Tire sensor issue with chromed caps

Treebasher · 09-20-2006, 07:37 PM

I just got a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers today and like them a lot, so far. When the guy at the shop went to remove the caps on valve stems they were seized. I lost a couple of the stock stem caps and had replaced the stock stem caps with a cheap set of chromed caps. The guy was able to get off three of the caps but broke one of the valve stems taking off the fourth. Their explanation was that the chromed caps carrode quicker with air/moisture with the nickle stems on the sensors??? I have no idea if this is the real reason or not but the metal caps on metal stems were no good.

He called right after it happened and said they broke one and that would be another $50 for a new sensor(luckily in stock). After a breif discussion about who broke what, we met in the middle and I paid $25. I figure this was 1/2 my fault.

He also said that all cars will have pressure sensors in a couple of years(gov. regs). They have specific grey, plastic caps with a rubber O-ring on the tip, that they use. He was suprised the dealer didn't say something about the caps during oil changes. Which makes wonder how they were able to check the tire air pressure they said they checked.

That's the last time I trust anyone working on the truck.

I just thought I'd share. I snapped a couple of crappy pictures to show the corrosion on the broken stem.

rynomx785 · 09-20-2006, 07:48 PM

I worked at a tire shop for almost 2 years. They dont corrode the idiot taking off the tire forgets that it is there and brakes it with the tire machine. It happened fairly often at the shop I worked at but we payed for them not the customer.

Treebasher · 09-20-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rynomx785

I worked at a tire shop for almost 2 years. They dont corrode the idiot taking off the tire forgets that it is there and brakes it with the tire machine. It happened fairly often at the shop I worked at but we payed for them not the customer.

I'm thinking I'm going to take the sensor back to the dealer. I just had the truck in for an oil change yesterday. They fill out a checklist sheet that shows the tire pressure for each tire! Someone is lying... Either the dealer is not checking the tire pressure during the oil changes or the grease monkeys at the tire shop are idiots and broke the stem. However, I have the stem in hand and I can see quite a bit of crap in the threads. I'm leaning toward a problem with cheap chromed caps.

TitanBlue · 09-20-2006, 08:42 PM

Treebasher,
I just mailordered rims and had installed at local shop. They showed and warned me of danger of breaking sensors, esp. since angle changed on new rims vs oem steel. That is first issue.
Second issue now: At our Charm City Titan meet last week, I was showing/discussing the solid brass body of my "8 Ball" valve caps vs myoldblue anodized caps that had traditional black nylon caps inserted in them. (One of them lost grip to the aluminum and I had to use pliers and pull it off the stem). Buddy related he had chrome metal caps like you had, and they corroded onto the stem. He now puts a little grease on the chrome ones.
So dealer "may" have broken it getting cap off, not tire from rim. $50 good price, as dealer is $115. $25 good compromise.
Yeah, they always check it off the list, just don't always check it. Buy a gauge and check em yourself, at least once a month.

Treebasher · 09-20-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanBlue

Treebasher,
I just mailordered rims and had installed at local shop. They showed and warned me of danger of breaking sensors, esp. since angle changed on new rims vs oem steel. That is first issue.
Second issue now: At our Charm City Titan meet last week, I was showing/discussing the solid brass body of my "8 Ball" valve caps vs myoldblue anodized caps that had traditional black nylon caps inserted in them. (One of them lost grip to the aluminum and I had to use pliers and pull it off the stem). Buddy related he had chrome metal caps like you had, and they corroded onto the stem. He now puts a little grease on the chrome ones.
So dealer "may" have broken it getting cap off, not tire from rim. $50 good price, as dealer is $115. $25 good compromise.
Yeah, they always check it off the list, just don't always check it. Buy a gauge and check em yourself, at least once a month.

I have no excuse for not checking the tire air pressure on my own. The more I look at the broken valve stem the more I think there was an interesting chemical reaction going on. I've learned my lesson.

baseballfanz · 09-20-2006, 10:21 PM

I have heard of others with problems by putting on different stem caps. They seize and was stuck on the stem valves.

TitanGixx · 09-20-2006, 11:00 PM

enjoy those Nitto's! mine are AWESOME!

Treebasher · 09-21-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanGixx

enjoy those Nitto's! mine are AWESOME!

I can tell a big difference with the Nitto's. My stock rugged trails were done. The truck runs a lot smoother now. I'm headed to Canada in a couple of days for a week of hunting. That'll be a good test for them.