Broken Valve Core Removal with Tool?

[mmranch]

I have some liquid-filled (calcium chloride) R4 tires/tubes that I am trying to replace the valve cores on (standard stem... not 2-piece). I know about it as I've done it before and am trying to replace the valve cores at regular intervals to avoid corrosion and this very problem.

But of course I waited too long and there was some corrosion and when I went to remove the first valve core... the core seemed to unscrew just fine but the slotted head with threads, shaft and spring came out but the outer sleeve of the core (where the core o-ring resides) is still in the hole. Air is escaping out through the center hole (it's capped for the moment).

I want to remove the core outer sleeve portion from the valve stem. I have had success with this very problem before but can't remember precisely how I did it. I think I used the 4-way tool with the pointed tap to remove the broken portion. But I can't remember the direction to turn the tap tool to make it pull out the portion.

Seems like since the core threaded head already came out easily... there is nothing about the remaining core that is threaded and the portion should be able to be pulled out. Thought about trying a hooked paper clip or pin to go into the center hole and then hook the portion and pull it out. Might be able to get some hemostats on it and pull it out.

Any suggestions on how to use the 4-way tap tool to coax it out?

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Sheldon Hamblin]

I would use a "Screw Extractor" sometimes called an "Easy Out". Insert the size that will start into the core, turn it counter clockwise, and the core should back out.

 

[Ford850]

I've always used the 4 in one tool and screwed it into the stem counter clockwise, so it will bite and unscrew the guts. Works similar to the Easy Out that Sheldon mentioned, but that tool also has the tap to clean up the threads afterwards.

 

[mmranch]

Thanks very much to all for the tips!

Turns out I was right and the core remains were barely in there. Used a large size paperclip and bent about a 1/32 90 degree bend in the tip. Put it through the center hole and was able to pull out the remains. Both cores replaced now (2nd core extracted intact). Old cores were in there one year.

Thanks again.