Installing TPMS

[Dalwyn]

I have searched but could not find the thread.

Somewhere I read that before I install the TPMS I should apply some type of grease to the tire stem. Does anyone know what type of grease I should use?

Thanks

[Boxster1971]

I've never heard about applying grease to valve stems. But make sure you upgrade the inner dual tires to metal cable stems. Those stock rubber valve stems will fail if you attach a TPMS sensor on them. I have the TST system for last three years with good performance.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[ctdair]

I use anti-seize compound. The reason for the use of it is I have steel valve stems and the insert on the tire monitor is brass. The dissimimular metals could possibly
react and cause the 2 parts to seize together. Even if You have brass valve stems anti-seize would not hurt any thing.

[markdoane]

I don't know what the inner workings of the TPMS sensor look like. I don't use anti seize (my stems are brass) and I wouldn't use grease in case any got into the diaphragm of the sensor and fouled it. Low risk of failure, but I've never had a sensor get stuck on the stem either.

[Boxster1971]

Those valve stems you think are steel are probably plated brass.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[ctdair]

I don't know if plated or not but the plated metal would still react with the brass.
Please see pressure pro installation tips.

http://www.advantagepressurepro.com/...ad/Regular.pdf


NOTE - When installing Sensors on vehicles with aluminum valve stems: New autos may include factory installed TPMS Systems. New vehicles with TPMS utilize aluminum valve stems while PressurePro Sensors are made with brass threads. Brass will bond to aluminum due to the Galvanic action between the different metals. When installing PressurePro Sensors to aluminum stems, carefully apply dielectric grease, an anti-seize compound, to the aluminum stem being careful to apply only to the threaded area of the valve stem. IMPORTANT: Remove Sensors every 4 weeks to ensure that the aluminum stem and brass threads don’t bond. If storing the vehicle for extended periods, remove the Sensors from the aluminum stems.

[markdoane]

OK, I'll agree with using antiseize if installed on aluminum stems. That makes sense.

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Dalwyn

I have searched but could not find the thread.

Somewhere I read that before I install the TPMS I should apply some type of grease to the tire stem. Does anyone know what type of grease I should use?

Thanks

Here's a couple of threads re: TPMS

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...ms-140047.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...em-137672.html

[Dalwyn]

Originally Posted by 73shark

Here's a couple of threads re: TPMS
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...ms-140047.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...em-137672.html

Thanks. I had already searched these and did not find what I thought I had read somewhere about applying grease around the thread of the valve stem before attaching the TPMS valve.

Appreciate everyone's comments.

[Boxster1971]

Applying a dielectric grease won't hurt and is definitely required for aluminum against brass.


- - Mike
2013 Interstate Lounge EXT on 2012 Sprinter

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Dalwyn

Thanks. I had already searched these and did not find what I thought I had read somewhere about applying grease around the thread of the valve stem before attaching the TPMS valve.

If you look at the galvanic series, aluminum is an anode for every metal except zinc and magnesium. That includes brass— the reaction between aluminum and brass is even worse than between aluminum and steel. So if you have aluminum valve stems and want to keep them when you add brass-threaded TPMS, use dielectric grease on the threads to exclude water and ensure that galvanic corrosion of the stems does not occur when the stems get wet, as they inevitably will every time it rains.

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

If you look at the galvanic series, aluminum is an anode for every metal except zinc and magnesium. That includes brass— the reaction between aluminum and brass is even worse than between aluminum and steel. So if you have aluminum valve stems and want to keep them when you add brass-threaded TPMS, use dielectric grease on the threads to exclude water and ensure that galvanic corrosion of the stems does not occur when the stems get wet, as they inevitably will every time it rains.

Exactly my thinking. And why I will not put a brass valve in the Atwood water heater drain hole. But I understand a lot of other people do, and don't report galvanic corrosion. Go figure....

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Siegmann

Exactly my thinking. And why I will not put a brass valve in the Atwood water heater drain hole. But I understand a lot of other people do, and don't report galvanic corrosion. Go figure....

I did it. I used thread tape to minimize metal-to-metal contact. But it's a lot harder to put thread tape on valve stems than on drain plugs, so dielectric grease, replenished from time to time, has to do the job.

[Dalwyn]

Thanks everyone. I believe what I had read somewhere was about dielectric grease.