I'm on my second year using the "spinner" anti-theft valve stem caps. But now they're stuck! I can't get them off to check tire pressure. They just won't budge, even using needle nose pliers on the stem and another pair of pliers on the cap. I've sprayed WD40 on them hoping some would seep into the threads but they're still stuck. Any suggestions, short of bringing the car into MINI for valve stem replacement surgery?

 

dang... so your car thinks you're a theif now...

not sure how you would remove those caps...perhaps some heat and
tapping with a box wrench or something might break the corrosion
in the threads.

 

just had the same thing happen to mine...wouldn't have even known it except i saw a note on my service report from the dealer that the valve caps were seized to the stem.

tried a pliers...no go, damaged the caps, coulda snapped the stem if i wasn't careful. tried some wd40 and pb blaster...no go. then boiled some water, ran out to the car, used a little measuring ladel/butter warmer to pour the water over the stem and valve caps...they came right off. no problem.

will put some grease or vaseline on the next set of caps to avoid this problem next time.

 

sorry, no remedy

i had my valve stems replaced, and no longer use metal stem caps

 

How do anti-theft stem caps work? What do they protect, and how? Are they to prevent people from stealing air?

 

Yeah thats the problem with metal caps...they react to the stems and pretty much corrode on there.

Has nothing to do with anti-theft, but the fact that they are metal....im sure having to use the key or whatever it is doesnt help!