Tire pressure sensor nut torque
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Tire pressure sensor nut torque
Does anyone know the torque setting for the pressure sensor nuts on the C6 wheels. Is it 106 in-lbs or 62 in-lbs?
Also does the dealer sell chrome pressure sensor nuts instead of the aluminum ones?
I'm chenging my polished wheels for chrome wheels.
Thanks....................Oakley
Also does the dealer sell chrome pressure sensor nuts instead of the aluminum ones?
I'm chenging my polished wheels for chrome wheels.
Thanks....................Oakley
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Acworth GA
This is from a TSB for TPM sensor replacement:
"When the TPM sensors are transferred to new wheels you should replace the component used to seal the TPM sensor stem to the wheel. On sensors with an aluminum stem and visible nut on the outside of the wheel a replacement grommet (0-ring) should be used to assure a proper seal. The sensor retaining nut (except Aveo) should be tightened to 7 N.m (62 lb in) for all vehicles except Pontiac Vibe (4.0 N.m (35.4 lb in)). Important: DO NOT overtorque the retaining nut."
While not a specific answer to you chrome nut question, GM does not recommend chrome plated steel caps:
"Notice: Factory installed TPM Sensors come with plastic aluminum or nickel-plated brass stem caps. These caps should not be changed. Chrome plated steel caps may cause corrosion of aluminum valve stems due to incompatibility of the metals."
You could always polish up the aluminum nuts to get a close to chrome look.
"When the TPM sensors are transferred to new wheels you should replace the component used to seal the TPM sensor stem to the wheel. On sensors with an aluminum stem and visible nut on the outside of the wheel a replacement grommet (0-ring) should be used to assure a proper seal. The sensor retaining nut (except Aveo) should be tightened to 7 N.m (62 lb in) for all vehicles except Pontiac Vibe (4.0 N.m (35.4 lb in)). Important: DO NOT overtorque the retaining nut."
While not a specific answer to you chrome nut question, GM does not recommend chrome plated steel caps:
"Notice: Factory installed TPM Sensors come with plastic aluminum or nickel-plated brass stem caps. These caps should not be changed. Chrome plated steel caps may cause corrosion of aluminum valve stems due to incompatibility of the metals."
You could always polish up the aluminum nuts to get a close to chrome look.
Last edited by bwurster; Nov 13, 2008 at 07:42 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 854
From: Daytona Beach FL
with bwurster.62 lb-in torque, which is only about 5 lb-ft (i.e., very little torque!! )
The sensor and car manufacturers tell you not to put chrome valve stem caps on due to dissimilar metal corrosion issues, and also because the valve stem is part of the antenna system of the sensor and the chrome may attenuate the signal transmission to the TPMS computer receiver in the car. Butt....I've been running chrome caps on my '05 coupe for almost 4 years now, and my Z06 for a year, with no problems.
Until recently I had never heard of any chrome nuts for the sensors, however I just recently saw these on the Schrader site (Schrader makes the sensors for all GM vehicles):
I have no idea where to get these dress-up kits, but they're apparently available out there somewhere and meet Schrader standards for use with their sensors.
Bob
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
A few months ago, I had a leaking 'o' ring on my TPS and in an attempt to stop it, it broke and fell into the wheel. Crap.
I ordered a new one from a forum vendor, and it cost a lot more than the identical ones sold at Discount Tire. And it took a week to arrive, too.
Discount Tire dismount the tire from my aftermarket HRE rims. The hole in the rim was a little mess up, but they got the new TPS to seal. Lucky for me.
If you have a leaking TPS seal, spray a little soapy water on it and watch for bubbles. If its coming from the intersection of the stem and rim, the O ring is leaking. After removing the tire and TPS, check the hole in the rim. The metal is soft and can get messed up. Make sure the hole is clean and straight. Look for burrs if you suspect the TPS was over tightened (like mine). If there is a defect, I recommend cleaning up the hole in the rim so the rubber 'O' ring has a clean & flat surface to seal.
I ordered a new one from a forum vendor, and it cost a lot more than the identical ones sold at Discount Tire. And it took a week to arrive, too.
Discount Tire dismount the tire from my aftermarket HRE rims. The hole in the rim was a little mess up, but they got the new TPS to seal. Lucky for me.
If you have a leaking TPS seal, spray a little soapy water on it and watch for bubbles. If its coming from the intersection of the stem and rim, the O ring is leaking. After removing the tire and TPS, check the hole in the rim. The metal is soft and can get messed up. Make sure the hole is clean and straight. Look for burrs if you suspect the TPS was over tightened (like mine). If there is a defect, I recommend cleaning up the hole in the rim so the rubber 'O' ring has a clean & flat surface to seal.
Last edited by Mez; Nov 13, 2008 at 09:00 PM. Reason: fixing bad grammar. again.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I just had Discount Tire mount some new track tires and they broke one of my sensors (which has never happened before). I can't bitch because they generally never even charge me to mount new tires. DT was great as usual...they got a new sensor installed, finished the job and no charge once again. 
IMO plastic lined metallic caps are best but I've used chrome valve stem caps without issue for years. IMO plastic valve caps are used mostly because they're cheap. Most don’t have a proper pressure seal and just rely on the deformation of the threads (and they're easy to cross thread).
IMO plastic lined metallic caps are best but I've used chrome valve stem caps without issue for years. IMO plastic valve caps are used mostly because they're cheap. Most don’t have a proper pressure seal and just rely on the deformation of the threads (and they're easy to cross thread).
Last edited by Wayne O; Nov 14, 2008 at 11:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 1
From: Clarksburg Maryland
with bwurster.62 lb-in torque, which is only about 5 lb-ft (i.e., very little torque!! )
The sensor and car manufacturers tell you not to put chrome valve stem caps on due to dissimilar metal corrosion issues, and also because the valve stem is part of the antenna system of the sensor and the chrome may attenuate the signal transmission to the TPMS computer receiver in the car. Butt....I've been running chrome caps on my '05 coupe for almost 4 years now, and my Z06 for a year, with no problems.
Until recently I had never heard of any chrome nuts for the sensors, however I just recently saw these on the Schrader site (Schrader makes the sensors for all GM vehicles):
I have no idea where to get these dress-up kits, but they're apparently available out there somewhere and meet Schrader standards for use with their sensors.
Bob
Anyone find this kit yet?
