Abstract: An axle wheel end assembly (10) is provided for vehicles having an onboard tire inflation system (12). The wheel end assembly includes a rotary seal assembly (68) defining an annular air chamber (70) which seal assembly is received in a relatively protected inboardly opening annular space (69) defined by an axle spindle surface (66) and an axially inboardly extending sleeve (62) of the hub (42). Open/close valve member (110) is located outboard of the hub flange (50) interposed the fluid connections between the annular air chamber (70) and the opening (120) to the tire rim (122) for isolating the interior of the tire rim from the inflation system for storage and/or steady state driving conditions.