How tighten TPMS nut?

e82n54 · 09-05-2011, 11:02 PM

My tires keep leaking air. Last time it was just the tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) nut/bolt that needed tightening. My tire shop fixed it for free, but I would rather fix it myself if possible. I tried tightening the 11 mm nut on the valve stem, but it just spins and doesn\'t seem to get tighter. Does the tire have to be removed to tighten the TPMS? Thanks.

Dackelone · 09-05-2011, 11:51 PM

You need a 11mm deep socket and use VERY LITTLE force. I think its 3.5Nm but look up the specs yourself. IF the nut just spins you have a problem. Take it into your dealer. There is a metal wire or pin/spring that sits inside the wheel/lip - this prevents the vave stem from spinning as you torque it down. Sounds like this metal pin has come loose - allowing the valve stem to spin as you tighten it. It is possible to over tighten the nut and then your SOL and will need a new valve stem.

xerox445 · 09-06-2011, 12:36 AM

When i got my BERU sensors to install on my aftermarket wheels, i was under the assumption that the pin is only to tighten the sensor assembly while the tire is off. I wouldnt leave that long peice of metal inside the tire after the install.

If its spinning you need to at least break the beads of the tire so you can get to the back of the sensor.

Dackelone · 09-06-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xerox445

When i got my BERU sensors to install on my aftermarket wheels, i was under the assumption that the pin is only to tighten the sensor assembly while the tire is off. I wouldnt leave that long peice of metal inside the tire after the install.

If its spinning you need to at least break the beads of the tire so you can get to the back of the sensor.

^^Yes, you are correct. I don't know what I was thinking of. I could have sworn I saw a picture with the pin installed on a wheel. But read the Beru directions... it clearly states in step #2 to remove that pin. Its only used for torquing down the valve stem. (see the Beru TPMS pdf I have attahced).

Maybe your installer did not use loctite on the valve stem threads? But then again even the BMW ones seem to loosen up with some miles. ?

Dackelone · 09-06-2011, 10:18 AM

And here are some pics of what the TPMS wheel sensor looks like...

VMRWheels · 09-06-2011, 12:57 PM

The nut/rubber o-ring could be overtightened causing it to warp and leak. I would double check.

-Charles@VMRWheels

e82n54 · 09-06-2011, 02:27 PM

Thanks guys!!

bavarianx · 09-06-2011, 05:59 PM

Yes, once the rubber seal has been over tightened it will distort and leak.

09-05-2011, 11:02 PM	#1
e82n54 Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 230 Posts Drives: '09 135i 6MT Alpine White Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	How tighten TPMS nut? My tires keep leaking air. Last time it was just the tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) nut/bolt that needed tightening. My tire shop fixed it for free, but I would rather fix it myself if possible. I tried tightening the 11 mm nut on the valve stem, but it just spins and doesn\'t seem to get tighter. Does the tire have to be removed to tighten the TPMS? Thanks.
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09-06-2011, 12:36 AM	#3
xerox445 Damenslip-Tropfer 23 Rep 543 Posts Drives: 2008 SGM 135i Join Date: May 2011 Location: LBI, NJ iTrader: (1)	When i got my BERU sensors to install on my aftermarket wheels, i was under the assumption that the pin is only to tighten the sensor assembly while the tire is off. I wouldnt leave that long peice of metal inside the tire after the install. If its spinning you need to at least break the beads of the tire so you can get to the back of the sensor.
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09-06-2011, 10:18 AM	#5
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	And here are some pics of what the TPMS wheel sensor looks like... Attached Images
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09-06-2011, 12:57 PM	#6
VMRWheels General 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	The nut/rubber o-ring could be overtightened causing it to warp and leak. I would double check. -Charles@VMRWheels __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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09-06-2011, 02:27 PM	#7
e82n54 Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 230 Posts Drives: '09 135i 6MT Alpine White Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1)	Thanks guys!!
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09-05-2011, 11:51 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10528 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	You need a 11mm deep socket and use VERY LITTLE force. I think its 3.5Nm but look up the specs yourself. IF the nut just spins you have a problem. Take it into your dealer. There is a metal wire or pin/spring that sits inside the wheel/lip - this prevents the vave stem from spinning as you torque it down. Sounds like this metal pin has come loose - allowing the valve stem to spin as you tighten it. It is possible to over tighten the nut and then your SOL and will need a new valve stem.
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09-06-2011, 05:59 PM	#8
bavarianx Colonel 224 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: 2006 X5 4.4i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (18)	Yes, once the rubber seal has been over tightened it will distort and leak.
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