Broke my TPMS installing tires today

[Turbo Cow]

I recently bought a tire change machine and balancer because I wanted to do my own tires from now on. I was doing great but I guess I tagged the TPMS sensor when dismounting the old Pirelli tires. Now I just get a exclamation point on my dashboard. Three of them work, the left rear doesn't. I ordered new sensors from Amazon that say they fit. I hope so. I have the relearn tool in case the new ones need to be trained. It sucks to have to dismount a tire I got perfect on the balancer. These tires are definitely hard to mount due to either low profile or stiff sidewall. My skills are definitely lacking but I guess it comes with the territory I'll break one or two in the future probably.

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[Brisvegas]

In the future make sure you break the bead opposite to tyre valve be my only suggestion .

 

[WItoTX]

Shit happens, you'll change tires again and figure out the tricks.

I think, I haven't researched much, they make some tpms that are a bit lower profile. The guy that does my tires uses them because he was having issues breaking them too. Might be worth checking into.

 

[Turbo Cow]

I ordered these from Amazon and they showed up today. I was able to break the beads on the tire and use the 3rd arm on my tire machine to push down the tire's bead/sidewall around the valve stem and get a t10 torx bit in there to remove the broke one. The old one doesn't show any signs of damage though. The new one was hard to pull into the hole. I had to use the tire valve stem tool and a huge pair of chanel locks. Tire still was wet with tire lube from yesterday. Aired right up. I was disappointed yesterday after realizing I broke it but glad it was a quick fix. 40 dollar mistake.
Ford wanted 100 dollars for one tpms sensor!

https://a.co/d/d0p5Xlc

 

[G.T.]

Was it verified it's broken?

I did some rotations and TPMS replacements and it was common for a sensor or 2 to lag connecting and show up as dashes on the display.

On some Shrader brand systems you need to get up to 20-30mph to get it to start connecting for the 1st time.

 

[Craig Brown]

When removing the old tires make sure that the TPMS is to the left of the demounting head about 6" start there for the first bead and also for the second bead you can see and feel the sensor while removing the tire. When mounting the tire have the sensor at the same position and try to push the bead on by hand, they should slide on without much effort. I have been changing tires for over ten years. When doing the second bead have the sensor to the left of the mounting at least a foot, if you have helper arms on your machine you can use the left side arm to keep the tire from slipping. When breaking the bead start with the inside bead and never have the valve stem near the braking shoe. Flip the tire to do the outside face of the tire and stay away from the valve stem. I hope this helps. If you have an old rim, you can use it as a practice rim to refine your ability of not hitting the sensors. Save you old sensor and put it on the practice rim you can develop your skills. I had my own tire business for ten years and taught myself how to do it. I started when I was 57 years old after 30 years of custom sheet metal fabrication. I have retired now but I still do all my own tires. If you ever do really wide rims you may find it hard to balance them. switch to static balance and put the weights in the center of the rim not on the outside edges. On wide rims the computer has trouble with the distance of the weights from side to side.

 

[Therealmattlex]

You'll get the hang of it. I've accidentally damaged a few over the years. The nice thing is you now have 3 extras if it happens again. I've actually had better luck with the cheap sensors working vs the replacement ford sensors I've purchased.

 

[5doorsoffury]

can you give me more info on the tire changer/balancer? that is something on my radar. i can never find someone that will do the work right. it seems everyone says no i will chip the paint ect.. im also afraid of the "test drive" they do.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

Was it verified it's broken?

When mine broke off getting my tires mounted, it worked fine for a few days, then completely broke off inside the tire. Obviously at high speeds, centripetal force pushed it toward the outside of the tire, but at low speeds, it bounced around a lot. That was a fun noise.

JR

 

[Therealmattlex]

can you give me more info on the tire changer/balancer? that is something on my radar. i can never find someone that will do the work right. it seems everyone says no i will chip the paint ect.. im also afraid of the "test drive" they do.

Avoiding any chips and scuff can be very difficult. The newer tire machines with the extra arm to push on the sidewall can really help but it can still be a little tricky. I've come to accept that my wheels are more of a wear item. eventually they'll need refinishing from normal use.

I agree with you I don't like anyone touching my car if I'm not there. I've had to many minor issues.

 

[Turbo Cow]

Was it verified it's broken?

I did some rotations and TPMS replacements and it was common for a sensor or 2 to lag connecting and show up as dashes on the display.

On some Shrader brand systems you need to get up to 20-30mph to get it to start connecting for the 1st time.

I took it out on the highway for a 20 min drive. It never showed up. So im not sure. I assumed it was broken but didn't test it. I know for sure I got way too close to it with the clamp shell.

 

[G.T.]

^That being said, it does look like it's busted.

 

[Turbo Cow]

can you give me more info on the tire changer/balancer? that is something on my radar. i can never find someone that will do the work right. it seems everyone says no i will chip the paint ect.. im also afraid of the "test drive" they do.

I bought this brand with the 3 arms and tire balancer.
https://bilthardusa.com/products/bilt-hard-2-hp-double-assist-arms-tire-changer-wheel-balancer-combo

 

[Craig Brown]

I have covers for the clamps, so the metal clamps never touch the rim. The demount head stays .375" away from the rim. I didn't chip any rims while changing tires in ten years.

 

[Craig Brown]

I retired in 2018 from the tire business and I still have people calling me to do tire changes. My shop was small and I did all tire changing myself and I would let the customers watch so they could see that I did not chip the rims.

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