Tire Monitor System - Valve Stem/Sensor Replacement
Damaged Valve Stem in a TPMS Wheel? Replace the Entire Valve Stem AssemblyNOTE:
This article applies to '04-06 MDXs and '05-06 RLs.
Need to fix a TPMS-equipped wheel for a damaged valve stem? Here's how you go about doing it:
Removing the Original Valve Stem Assembly
1. Raise the vehicle on a lift.
2. Remove the wheel that's got the damaged valve stem.
3. Carefully remove the valve stem cap and the valve core, then let the tire deflate.
4. Remove any balance weights. Use a commercially available tire changer to break loose the bead from the wheel. Keep these these things in mind as you do this:
^ Start with the outside of the wheel.
^ Set the wheel so the valve stem is 90 degrees from the bead breaker.
^ Don't position the bead breaker too close to the wheel rim.
5. Position the wheel so the tire machine and the tire iron are next to the valve stem and will move away from it when the machine starts. Then remove the tire from the wheel.
6. Remove and discard the valve stem nut, then remove the tire pressure sensor and the valve stem from the wheel. Never reuse the valve stem nut; it's a one-shot item that must be replaced. If the valve stem nut is seized on the valve stem and won't budge, go to step 7. Otherwise, go to step 9.
7. Slowly turn the valve stem counterclockwise until the tire pressure sensor drops off the end of the valve stem. Discard the screw, but keep the sensor. Also, make sure the valve stem grommet is removed; sometimes it gets stuck in the wheel.
8. Use a power drill with an 11 mm drill bit to drill out the hole in the valve stem ball just enough so you can remove the valve stem from the wheel. Be careful not to damage the wheel as you're doing this step. When you're done, go to Installing the Replacement Valve Stem Assembly.
9. Remove the valve stem and the screw from the tire pressure sensor. Discard the valve stem and the screw, but keep the sensor. Also, make sure the valve stem grommet is removed; sometimes it gets stuck in the wheel.
Installing the Replacement Valve Stem Assembly
1. Insert the new screw into the tire pressure sensor, then screw on the new valve stem, finger-tight.
2. Clean the mating surfaces on the tire pressure sensor and the wheel.
3. Install the tire pressure sensor in the wheel, and secure it with the new valve stem nut, finger-tight. Make sure the sensor is resting on the wheel.
4. While holding the tire pressure sensor toward the wheel, torque the valve stem nut to 4.0 Nm (36 lb-in). You might hear a snap or pop as you torque the nut; don't worry, it's normal. When doing this step, keep these things in mind:
^ Never reuse a valve stem nut that's been torqued even once to spec; it's deformed inside.
^ Never use air or electric impact tools to torque a valve stem nut. Torquing the nut past the spec can damage its threads. Use only a precision torque screwdriver that can read 36 lb-in. If your shop doesn't have one, call the Acura Tool and Equipment Program and ask for the Torque Screwdriver (Model No. CD1401SM) made by CDI Torque Products.
^ Make sure there's no gap between the tire pressure sensor and the wheel.
5. Lubricate the tire bead, and position the wheel so the tire machine and the tire iron are next to the valve stem and will move away from it when the machine starts. Then mount the tire onto the wheel.
6. Inflate the tire to 44 psi to seat the tire bead to the wheel rim. Then adjust the tire pressure to the value on the driver's door jamb sticker, and screw on the valve stem cap. Make sure the tire bead is uniformly seated on both sides of the wheel rim.
7. Check and adjust the wheel balance. Then mount the wheel on the vehicle, and torque the wheel nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft).
8. Lower the vehicle.