How to Remove a Tire From the Rim With a TPM Sensor

Unlike the valve stem pictured here, TPMS sensors are small pressure transducers that monitor the air pressure in each tire.

While Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors (also known as TPM sensors) have been around for quite a while on premium model vehicles, they were mandated on every passenger vehicle manufactured after 2007. Some of the older versions used an indirect sensor on the outside of the wheel that would detect if the wheel was spinning faster than the others while driving. This would be indicative of a tire with low pressure. Newer versions use a direct sensor with a pressure transducer mounted in place of the valve stem.

Things You'll Need

• TPMS application guide (online or hard copy)
• TPMS (torquing) valve stem remover
• Inch-pound torquing ratchet with flip-socket and 3-inch extension
• Tire machine
• Applicable TPMS replacement kits (grommet nut, rubber washer, squash washer, replacement valve stem cap and new valve core)

Instructions

1. Look up the year, make and model of the vehicle you're working on in the TPMS application guide (available online or from most auto parts retailers) to find out all there is to know about the vehicle's TPMS. The application guide will inform you which replacement kit to use and the inch-pounds for tightening the replacement grommet nut. It will also tell you how to reset the system if applicable.

2. Remove the valve stem cap on the top of the valve stem, then remove the valve core from the valve stem of the TPMS sensor using the valve core remover and turning the valve core counterclockwise. Allow all of the air to deflate from the tire.

3. Remove the grommet nut on the valve stem of the TPMS sensor using the ratchet, flip-socket and extension. Turn the grommet nut counterclockwise to remove it. Some tires will also use a squash washer placed under the grommet nut.

4. Push down on the valve stem of the TPMS sensor with your finger until it pops into the cavity of the deflated tire.

5. Roll the tire to the tire machine and use the bead-breaker to break the top bead of the tire first. Since the bead-breaker will break the bead of the tire from the side, the sensor will be safe at the bottom of the inside of the tire. Break the inside bead of the tire next.

6. Place the tire onto the turntable of the tire machine and use the extension arm and the tire machine's pry bar to separate the top bead of the tire from the rim. Before separating the bottom bead from the rim, reach down inside the bladder of the tire, locate the sensor and remove it to avoid damaging it.

7. Remove the old rubber gasket from the base of the valve stem of the TPMS sensor and replace it with the new one from the replacement kit. Remount the tire then use the replacement grommet nut, squash washer (where applicable), valve core and valve stem cap. Tighten the grommet nut to the recommended inch-pounds noted in the application guide using the torquing ratchet, flip-socket and extension.

Tips & Warnings

• When reinstalling the sensor, some people may suggest installing the sensor prior to remounting the tire onto the rim. It's just as easy for standard type tires with manipulative sidewalls to install the sensor after the tire has been mounted onto the rim by simply pushing down on the sidewall of the tire. This will ensure the sensor is not damaged when remounting; however, if you drop the sensor accidentally, you'll have to remove the top bead of the tire again to retrieve it. Low-profile tires with stiff sidewalls and tight rims may make putting the sensor on last too challenging.

References

• Art's Automotive: TPMS Procedure

Resources

• USAToolWarehouse: OTC TPMS Hard Copy Application Guide
• Patchboy: TPMS Online Application Guide for Sensors and Replacement Kits