Metal Valve Stems for TPMS

[dont45]

I just purchased TST pressure monitor as recommended by factory, from Colonial. When received, the box says ‘for use on metal valve stems’. I asked Colonial about this and they said yes, I need to replace them. My stems are metal, but mounted through a rubber washer. Are these what they call metal or do they need to be replaced? If so, with what? This is a 2017 International 28’.

[Hans627]

Those on your picture are considered rubber because they can flex.

Which type of TST tire pressure monitor did you purchase? There are two types. One which is usable with metal valve stems and one with those shown in your picture. If you don't want to replace the stems perhaps you could exchange them.

I use the rubber stems with TST "cap sensors" and they work great!

[MikeandCarol]

When I got my TST TPMS I had the rubber stems replaced with metal stems then had the tires balanced with the sensors mounted. Probably overkill, but good peace of mind. Mike

[dont45]

Hans627, thanks, I thought these were not what’s called metal. Disappointed that both the factory and Clonial recommended the TST-507-FT for my specific model, neither mentioned anything about needing to replace the valve stems. I only questioned it based on warning in the box. I have four upcoming trips close together and no time to get this done. Bummer, but thanks for the info. I will order the stems and have them installed as soon as I can.

[Mollysdad]

Metal valve stems are all metal.
For your aluminum rims I recommend the Dill 902-W.
They have a "shoulder nut" that allows the socket to engage the nut above the rim cutout.
I tried the easily available 416's and the washer didn't even fit down in the hole.

Now, I did my own, it was not very difficult until I tried to pop the bead back on, my Viair didn't pump enough air to seal the bead.
Take them to a tire store you trust.

[delrossa]

The valve stems that you have are fine. They are high pressure valve stems. I have the same sensors and they work great. I have put thousands of miles since installing the TST 507 with flow through on these valve stems.

[Peterf]

If metal stems are specified for 80 psi and above, shouldn’t they already be included with the new GY tires?

[pcskier]

It's not a pressure issue it's a *possible* flexing of the rubber base from centrifugal force due to the weight of the sensors on the tip of the stem.
While the rubber-based ones might work fine and have created no problems for others, I chose to go the route of full-metal valve stems. I got a TPMS for piece of mind, why not go all the way and not have to wonder if any of the rubber bases are getting ready to crack.
YMMV.

[KK4YZ]

This is interesting. I just traded in a 2017 23D at Colonial for a 2020 28 FC. I had metal valve stems on the old trailer because of my TST sensors and wanted them switched to the new trailer. The Service Mgr was willing to do it for a price, but recommend against it. The reason he gave me was galvanic corrosion between the metal stems and the aluminum wheel. He said they sell the TST sensors and have not heard of a problem with the standard stems with the TST sensors.

The dissimilar metal argument made sense to me so now I have the standard stems with TST sensors.

Has anyone here had a problem with the standard stems with TST sensors?

[azflycaster]

I do not agree with the dissimilar metal argument since the metal valve stem has rubber seals that are touching the wheel, not the metal.

I would not trust the cheap rubber stems to hold the sensor as the wheel rotates at around 700 RPM.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by KK4YZ

Has anyone here had a problem with the standard stems with TST sensors?

No. because I changed out the stems first. Belt and suspenders.
BTW, Discount Tire sells the Dill 902-W stems.

[lsbrodsky]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

I do not agree with the dissimilar metal argument since the metal valve stem has rubber seals that are touching the wheel, not the metal.

I would not trust the cheap rubber stems to hold the sensor as the wheel rotates at around 700 RPM.

I agree. My tire installer told me I had to bring him the metal stems, so I ordered them and only rubber comes in contact with the wheels.

Larry

[chickenrx]

Like Hans627 we use the TST 507 cap sensors on our Classic that have the same composite stem shown in dont45's picture. We removed the "anti theft" covers from the caps to further reduce any weight on the stems and have put over 5,000 miles on them with no evidence of wheel marking from centrifugal force. TST does show this model to be applicable for both metal or rubber stems.

[kpm]

All four of my wheels show scoring from my TST 507 cap sensors at 10,000 miles service. I just had Jackson Center replace the rubber valve stems with metal ones. Here are photos of two of the wheels (without the TST 507 cap sensors installed) before the replacement.

[Peterf]

So, the advice and metal valve stems that Colonial would have used during our last visit suggested instead using the rubber/metal stems provided with the original endurance tires and wheels. They haven’t seen any serious negative issues. The recess in the aluminum wheels was too deep to accommodate the metal stems and TPMS sensors. See photo attached. During the past 4K mile trip I do notice the rub marks, not scoring, from the stems bending a short amount from what I guess is centrifugal force. I am not too concerned yet and watch ongoing. The correct fix would be to use the sensors installed inside the tire not the through valve cap sensors. https://www.airforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1583000886

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Peterf

The recess in the aluminum wheels was too deep to accommodate the metal stems and TPMS sensors. See photo attached.

I did it and I have the same wheels as you, Sendel T-2. Yes, the machined area won't accommodate a standard valve stem like the 416, but will take the Dill 902-W that uses a 'shoulder nut'. (I believe them to be 1 1/4" which cleared the rim but don't stick out any more than necessary). Then I installed my TST cap sensors directly on those.
Discount Tire carries the Dill stems.

The correct fix would be to use the sensors installed inside the tire not the through valve cap sensors.

Yeah, but that has plusses and minuses too. First, getting them. I'm not aware that TST still offers the 507 inside sensors. Some strap on the rim center. All require the tire to be removed to service the battery, etc.

So far I'm totally pleased with the cap sensors from TST.
My one regret is when I had the spare changed to a Endurance, I didn't have them install a metal stem while they had the tire off.
I guess if I use the spare (on a stamped steel rim), I'll just hope the rubber stem survives long enough to get the original tire back on.

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

Didn’t even think about the flex of the rubber stems. My rims have some rubbing from the sensors after about 20k miles doesn’t look too bad or noticeable for that matter.

I think I would rather have the sensors and imperfect rims than no sensor and perfect rims.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by BigSxyWhtGuy

I think I would rather have the sensors and imperfect rims than no sensor and perfect rims.

It's not that I worry about the cosmetic aspect of the black marks, but rather that the rubber stem will fail and fly off at the worst possible time.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

It's not that I worry about the cosmetic aspect of the black marks, but rather that the rubber stem will fail and fly off at the worst possible time.

After Colonial recommended sticking with the original metal/rubber valve stems, I checked the TST website. TST says the sensors I have (507 I think) are fine to be used with rubber stems. I believe it’s the flow through caps that require the all metal stems.

I have about 5K miles on my trailer and so far, so good.

[dznf0g]

I am not sure I have ever seen a commercial tool like I will describe. When one of my stems failed, i rolled into a very small Oklahoma town, right at closing time. The little old dirty ship right at the exit had fabricated a 4 foot.long pry bar, with a lip that slid between the wheel and tire bead. The tool had another leg with a tee bar. When they pried the bead off, the second guy did his stem replacement. When released, and shop air was administered, the bead popped back on and I was on my way. No tire removal necessary. These two guys stayed till about 5:45 to help me. They got a case of beer for that effort.