Hi I am curious if anyone else has ever had any Isses with their TPMS Transmitters comming loose in their wheels before? A few minutes ago my G-friend drove up all concerned because the TPMS inducator was lit and when I went to check the pressures as soon as I pressed my Dial Guage onto the stem it slid back into rim and began to release the air.
I then checked an found all of the Units were extremely loose. I had just purchased this Vehicle approx 6 days ago so never thought about them being loose, As a matter of fact I had no Idea what the components were exactly until a few min ago.
Is this something that I should keep an eye on or could it be something that perhaps was not fully torqued when either new tires were installed or posssibly someone may have tampered with?
I read on a site that sells replacements that torque specs is 35-In/lbs does that sound correct? Unfortunately I do not have a in/lbs torque wrench so I basically just snugged them up using my 3/8" ratchet using 2 fingers, to guarantee not to overtighten.
I plan on taking them to Les Schwab where the tires are from to have them properly torque them

 

Close enough.....That is exactly what I was going to tell you...

2 things...either the "Tire Guy " forgot to tighten them, or the nuts are worn out. there is a small rubber ring on the bottom of the nut that can degrade, and the result is exactly what you describe. If the tires are relatively new, I would expect that they just simply werent tightened.

 

Thanks, I will be sure to ask Les Schwabs about there policy if they always replace the rubber seal I have read about or if it is a optional item per owner so I have an Idea. It was leading me towards somone forgot to tighten them or possibly did not even know these had TPMS units (as all 4 were almost indentical in tightness or lack there of) in the wheels as I have seen different employees take over during tire work before.
Thanks again for the reply as it makes me feel a little bit better plus I know i was correct in the way I snugged them up.

 

Actually....If they are TIGHT when you mount /dismount a tire, you run the risk of snapping the sensor off of the stem. If it is loose, it will wiggle out of the way.

Personally, I remove the nut and push the sensor into the wheel to let the air out before dismount....Two reasons...1) the stems are EXTREMELY fragile and can be damaged by removing the core on an Oxidized stem, and 2) If its laying in the bottom of the tire, I cant possibly crush it when dismounting.
Then MOUNT the tire, push down and "FISH" the sensor into place and Put the nut on. Then with thumb and middle finger, Hold the sensor base, and tighten the nut. Then AIr it up.

Leaving it loose....happens to the best of us....but it still is no excuse..

NOW....just for giggles.....USE ONLY PLASTIC STEM CAPS ON TPMS SENSORS. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chrome or metal caps will adversely react with the aluminum Stem, and you WILL BREAK the stem removing the cap.....I know the chrome ones look cool, or the little dice, or the LED "SKULL", but if you break the stem, Not only are your 25 dollar caps useless, but your tire wont hold air for more than 30 seconds...