ARB EZ-deflator problem

buckallred · 2018-05-07T13:51:49-07:00

Hi: I have one of these: ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator, Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LQCDOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tZr8AbME0M3HR The problem is that it doesn't work. When I thread the thing onto the outer valve stem threads, the plunger part is supposed to grab the actual valve stem core and unscrew it (removing the stem), so then you can slide the mechanism forward and backward to quickly let air out and check the tire pressure. For mine, the plunger does not grab the valve stem. The end of the plunger appears to have/be a slotted mechanism, while the valve stem appears to be perfectly round. So the plunger doesn't have the ability to grab and rotate the valve stem like a screwdriver. At first I thought that maybe my tires and rims were so old that I had some sort of obsolete/ancient valve stems. Since then I've replaced the tires and rims and valve stems. The thing still doesn't work. I've done some Googling and apparently I'm the only person on the planet who has run into this problem. Typical luck for me. Has anyone here run into this? Is the fix to go to a tire shop and tell them that I need the same type of valve stems that the rest of the world has? Talk about a ridiculous problem to have to waste time figuring out. . . Thanks for any / all help.

buckallred Member Joined: October 2016
buckallred Member Joined: October 2016
#17 May 2018, 1:51 PM
Hi:

I have one of these:

ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator, Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LQCDOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_tZr8AbME0M3HR

The problem is that it doesn't work. When I thread the thing onto the outer valve stem threads, the plunger part is supposed to grab the actual valve stem core and unscrew it (removing the stem), so then you can slide the mechanism forward and backward to quickly let air out and check the tire pressure. For mine, the plunger does not grab the valve stem. The end of the plunger appears to have/be a slotted mechanism, while the valve stem appears to be perfectly round. So the plunger doesn't have the ability to grab and rotate the valve stem like a screwdriver.

At first I thought that maybe my tires and rims were so old that I had some sort of obsolete/ancient valve stems. Since then I've replaced the tires and rims and valve stems. The thing still doesn't work.

I've done some Googling and apparently I'm the only person on the planet who has run into this problem. Typical luck for me. Has anyone here run into this? Is the fix to go to a tire shop and tell them that I need the same type of valve stems that the rest of the world has? Talk about a ridiculous problem to have to waste time figuring out. . . Thanks for any / all help.

Buck & Katie
kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
#27 May 2018, 2:15 PM
Use the standard t-handle tool in your tire repair kit and break the core loose, sometimes the shops over-tighten the hell out of them and you cant get enough twist on them with the little deflator.

Or try someone elses at the Club meeting, it may be defective. These things are all mass produced in China and though ARB is on the better side in terms of QA/QC but they cant test all of them before shipping.
Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
#37 May 2018, 11:30 PM
Buck, you should be able to use the tool to unscrew the entire valve core to let air out and then screw it back in when your are aired down. The tip of the tool should be slotted like this.

On the ARB tire deflator you use the middle part of the tool to screw the deflator onto the valve's threads. Then you push the plunger in and turn it counter-clockwise to unscrew the valve core. One the valve core is loose, you then slide the shaft of the tool out to let the air escape. If air doesn't come out then try turning the plunger counter-clockwise some more and then side the shaft out again. Slide the shaft in periodically to stop the air flow to read the pressure. Once you reach the desired pressure then slide the shaft in and turn it clockwise to screw the core back in. Is the tip of the shaft of your tool slotted like the on in this picture? If not then yours might be defective.
Jeff and Kathy Root
Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
#47 May 2018, 11:54 PM
I have had this problem & was solved by what Jeff said above. The other problem was the inaccuracy of the gauge (though not related to the issues at hand). The gauge was so far off, I threw it away & put an alter-market one on, which works fine. I question the quality of ARB products at times.
k-jeep Member Joined: May 2009
k-jeep Member Joined: May 2009
#58 May 2018, 1:27 AM
Bring it to the meeting and we can take a look and compare. I have one and never had any issues (yet).
buckallred Member Joined: October 2016
buckallred started this Member Joined: October 2016
#68 May 2018, 2:05 AM
Thanks for all the input. . per Jeff's post, the tip of the ARB tool is indeed slotted. For whatever reason, it won't grab or engage the valve stem core. It may well be operator error (usually a safe assumption with me!). I did read the instructions carefully and also watched a Youtube video to make sure I was using it correctly. . . I will try Kris' suggestion re: removing the valve core with a T-handle. That may be the issue.

I am probably going to miss the meeting this THU, but will be at the clean-up this SAT.

Frustrating thing to have not working. . I don't get to make many runs, so it would be nice to have the easy stuff actually be easy once in awhile. . .😠😠😠

Buck & Katie
Mike G Member Joined: October 2016
Mike G Member Joined: October 2016
#78 May 2018, 4:16 AM
Side note Tyler is making central tire deflation and re-inflater system and will be selling them. It came through one on his MORR emails I get and it's sounds just like what the military uses

Mike G
Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
#88 May 2018, 5:06 AM
Buck, I suspect that after you thread it on you're not sliding the outer body of the tool far enough towards the valve for the core removal tool to engage the core. These can be a little tricky to use until you get the hang of it!

Jeff and Kathy Root
k-jeep Member Joined: May 2009
k-jeep Member Joined: May 2009
#98 May 2018, 9:31 AM
buckallred said ... so it would be nice to have the easy stuff actually be easy once in awhile. . .😠😠😠

Nothing is EVER easy when working on/with your rig! 😂
buckallred Member Joined: October 2016
buckallred started this Member Joined: October 2016
#109 May 2018, 2:40 AM
OK I tried it again.

The plunger will not slide forward far enough to engage the valve stem, even after the tool is threaded all the way over the valve (as far as it will thread). I tried it every way possible, including forcing it. The tool is defective.

Yet another valuable lesson: I spent $35 on this piece of shit when I should have spent the $75 to get the Staun deflators that are pretty well-known to work properly. . . sigh.

Nothing is EVER easy when working on/with your rig! 😂

This. . . yep!

Buck & Katie
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
#119 May 2018, 10:13 AM
I love my Staun deflators. 15 years and still going strong.

I used to wheel a lot. . .
Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
#1211 May 2018, 1:29 PM
It’s 4 wheeling if it was easy everyone would be doing it lol😂
Tyler - K6TLR Subscriber
Tyler - K6TLR Subscriber
#1312 May 2018, 5:08 AM
buckallred said OK I tried it again. The plunger will not slide forward far enough to engage the valve stem, even after the tool is threaded all the way over the valve (as far as it will thread). I tried it every way possible, including forcing it. The tool is defective. Yet another valuable lesson: I spent $35 on this piece of shit when I should have spent the $75 to get the Staun deflators that are pretty well-known to work properly. . . sigh. Nothing is EVER easy when working on/with your rig! 😂 This. . . yep!

I am not a big fan of the staun deflators. I have a set, and I have found that they are not accurate under 12psi at all (I never go wheeling above 10psi). And, they get super inaccurate at different elevations. You may set them to deflate to 15psi at 100ft elevation, but when you get up to 5000ft +, they only deflate to like 17 or 18.

I have a spare ez deflator you can have if you want. It works awesome. Or I can show you my MORRFlate (Patented now!) at the next meeting... I am just waiting on a couple of new parts to come in before I produce the first batch... already have 17 pre-orders though.