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Tire inflation valve stem cracking 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

36K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  partlowr 
#1 ·
I have had both front tire aluminum inflation valve stems crack at the threaded ends. The first one I noticed and had replaced before my tire lost pressure. The most recent failure resulted in the valve stem cracking and separating completely causing a flat tire. Is the metal used in the stem too brittle or weak? I am fortunate that I have not had this failure occur while the vehicle was moving. 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo WK 3.7
 
#2 ·
Hi
What valve caps do you have on it? this is a caution out the the service manual.
CAUTION: Tire pressure sensor valve stem caps and cores are specially designed for the sensors. Due to risk of corrosion, do not use a standard valve stem cap or core in a tire pressure sensor in place of the original equipment style sensor cap and core.
Regards,
Merlin
 
#3 ·
The problem is the stems are aluminum and the caps seize onto the stem. Most manufactures are replacing the metal caps with plastic to stop this from happening. The valve cores are special because they are nickle plated for the same reason. Rebuild kits are available at most tire shops and should be used every tire replacement. The valve core and stem must be torqued to the correct value or failure will result. The torque value can be found on "all data" or the like.
 
#4 ·
Valve stem reply.

I had a plastic cap the same aluminum color as the valve assembly on the most recent front tire valve. The previous failure occured on a capless valve. I bought the Jeep used from a local 5 star dealer. I was inflating/deflating the tire because the lot had the air pressure up around 51lbs and the alarm light was lit on the dash. (I am not sure if this was to firm up the ride or to encourage me to schedule a visit to their service department). I was checking the air pressure with a gage on my first valve stem and crack there went the stem. I would not be surprised if the oil change tech did the same thing during my oil change that morning. He did not replace the cap on the stem. Probably was afraid to touch it after cracking it. I can see how this could add up in the future at $90 a pop for dealer repair/replacement. The thought of these stems corroding as they age and being subject to failure concerns me. The loose fitting plastic cap surely was not a water tight seal.
 
#6 ·
I didn't see any real answers to the previously posted questions, but over a year later I hope we're all a bit smarter - so here goes...... I also have had valve stem problems. I have the pressure sensor stems on my 2006 Grand Cherokee. I lost one stem to a tire change expert at a national tire dealership placing $800 worth of tires on my car. Obviously it wasn't his fault. I had the sensor replaced by a dealer (for $130) - it's now on my spare. But it continously reports "low pressure", however the pressure is correct. The dealer "reprogrammed" all the sensors but I still have the problem.

First off, is the broken valve stem a recall item ? :rolleyes:

Secondly, what does it take to fix the "low pressure" message I keep getting ? :confused:
 
#7 ·
^^^did your STEALER (130) use the correct part number? there are more than one part number for the GCs. and those part numbers have different frequencies.

I did a wheel and tire swap, i bought 4 used ones on here with the SAME part number as on my jeep. it just plain worked. not one light for one sec. the jeep read them all perfectly.


look for a merlin thread about the spare tire. the srt8 doesnt have a spare and they have the same tpms as the other GC. so I think you can ditch the one in the spare if its the sensor thats the issue.
 
#9 ·
... I had the sensor replaced by a dealer (for $130) - it's now on my spare. But it continously reports "low pressure", however the pressure is correct. The dealer "reprogrammed" all the sensors but I still have the problem.

Secondly, what does it take to fix the "low pressure" message I keep getting ? :confused:[/QUOTE]...

What pressure are you saying is correct?? The pressure on the tire, or the pressure the sensor is looking for?? Some are different, especially with different size tires (I'm assuming, for $800).

I know when I bought my tires from a chain, they rebuilt the TPMS for $14 each and haven't had a problem running at 33lbs. However a friend of mine had an issue with his after only replacing one sensor (which is what it sounds like you did, as well). His problems cleared up after replacing them all... different lot? I don't know. As for your recall question, I haven't heard of the TPMS being recalled.
 
#10 ·
Actually I had four tires replaced (new tires, new valves, balanced and installed) and the installer mentioned he had problems with one of the valves. But since they're special he couldn't replace it (nor did I get a credit when I didn't get new stems) - I needed to take it to Jeep. I got a mile down the road and the low pressure warning went off, the tire with the problem valve went flat (broken valve stem). I had to change the tire in a rain storm.

A Jeep dealer installed a new stem for me and fixed the flat. I drove off and immediately got the "low pressure" warning on the spare tire. The dealer tried to fix it but finally gave up, asking me to drive it for a while to see if it went away by itself. The dealer did tell me they went through the normal reprogramming needed after a sensor change, they also cycled the tire pressure from 0 - 40 psi trying to clear the problem. So I took it on vacation (the reason I had new tires installed). 2000 miles later the computer is still reporting a "low pressure spare" but the spare tire is at 36 psi.

I asked about the recall because I see where the valve stem breakage has been a continous problem for Jeep owners. The internal valves tend to corrode and stick in the stem as do metal caps when used. Attempts to remove the valve stem or the cap can sometimes cause the stems to crack or snap off. I believe the tire installer cracked my stem when trying to remove the valve to release the air in the tire.
 
#13 ·
Actually I had four tires replaced (new tires, new valves, balanced and installed) and the installer mentioned he had problems with one of the valves. But since they're special he couldn't replace it (nor did I get a credit when I didn't get new stems) - I needed to take it to Jeep. I got a mile down the road and the low pressure warning went off, the tire with the problem valve went flat (broken valve stem). I had to change the tire in a rain storm.

A Jeep dealer installed a new stem for me and fixed the flat. I drove off and immediately got the "low pressure" warning on the spare tire. The dealer tried to fix it but finally gave up, asking me to drive it for a while to see if it went away by itself. The dealer did tell me they went through the normal reprogramming needed after a sensor change, they also cycled the tire pressure from 0 - 40 psi trying to clear the problem. So I took it on vacation (the reason I had new tires installed). 2000 miles later the computer is still reporting a "low pressure spare" but the spare tire is at 36 psi.

I asked about the recall because I see where the valve stem breakage has been a continous problem for Jeep owners. The internal valves tend to corrode and stick in the stem as do metal caps when used. Attempts to remove the valve stem or the cap can sometimes cause the stems to crack or snap off. I believe the tire installer cracked my stem when trying to remove the valve to release the air in the tire.
Hi
Dealer can test the the sensor WITHOUT removing the sensor again. The dealer should have a Tire Pressure Monitor tool (TPM/RKE Analyzer 9936)
This will test the sensor is working what pressure it is reading and the frequency it is on. It will also display the sensor code so they can code it in.

No recall that I know about but the common faults are water in the air line at poorly maintain compressors so this lets water in the valves when you inflate them. You also must have the correct caps fitted as if you look down the caps you will see there is a rubber seal in the caps, This stops water getting in from the outside.

Regards,
Merlin
 
#11 ·
Check out the last couple months of JP or Offroad Magazines. I read on one of them that there was a recall on some valve stems. I can't remember which magazine, but there was something on one of them. It had something to do with bad Chinese valve stems.
 
#14 ·
Thanks Merlin

That helps, I had asked another dealer to look at the problem - they claimed they couldn't find any reason for the bad reading or failure. Tomorrow I'm going back to the dealer that installed the new valve and now I'm armed with the info I need to make sure the problem is solved (or else find a dealer that knows what he's doing :D).
 
#15 ·
If you have a discount tire or americas tire around you go there.. They have all the tools and information to fix this for you. I work for DTC and see this happen all the time. The metal caps corrode the stem and mess with the frequencies so never use those on your TPMS stems. I have seen these break countless times 1. for no reason, 2. because of extreme heat, 3. because of chrome/metal valve stems.
 
#16 ·
Neither of those dealers are in the area, the one that caused my trouble originally was Tire Discounters and they claimed they knew valve was possibly damaged but could not replace it ..... only Jeep could do it.

I did have the Jeep dealer that did the replacement look at it again. He found the problem, the stem transmitters needed to be programed and he charged me another $100 to fix it right. When I asked why it couldn't be done the first time, he ignored me. So I paid $230 to have a stem replaced, I sort of feel like I got shafted. :mad:
 
#18 ·
My 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee has had the same problems. The TPMS valve stems are junk if you ask me. They corrode and it seams they are weakly made, i think they're aluminum. I have had 3 of them replaced and now the fourth one won't let me fill the the tire because its so bad, even bent a little. They should be better quality for $80 dollars a piece! I know once you take a tire off which has a sensor, the low pressure light will come on. I think if your spare also has a sensor, and it's stored under the vehicle, the low pressure light will stay on. I'm pretty sure any tire with the sensor has to be on the vehicle in use, thats how my Jeep is. My spare just has a regular valve stem. When i have had to use my spare in the past, the low pressure light will come on until the tire with the sensor is put back on, and drive a few miles until the computer senses it again.
 
#19 ·
I just threw 4 Rubicon take.offs on mine dif year and everything and not a single light. He'll all the sencer dose is tell you your tire is low you don't evenneed it ! Remember the good old days when we had to look at are stuff to know it was ok
 
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