:: Diary - August 2017 ::

:: Saturday, August 5, 2017 ::

Remember the softening tyre from last week? Well it seems to have gone sift again, over the past week. Not a lot, but definitely visible.

I take off the wheel trim and the little valve cover, and try to check that the valve core is tight. My valve tool doesn’t reach, the rim is in the way because there’s no valve stem. I need a valve core tool with a longer reach.

I know there’s one along at the farm, but I can’t be arsed going for it. I also can’t be arsed trailing around Halfords etc knowing that the ones they sell are the same as the one I already have.

I measure the inside diameter of a tyre valve - 5mm.

Then I go through my tool box looking at broken tools etc that might be the same size, and find a T-handled screwdriver that I got free, sellotaped to the cover of a “Practical Motorist” or “Car Mechanics” magazine 40 years ago (yes I know… 40 years…). The blade is broken, but the stem measures 4.5mm. Perfect!

I put it in a vice and grind off the blade, then turn it upwards and cut a thin slot up the centre.

Try it in the valve - it works! I tighten up the core, and then inflate the tyre.

Then I go round the other 3 tyres - they are all slightly loose as well.

See, I knew that old free broken screwdriver would come in handy one day!