Wheel sensors destroyed through tire removal?

[billschroeder5842]

I'm going to need to get a new set of tires pretty soon, so I'm doing some pre planning.

I was thinking of getting my wheels (91 sawblades) refinished at the same time as the tires. They have no curb rash but some pitting and stains/fading. The idea is remove the old ties, refinish and then mount the new tires on super "new" wheels.

I spoke to a local (ARS Wheels) shop that has a good reputation. They said that I will need to get a full set of sensors as they will not guarantee their "survival" through removal or install. (BTW, they want $180 per wheel.... FYI)

Is that true? I've never head such a thing. Obviously a new set of sensors complicates this project and ads an additional (pretty stout) expense.

So is removing the tires hazardous to sensors or do I need another shop?

[RussMcB]

(BTW, they want $180 per wheel.... FYI)Good lord.

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Find another shop.
Marty

[Young1]

In the 90s these wheel sensors were a new thing. But this Type of band wheel sensor is now quite common. Proficient shops are used to them. I agree go to a different shop.

[klork]

That is a ton of money per wheel to get refinished unless they need a lot or reworking due to a lot of curb rash or some other significant damage. I do powder coating as a side business and charge $75 a wheel for most colors and a clear coat. That includes blasting to bare metal. Pretty much all other shops around me are the same price. I also follow a large group on facebook and even the more expensive shops I see on there start out at $100 a wheel for a color coat and I think about $140 with a clear coat.

[tccrab]

I had the local America's Tire Company remove the wheel sensors when I replaced my tires this summer.
No charge.
No damage.


Find a reputable shop.

[billschroeder5842]

Thanks guys- this made no sense to me either. Thanks for the 3rd-party validation.

I'll check out some other shops.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I don’t understand how these shops damage sensors. I did it myself at the auto hobby shop. All you do is break the bead where the label indicates, then the bead/tire is held down while you unscrew the clamp and pull out the band and sensor. The reverse to install. It’s sad that actual tire shops can’t do this. [emoji22] Its not difficult at all, but I guess you have to give a crap.


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[billschroeder5842]

Its not difficult at all, but I guess you have to give a crap.


I think this is close to the truth...

[EvanZR1]

Bill, I know multiple people who've used Wheel Repair Solutions in Carrollton. Basically you drop the car off, leave it overnight and the next day it's done. They'll take the tires off, refinish the wheels, then remount. I would imagine if you had the new tires there, they'll install those for you. I have not had anyone with a C4 with pressure sensors use them, but they do enough that I'm sure they've seen them before and know how to handle them.

Alternatively, you could do what I did and just ditch the pressure sensors altogether. 91 won't throw a warning light if they are all removed.

[billschroeder5842]

Bill, I know multiple people who've used Wheel Repair Solutions in Carrollton........ 91 won't throw a warning light if they are all removed.

Thanks- I'll look them up- I work in Las Colinas so it is right up the road.

No code? Now, that is something I did not know.

Thanks Evan!

[TX '90 ZR1]

Bill,
I'm with Evan on leaving the sensors out. Why take a chance with a 30 year old piece of plastic coming apart at speed?
Mine is a '90. (I think the '91 works the same.) Removed the sensors and all the dash indicators work as when the sensors were installed.
:cheers:

[Hib Halverson]

In the 90s these wheel sensors were a new thing. But this Type of band wheel sensor is now quite common. Proficient shops are used to them. I agree go to a different shop.

A little about the early TPM system.

First of all 1990 was not the first year for the TPM system. It was introduced in 1989 and had been in production more than a year when the ZR-1 debuted.

The "band type" sensors are long a thing of the past. Back in the late 90s, the Corvette went to sensors integrated into the valve stem and all other manufacturers use that type of sensor.

You need to find a competent tire service facility which is familiar with the C4 Corvette TPM system. America's Tire/Discount Tire stores are usually my choice when I need competent tire service. Don't rely on some wheel shop for that. If the tire shop is aware of the sensors, has the proper equipment and knows how to use it, when they break the outer bead, then go to remove the tire they can take care to not break the sensors. When I had Barney, I had tire work done several times and my tire service vendor at the time never even touched one of those sensors.

As for the early C4 sensors coming loose, that's vary rare. While the body of the sensor is partially plastic, the retention band is stainless steel and, if installed properly, is not going to come loose.

What does fail are the sensors them selves. Seems to me there is some really old stuff floating around on the Internet on how to disassemble and repair those sensors.

[Ccmano]

I’m for removing them. Plastic, especially 90’s plastic does not age well. Unless the car has been yours since day one who knows how they have been treated during the replacement of tires. Even then you don’t necessarily know what the tire shop did. When I got my (albeit high mile) car and pulled mine all four were floating around loose inside the tires.
H
:cheers:

[WARP TEN]

Let me post a vote for leaving the sensors in. First, any competent tire shop should be able to remove the tires and protect the sensors, especially if you tell them about them before hand, show them pictures, show them the proper way to do so (all info easily available to you). I had Costco replace my old Sumis with Michelins on my '95 (with sensors, stock A molds) and they had no trouble doing so. Second, I have had the sensors work well twice for me and was very glad I had them. The tires are quite low profile and it is often hard to see that a tire is low on air. Marc Haibeck, Paul Workman and I were having lunch yesterday and happened to talk extensively about wheel sensors. He recounted a couple of times where he had taken cars for initial test rides upon arrival at his shop only to discover later that each had a completely flat tire, one pointed out by a pedestrian. The cars were all with sensors removed or lights removed. We vote to leave them in if you can find a good shop. --Bob

[lfalzarano]

I would take them out next time I change tires. As only an occasional driver (twice a month) I do a routine check of all the fluids and tire pressures before I take the Z out for a short drive. I recommend checking everything before flight takeoff in the beast!


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[EvanZR1]

There are also really cheap modern TPMS adapters that you can get as well. They even have bluetooth monitors that can be monitored from your phone (iPhone & Android), both in cap version for existing valve stems, and modern valve stem replacement units.