Many TPMS sensors mount at the valve stem and whether they are a rigid mount in the hole or a rubber stem with the sensor mounted to the end, just like traditional rubber, they have to seal properly or a comeback is on its way. Always be sure to visually inspect both sides of the wheel at the valve stem hole and thoroughly clean any corrosion from the surface before installing the new sensor.
Built up corrosion can look deceptively like part of the wheel, so be sure to look closely and remove any major build-up before your final cleaning with a wire brush or emery cloth.
If the sensor is held in place by a nut, be sure to torque it to the correct manufacturer specification. Even though it seems easy to meet such a light torque by “feel,” the threads, stems and seals are designed to work at a predetermined clamping load and anything more or less will affect the integrity of both the sensor and seal.
A quality 1/4-in. torque wrench can be used or you can also get a TPMS torque screwdriver with preset TPMS settings specifically for this job. This is the only way to guarantee the quality of your work.
Documenting the torque spec on the repair order is also a nice touch, improving your communication and the customer experience as well.
Grab your TPMS scan tool to finalize the job and you’ll have a long-lasting repair and a satisfied customer.
