Stuck valve cap, and broke TPMS
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Stuck valve cap, and broke TPMS
Changing to summer tires and then checking air pressure when I encounter a stuck valve cap. Get my trusty xx mm wrench out of the toolkit and proceed to snap the TPMS top off.
Don't imagine it's covered on my extended warranty?
Anyway changed to my pristine spare and brought the other in for repair...
Don't imagine it's covered on my extended warranty?
Anyway changed to my pristine spare and brought the other in for repair...
#2
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (9)
I bet you had Chrome steel valve caps. There is an issue with dissimilar metals with the TPMS valve stems. The stems are aluminum and if you use chrome steel caps there can be an issue with dissimilar metals that causes the valve cap to attach itself to the aluminum TPMS stem. Polished aluminum caps are OK, as are plastic. The dissimilar metals issue apparently happened to you.
See these threads:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...alve-caps.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-stem-cap.html
Lou
See these threads:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...alve-caps.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...-stem-cap.html
Lou
Last edited by flowrider; 03-24-12 at 07:35 PM.
#3
Intermediate
I was warned about such an issue by my tire place when you have metal valve stem caps.
A pretty easy solution actually....
Every couple of months, I apply some "anti seize grease" onto the valve stem thread. Granted, the temps won't reach what they would in an engine application...but it is a durable lubricant.
Screwing on the caps spreads it out into the threads...then just wipe off the excess.
If you do this on a regular basis, you should be in the clear from now on. They will not rust on.
A pretty easy solution actually....
Every couple of months, I apply some "anti seize grease" onto the valve stem thread. Granted, the temps won't reach what they would in an engine application...but it is a durable lubricant.
Screwing on the caps spreads it out into the threads...then just wipe off the excess.
If you do this on a regular basis, you should be in the clear from now on. They will not rust on.
Last edited by NJLEXES; 03-27-12 at 08:54 AM.
#4
The OEM caps are Al alloy, and I haven't had any tire shop use/replace any stem caps on any car with anything but plastic ones, and I haven't seen steel (plated or otherwise) ones used in years. Ask the tire shop to keep track of the Lexus ones and reuse them if they are undamaged. Wheels live in a wet/corrosive environment particularly in areas of the US/Canada where winter road chemicals are used and it is probably a good idea to use a small amount of silcone grease on the threads. "One shot" should do it for years. Also, don't overtighten them.......just enough to feel the gasket compress.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post