TPMS Woes

[MunkeyTX]

Here's my original posts from another forum, but I found an interesing nugget of information after the fact:

Wifeys Explorer was getting new shoes today, but only got three since 'techs' couldn't figure out how to remove the valve core from one of the tires, they said they could just break it off, but then it would be coin to replace the sensor (Sam's Club...maybe that's the reason??). Brought it home, tried to remove it with a cheapo valve core remover from a bottle of Tire Slime, and it just spun and spun (as it had with the tire techs). I figured the core was just jammed in there a little, so I got frisky and took out the needle nose pliers and gave it a yank; I think I broke the damn core, I've got the square 'ears' and the 'outer needle' out of the stem.

I put 'outer needle' in quotations because I am unsure if the TPMS system uses a funky kind of schrader valve that has two needles, or if it is the simple one needle type (of which I possibly made into two needles by breaking it). There is still an 'inner needle' which when depressed, still lets air out, and as far as I can tell is not leaking one bit. I let the rest of the air out of the tire and the TPMS is loose from the rim, and I plan on breaking the bead and fishing the TPMS out.

Is there any way to get the rest of the core out of the stem? Will one of those 4-way core remover tools help me in this situation? I don't wanna have to pony up $$$ for a new TPMS sensor for a piddly five cent core being stuck inside of it.

I'm sure my neighbors love me so much now; made a ****ton of noise driving 4Runner ontop of tire to break bead, that didn't work, so I Hi-Lift'ed the bead loose...damn a Hi-Lift is noisy at 11:50 PM. *clank* *CLUNK* *clank* *CLUNK*

Anyways, here's what I've got gents:

Looking at pics of valve cores, it looks like only the 'ears' are the only threaded portion, I'm going to try and pull the broken half of the core out before I give up and buy a new TPMS.

The spare is on now, which surprisingly is larger than the stock tire size (255 spare vs 245 tires)...yeah I know I can just replace the TPMS with a regular valve stem; and although I do check the tires regularly, it's my wife who drives the Explorer 99% of the time...she's the type who won't notice anything wrong with the car unless it starts beeping or flashing at her, hence my wanting the TPMS to function.

Pic says it all..

Took me a long ass time, but I finally got it. I used a curved pick to hook onto the top wrap of the spring and 'rode' the pick up through the internal threads, streching the spring out enough to where I could yank it out with needle nose.

Searched and searched for something the right diameter to screw/jam into the hollow core body (metal w/orange band). Finally found that a Craftsman 3/32 x 1-1/2 slotted screwdriver fit with just enough bite (PN 9-41541). Screwed it right out with no problem. Tipped TPMS over and the rest of the needle slid out.

Damn it feels good to be a gangster.

I already bought the valve core service kit from the Ford dealership right after I left Sam's Club, so I'm back in business and the tire and ####ing TPMS will be on tomorrow morning.

And after all that, I find this:

Do you think since the tire techs are removing the valve cores from the valve stems, they are damaging the TPMS cores causing a situation like mine?

 

[jp450]

Maybe. Thanks for posting the above! About a year ago I had new tires put on my 05 and they kept slow leaking. Low and behold the cores kept loosening up and letting air out. Now I know why.

 

[muzzymaniac]

I'm bumping this because I have the same problem with 3 of my tires. Great info here!