TPMS Valve Change for a Ford Ranger

We recently had a customer call in to enquire about his tyre going down frequently. He had jacked up the car and inspected the tyre all the way round but could not find any issues. He called us out to take a look to see if were we able to spot the problem. Normally, it's down to a thorn or nail in the tyre but we removed the wheel from the vehicle and pressure checked the tyre and rim and removed the tyre to double check. Upon inspecting the tyre, I couldn't see any visual signs of entry in the tyre on either side. The tyre was re-installed and pressure tested to see if it was something wrong with the alloy itself. This is when I noticed a hissing sound coming out of the valve stem base. I sprayed on a solution of water and dish soap and there right in front of me was the problem. The stem had become worn and was starting to leak air.

Anything made from rubber can deteriorate over time, that's why we say that you need to change your tyres every five to six years. However, one part of tyre eco system (if you will) that people forget about is the valve stem. On an ordinary car with indirect sensors (in the brake hub itself), we can change the valves in the rims without an issue. This part of the routine of swapping the tyres over. However, when the TPMS sensors are mounted directly on the rim(direct TPMS), things can become a bit tricky as there are many variations out there.

But, as our vans are fully equipped to perform a full TPMS change over, we can change most valves without an issue. Although, when you start enquiring for a Bugatti Veyron/Chiron or a Pagani Huayra, things might start to become a bit more complex.

The bead was broken again and the tyre removed.The TPMS unit was then taken off, taken apart and the stem changed over to a brand new unit. It's not too difficult as it's just plug and play. However, it takes time and a patience.

With the tyre back on the alloy, inflated and balanced, we installed the wheel back onto the Ranger and torqued the nuts to the specification. We hopped into the car and reset the system as the tyres all had new pressures.

If your vehicle needs new TPMS sensors, a reset or a puncture repair, give us a call on 0131 341 3424 or send an email to info@hometyre.co.uk