[hubcapsc]

Do the thing with the metal stem that Gideon said... there's a couple of kinds:

nuts inside:
http://patchboy.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=17-562&Category_Code=6-3

nuts outside:
https://www.jakewilson.com/p/1753/19082/Myers-90%C2%B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem

I have the nuts inside kind. Once I had to mash my front tire off the bead with some clamps and
tighten them, it is pretty easy on the front.

You need something, like a board, to spread the load of the clamps, otherwise you get scary
and maybe ineffectual point loads...

Good:



Not so good (bead failed to break):



-Mike

[Thunderbolt]

Mike has good pictures and he always has them handy.  Thanks Mike.  I have changed a stem in a parking lot with a large C clamp and two boards.  The one on the back side should contact the rim and the tire, mostly the rim.  The one on the front or side that you want to break loose should have the board in contact with only the tire.

[gordonv]

My front valve stem has decided to start leaking   It is leaking at the base. Can it just be tightened, or do I have to replace it. Also, can I tighten it with the tire on, or does it have to be done from the inside?

Loopie

Only you can answer that ?

Is it a rubber base? Can't be tightened, need to replace. Method above.

Look at the Jake Wilson site. If it has a nut, then you can tighten it. But if the seal is gone, then you need to replace. Method again, is above.

If you are using rubber valve stems, they should be replaced every time the wheel is replaced. Preference is to go to a metal stem with a nut on the outside, as in the Wilson site.