TPMS Rebuild Kit

I have 40K+ miles and will be switching out the tires soon.

Should I have them rebuild the valve stems / tpms sensors with the kit?

I'm guessing that is always a good idea and most tire shops know how to deal with today's tpms sensors.

 

I say yes, you should install new kits on the sensors as long as the tires are going to be dismounted. If your shop knows you want kits installed, it makes it easy for them to drop the sensors into the tire before dismounting, and thereby limits the chance that they accidentally break a sensor. Some shops always install kits when dismounting/mounting. Seems like a good practice.

 

Where can you get these kits??? What do they consist of?

 

The kits are around $6.00 each (per wheel) from Toyota but you can pick up a set of four kits for $10-12 off eBay.

Some people install new kits every time a tire is dismounted; others reuse the old kit as long as the grommet looks good. They torque to 35 in. lbs.

 

I actually installs tires @ Costco. The whole idea behind replacing the sensor parts is the rubber grommet can deteriorate and dry rot just as easy as the rubber on your tires. Also new parts ensure a clean barrier where your sensor is attached to your rim through the opening to the environment. We recommend it not because we really make money off them, most replacement packs are usually about 2 bucks a tire depending on the vehicle (<$8 most expensive), but to ensure that you get a leak free, "fresh start" to your new tires. I would say on an '08 there's about a 30% chance you will have a "slow leak" due to not replacing the parts.

Just my .02 cents, hope it helps

 

One other thing I wouldn't pay for labor on top if they try you opt for replacement at install, afterthought yes reasonable but not if your spending money on tires too.

 

I hate TPMS just becuase I work at a garage and have to change tires with TPMS all the time. There a bitch to work with, and when you break one, your really fucked

 

I'm thinking about getting some new wheels from Discount Tire and they recomend a TPMS rebuild kit but my truck in a 2011 and only has 9k on it. Is this something I should purchase with the wheels or not?

 

In theory, and to be 100% safe, every time you break the nut loose on the TPMS sensor you should reinstall using a new service pack.

If you have a 2011 (and we're now in 2012 now) and you are installing tires onto your existing wheels, and the old tires were dismounted without the TPMS sensors being broken loose, I would say it would perfectly fine to not service the TPMS sensors.

Since you're going to be installing new wheels, the sensors will need to be removed from your old wheels and installed into your new wheels. The probability of anything being wrong with the old parts is very slim, but the tire shop needs to cover their bases and recommend you the service pack.

If they don't recommend it to you and you have a leak from your valve stem, they'll be obligated to fix it (which takes more time after the fact, since they'll have to remove your wheel from the vehicle, let the air out, break the top bead of the tire, service the sensors, set the top bead, re-inflate the tire and install back onto your vehicle). Not to mention that they'd also be liable for any potential damage or injury caused to you as a result of their negligence.

With that said, if you opt out and sign off on it, and something happens, you'd be responsible for the costs if your TPMS sensor required service due to a leak.

Odds are you won't have any issues if you don't replace the TPMS parts on your 2011 w/ 9k miles, even if you do remove TPMS sensors from one set of wheels and transfer to another (so long as everything is torqued to specs and not left too loose or over-tightened to the point that the grommet is damaged), but it's a good thing to think about. Especially since the cost is minimal.

Also, it was mentioned that you can order sensor parts cheaply on EBAY. Be careful of the cheap parts kits. They're made in China, and the parts often don't fit right and/or the parts wear out quickly. Stick to name-brand sensor parts from Schraeder (or buy directly from Toyota, which are re-packaged Schraeder parts).

 

Wow. Thanks for quick and detailed response. I'm going to try and get away with not buying the kit. Can't wait to get my wheels!