A hand tool capable of handling and forcibly inserting and anchoring a rubber valve stem in an opening provided therefor in a tubeless tire rim. This tool is unique in that it, unlike prior art tools, accomplishes the insertion and mounting step from the exterior of the rim and, in so doing, obviates the necessity of laboriously freeing and disenaging the bead of the mounted tire from the rim. Novel end thrust means provides a projectible and retractable leading end engageable with the usual self-contained fitting. The end thrust means forcibly stretches and reduces the cross-sectional dimension of the valve stem for passage through the rim opening. Conversely, when retracted the valve stem returns to normal. The outstanding rim abutting flanges are lodged in place in a manner to seat and anchor the valve stem.
A method and apparatus for installing and replacing a valve stem from the valve stem rim opening defined in the rim of a tubeless tire from the outside of the rim, such tool including a threaded rod for engaging the valve stem and pulling the valve stem through an inwardly tapered first tube into a second tube dimensioned to fit into the valve stem rim opening, the flange of the valve stem is gradually compressed, and after the tapered tube is removed the second tube is placed in the rim opening and the valve stem is pushed into the valve stem opening using only manual force.
