New wheel problem

[Badal38257]

I bought some new Verde Axis V99 19" wheels. Mechanic is putting them on now and says with the standard valve stem hits the caliper. He said he can put on a "412 stem" but the pressure monitor wont be able to be installed. Anybody have a solution that doesnt involve losing the pressure sensor AND having to see a warning light?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Well, you get different TPMS and valve stems. I'm sure you'll clear if you get the right combo. "They" should be the ones to find and install them. Heh!? That choice you were offered is no choice at all, in my humble opinion.

 

[Badal38257]

I agree and have asked another local wheel specialist and they are no help either. I really would not have thought this an unsolvable problem for mechanics and wheel people, but apparently im expecting too much. i found some flush mount stem adapters on Amazon, but dont think they work with the sensor.

 

[MerlintheMad]

When I got my TSW wheels for my summer tires, the guys putting them on (they ordered them too) called and said that the OE TPMS wouldn't fit the valve stem attachment point; they needed to install valves and matched TPMS. Well, this was actually a good thing, since otherwise I'd be pulling both from the wheels and putting them in the other wheels when I changed back for winter: best to have TPMS permanently installed on each wheel. I take this to mean that each wheel (we have so many) has valves and TPMS that work with them; and with caliper clearance thrown into the mix. Why TWO wheel/tire shops would tell you to find your own solution is just disappointing and bizarre.

 

[Badal38257]

is banding a sensor to the wheel a bad thing?

 

[MerlintheMad]

I do not know what you mean, "banding".

 

[Badal38257]

Apparently you can strap it to the wheel. I have too much crap to be doing to be worrying about how to fix this. Thats why i let a mechanic do it. Good grief.

 

[MerlintheMad]

And they are failing at their job, which means failing you. I got lucky, I guess. Find someone who knows what they are talking about: and may that "quest" not take too much of your time. Amen.

 

[Badal38257]

Well this has been a learning experience. This is my first and last time trying to do this on my own. They have mounted all the tires so more than likely i cant return the wheels. I personally walked into 3 custom wheel shops that were no help other than to say they guessed the flush ones would work but they didnt have any and that the sensors probably couldnt be installed. All of the internet says this wheel will fit, there are pics on the web of stingers with this wheel and i found on this site that at least one member has had this wheel on their stinger. I have reached out to Manchuz and hope he can tell me what he used.

 

[oddball]

I had a similar adventure with my '72 cutlass - 18" wheels with C6 z51 brakes and soft lip rims. It's cozy in there.

I banded TPMS sensors into the drop. Works fine. One of the guys at the tire shop didn't want to touch it, another guy was fine with it. Took them a little while longer than normal, but those are custom polished aluminum rims, so extra time is warranted.
Band the sensor next to the valve stem hole. The low profile stems weigh almost nothing, so having the TPMS sensor where it normally is will help the tech balance the wheel like they normally do.

I also bought my own right angle low profile valve stems off amazon. They work fine. I was able to use shorties on the rear. All of them are a major PITA to use when the wheel is on the car.

Granted, the Firestone guys know me. The shop is a 1/2 mile from my house, so I just take everything there for tires and alignment.

 

[Mike_TX]

I guess I'm the only bozo on here who doesn't understand how a valve stem could hit the caliper. The valve stem is on the outside part of the rim, while the caliper is BEHIND the wheel. Do these wheels have the valve stem pointing INWARD???

 

[MerlintheMad]

I guess I'm the only bozo on here who doesn't understand how a valve stem could hit the caliper. The valve stem is on the outside part of the rim, while the caliper is BEHIND the wheel. Do these wheels have the valve stem pointing INWARD???

I accept that this is a unicorn wheel design. Maybe it's supposed to make the valve stem "invisible"? If so, that was one OCD design.

 

[Badal38257]

Its in the dead center of the wheel. And yes it does appear that these are one of the few that have this issue. Figures.

 

[oddball]

I guess I'm the only bozo on here who doesn't understand how a valve stem could hit the caliper. The valve stem is on the outside part of the rim, while the caliper is BEHIND the wheel. Do these wheels have the valve stem pointing INWARD???

Look up what "soft lip" means on wheels.

 

[Stock_stinger]

If it's hitting the weight on the pad, remove the weight. Not needed

 

[Badal38257]

The saga continues. I ordered a set of the flush stems before i found out about the ones suggested here with the loop on the end. The flush ones came in but there were only 3 in the bag. "Not a problem" thought I. "I dont even need them". Got the 897210TPMS ones in today and the mechanic says they still hit. Looking closer, it looks like they didnt send both rubber grommets which makes them stick up higher. He is working now to see if he can find one to fit and get the stem further into the wheel. If these dont work ill have to order another set of the flush ones. Cant find a way to get them here before next tuesday and then only if i pay $55 in shipping. Car will have been parked for 2 weeks by then.

 

[oddball]

Here's the style I used on my extremely tight setup
90 degree valve stem
They're called "motorcycle" stems, but the hole size, valve, and nipple size are all the same as a normal car stem.

 

[Badal38257]

Ive seen those and wondered if they would work. I should know within the hour if my latest scheme is going to fly. I bought nylon washers to take up some of the thread spacing and make the stem shorter. Had to drill them out but they fir pretty good. Fingers crossed.

 

[Badal38257]

Well the saga is over, for now. I made some nylon washers to try to take up some of the space on the Coyote stems, but they were still too long. I dont know how thats possible, knowing people on here got them to work, but thats what the man said. I brought them another, full set of the flush style and they worked, but of course now I have the sensor problem to worry about. I will attempt the banding later, once I'm over this trauma. Turned out pretty slick if you ask me. Went with a square setup, due to the fact thats its my daily and ill put 20-25k on it a year. Thanks for all the input.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Those really are very good looking wheels. Good luck on getting your TPMS to function.