I know this sounds like a dumb question, but here goes... I've been told that if you use chrome valve stem caps they the wheel sensors will cause them to seize and you can't remove them. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Had a new set of ZR1 wheels installed and that is what the tire shop stated today.

 

Yes, you have dis-similar metals and you can get galvanic corrosion set up.
I would refrain from using the fancy caps and use the plastic or aluminum caps that come on a lot of other GM cars.
Our Impala came with lightweight aluminum caps and they look fine.

They look like A305 in this picture.
http://www.acmeautomotive.com/upload.../Page%2013.pdf

 

This is new to me ! ! Learn something every day I guess.

 

I've had them on my 05 for over 4 years without a problem. I check my air pressure at least monthly and they remove easily.

 

I was told the same thing by my mechanic.

 

However. . . you can use the chrome plated plastic caps with the C6 emblem on the heads. I've used these on my C5 and transferred them to my C6 with no problems, ever.
FWIW. . .

 

have had them on my 05 for four years, no problems at all

 

we seems to have a difference of opinion.....

 

The valve stems are the antenna for the LTPWS and changing the cap may have an affect on their ability to communicate wirelessly. I just read that in Vette magazine 10 minutes ago.

 

I'm keeping mine a die hard decesion

 

You need to concern yourself with two things when you swap your valve stem caps. You need to avoid material that could cause interference with the transmission of the signal from the TPMS. As was indicated above, the second thing that you need to concern yourself with is the possibility of corrosion (galvanic) that can be cause by two dissimilar metals in contact with each other. If you find caps that are nickel plated or plastic caps that are chrome covered you should be fine. However, the metal caps that are chrome plated can in fact cause trouble with the sensor readings.

There is a note in the service manual about this:

''the cap is aluminum and the valve is nickel plated to prevent corrosion and are not to be substituted with a cap or valve made of any other material". Page 3-93, 4th paragraph.

 

xTooltipElement
Service Information 2005 Chevrolet Corvette | Corvette (VIN Y) Service Manual | Document ID: 2260127
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#08-03-10-005A: Use of Chrome or Chrome Plated Steel Valve Caps on Aluminum Valve Stems - (Mar 31, 2009)


Subject: Use of Chrome or Chrome Plated Steel Valve Caps on Aluminum Valve Stems


Models: 2010 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks (including Saturn)

2010 and Prior HUMMER H2, H3

2009 and Prior Saab 9-7X




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This bulletin is being revised to include the 2010 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 08-03-10-005 (Section 03 -- Suspension).


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This bulletin is being issued to inform dealers about the use of chrome or chrome-plated steel valve caps on aluminum valve systems.

Dealers/customers cannot install a chrome or chrome-plated steel valve cap on an aluminum valve system. If this happens, the contact between the different metals results in galvanic corrosion, which will seize the cap to the stem and may fracture the stem when attempting to remove the cap.

Inform customers of corrosion issues when chrome or chrome-plated steel valve caps are used on aluminum valve stems.

Use only plastic or aluminum caps with aluminum valve systems.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© 2009 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Any thoughts on using chrome plated brass caps? Any materials engineers out there??
Enjoy,
akriggm

 

I'm not a materials engineer, however I thought this might be an option. Made of the same material as the OEMs, but with a different face on the top. I think they are a stylist mod to the wheels and no interference with the TPMS.

 

The greatest galvanic problem is between aluminum and brass. Chrome plated brass could be an issue if the chrome on the threads wears through, or the threads were not fully plated to begin with.

 

I use chrome caps with the C6 logo on them without any problems.

 

Thanks for all the information... I knew this was the right place for the correct info!