Replaced tires but not valve stems

Donolie · February 7, 2017

So I got new tires yesterday for my 2014 Silverado after installing my fox 2.0 coil overs and shocks. This morning I noticed all the tires were reading different pressure so I got my gauge to manually check and they varied from 38 to 34 PSI. Since I was going to get an alignment this morning I made all of the tires 36 psi. While adding/removing air I noticed the valve stems were not replaced. Is it normal for these to not be replaced? I'd think with paying just under $1,300 new valve stems would have been in order. Also what pressure should the 275/60/20 be at, standard 35 PSI?

The service was done at a Discount Tire, I've used them in the past on vehicles with out* TPMS and always got new stems with tires.

kstruckcountry · February 7, 2017

When I had tires put on recently, I specifically requested new valve stems, and the tech still didn't do it. It even said it on the invoice/work order. So I got to burn another hour and a half for them to put in the new valve stems. In my opinion, it should be standard practice to replace them. Nothing like paying $1000+ for brand new tires and having them leak.

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TJay74 · February 7, 2017

You cant just "replace" the valve stems on the newer trucks, the valve stems are part of the TPMS sensor. They make a rebuild kit for them, but that is an extra cost to have it done.

bndawgs · February 7, 2017

You cant just "replace" the valve stems on the newer trucks, the valve stems are part of the TPMS sensor. They make a rebuild kit for them, but that is an extra cost to have it done.

This ^

newdude · February 7, 2017

The valves stems they use now are much better than in the past. Really don't need to be changed unless they leak. They are more like the high pressure stems they used to use before TPMS on HD trucks that were rated for really high pressures, but all rubber coated like a traditional stem. They are not as cheap as the old styles either, about $4-10 per stem depending where you get them.

You cant just "replace" the valve stems on the newer trucks, the valve stems are part of the TPMS sensor. They make a rebuild kit for them, but that is an extra cost to have it done.

This ^

Wrong and wrong. GM uses tire pressure sensors with a serviceable rubber valve stem.

Andy Seibel · February 7, 2017

Also what pressure should the 275/60/20 be at, standard 35 PSI?

there are 100's of ways to answer this question. if those are the same size tire that came on your truck, and the same load rating, you can just run them at the 35 psi (what is says on your door jamb).

If they are different in any way from your OEM tires, then you need to get manufacturer load and pressure ratings for your specific tires and figure out how much weight you regularly carry and adjust accordingly.

some people claim to run really high PSI and others stick to 35. If you run an empty truck on the road most of the time, then anywhere between 35-40 should be fine. Higher psi for heavy loads.

bndawgs · February 7, 2017

The valves stems they use now are much better than in the past. Really don't need to be changed unless they leak. They are more like the high pressure stems they used to use before TPMS on HD trucks that were rated for really high pressures, but all rubber coated like a traditional stem. They are not as cheap as the old styles either, about $4-10 per stem depending where you get them.

Wrong and wrong. GM uses tire pressure sensors with a serviceable rubber valve stem.

Wow, you are correct. I just looked and see it is a rubber valve stem screwed to the sensor.

Guess I shouldn't be surprised that GM has cheapened out on these. My 04 Tahoe had a one piece all metal stem.

sk · February 7, 2017

Wow, you are correct. I just looked and see it is a rubber valve stem screwed to the sensor.

Guess I shouldn't be surprised that GM has cheapened out on these. My 04 Tahoe had a one piece all metal stem.

They didn't really cheapen out on them - GM is actually saving you money. Now you only need to replace the rubber stem instead of the entire stem and TPMS sensor (which usually costs around $40 per wheel).

I would still recommend changing (or rebuilding) the TPMS sensors every 5-7 years though. The batteries in them will eventually wear out and set off codes.

bndawgs · February 7, 2017

They didn't really cheapen out on them - GM is actually saving you money. Now you only need to replace the rubber stem instead of the entire stem and TPMS sensor (which usually costs around $40 per wheel).

I would still recommend changing (or rebuilding) the TPMS sensors every 5-7 years though. The batteries in them will eventually wear out and set off codes.

I see what you're saying, but one could argue that the rubber one would be easier to damage than the old metal one i had and therefore cost more in the long run.

ScreaminChevy · February 8, 2017

I see what you're saying, but one could argue that the rubber one would be easier to damage than the old metal one i had and therefore cost more in the long run.

The metal ones sucked, at least around here, They would always corrode and break.

kstruckcountry · February 8, 2017

The issue with metal valve stems is that they break if they are hit. The rubber ones just bend.

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TJay74 · February 8, 2017

The valves stems they use now are much better than in the past. Really don't need to be changed unless they leak. They are more like the high pressure stems they used to use before TPMS on HD trucks that were rated for really high pressures, but all rubber coated like a traditional stem. They are not as cheap as the old styles either, about $4-10 per stem depending where you get them.

Wrong and wrong. GM uses tire pressure sensors with a serviceable rubber valve stem.

Actually I am correct in the fact you cant just grab the old style valve stem tool and pull the stem out from the front of the wheel and then pull the new one in from the backside of the wheel. The valve stem is part of the TPMS sensor, I have seen plenty of them. There is a rebuild kit you can buy that has the new stem and several O-rings, but as I said most shops don't do that for free. I know Discount tire offers it as an additional charge.

muddkatt · February 8, 2017

15HDriver is correct.

I purchased a set of take off wheels and tires removed from a 2015 and put them on my 01. The TPMS had been removed and after mounting them I had a tire that would leak down after a week or so. Carried it to a tire shop and they found a damaged/slightly ripped valve stem. They said it was a good thing that GM changed the design because the stem to fit those rims was only about 8 bucks. The total bill was under $20 and I have had no issues in at least 6 months.

I watched them change the stem and there was NO o-rings used. They simply pulled the new stem through the hole just like the old style valve stems before TPMS. There was a brass threaded stem inside the rim that the sensor would have screwed onto.

newdude · February 8, 2017

Actually I am correct in the fact you cant just grab the old style valve stem tool and pull the stem out from the front of the wheel and then pull the new one in from the backside of the wheel. The valve stem is part of the TPMS sensor, I have seen plenty of them. There is a rebuild kit you can buy that has the new stem and several O-rings, but as I said most shops don't do that for free. I know Discount tire offers it as an additional charge.

Yes you can pull them through. You have to unscrew the stem from the sensor first. No rebuild kit, just a new valve stem. Have you actually looked at your wheels on your 2016? Rubber stem. They don't use the one piece on anything other than Corvette and some Camaro due to the high speeds obtainable with those vehicles. Every GM since about 2007-2008 use these, and they even supersede the metal ones on certain applications.

This is what they look like:

newdude · February 8, 2017

The newest 2016+up vehicles, and the replacement sensor for the 13586335 (the first rubber stem sensors they used that look like the one above) now have an even smaller sensor, about 1/2 the size. Still use the serviceable valve stem.

Go look at any new GM car or truck on the lot. Rubber valve stem.

This is what the newest ones look like: