What type of tire valve stems should you use with external TPMS sensors?

I received this comment recently about tire valve stems and TPMS:

I pull a 27-foot travel trailer with dual axles and carry two spare tires; I needed both of them. One is on the bumper and the other is on an under-mount. I do not use a TPMS because we had one and had issues with valve stem leakage.

I have responded to similar questions and provided links to a few of the replies in the RVtravel.com Maintenance tab and my posts on RVtravel.com. I’ve also provided links to one or more of the dozen posts I have made in my blog RVTireSafety.net on the topic of “tire valves”.

Tire valve failure with TPMS sensors

Since apparently some folks did not check these resources, here is what I hope is a comprehensive reply to the issue of tire valve failure when TPMS sensors are attached to standard rubber stems.

If you had problems with valve stem leaking, then it is most likely that you were using the “low-cost” rubber stems intended for passenger car tires, like a TR413 as seen here:

TPMS external sensors screw on the end of the stems. While they are not very heavy, that extra bit of weight does result in vibration, which can result in the fatigue failure of the rubber stem as seen here:

Here is an example of the movement of a rubber stem with an external “flow-thru” TPMS.

There are some rubber valves called “Hi-Press” as they are “rated” for 80 psi. Here is a short video showing a FAILED TR800HP valve stem.

Here is a comparison of a few different stems.

From the left, we see a TR800HP that some call “Hi-Press”, next a TR413, then TR416 and TR435, which are both “bolt-in” stems and will not vibrate and fail due to flexing. Note: I placed pennies under 3 of the stems to raise the shoulders for them all to the same level for the picture. I wanted the comparison to be as if the valves were at the same level in the wheel.

Auto Zone has TR416 bolt-in stem Part # 20128, SKU #582043, at $6.99 for 2.

O’Reilly stores carry Part # 15-4559-2, 1″ chrome tire valves – fit rim hole diameters of 0.438″ and 0.625″. The list price is $7.49 for 2.

Many other auto parts stores carry similar “bolt-in” stems.

Some aluminum wheels have a deep recess for the valve, as seen in this picture.

I understand that some Airstream RVs and some Ford vehicles have this type of bolt-in valve. It is a “Dill-VS-902-W” and can be found with a quick internet search. They are $2.50 to $6.50. I have read reports that some “Discount Tire” stores have or can get these Dill stems.

NOTE: There are 2 different hole diameters in the wheels. Most ST tires and LT tires will come on wheels with the smaller 0.375″ diameter hole. The larger 0.625 gasket will not fit in the smaller hole. Both parts listed above show both sizes of rubber grommets. Select the appropriate size for your wheels.

This shows the two different grommets, so its pretty hard to get the wrong one. It is a light press fit or even “slide-in” fit into the hole in the wheel.

Special Caution: All of these “bolt-in” valve stems need to be tightened to 25 – 45 INCH- POUNDS, so don’t overdo it.

I believe that if you switch to “bolt-in” stems, you will avoid the vibration failure of the stems. I always use “bolt-in stems” in my race cars and on my RVs and trailers and have never had a stem failure.

Roger Marble

RELATED

• Valve stems, cores and caps, ‘Oh my!’ And how tight is ‘tight enough’?
• Why tire valves are more than just those ‘little black things’ in your wheels
• Why and how to take care of your tire valve cores

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If you have tire questions, check out Roger’s Blog as well as his posts on RVtravel.com. There are hundreds of posts covering everything to do with tires.

If you still have a question for Roger after searching the above posts, send your inquiries to him using the form below.

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