Alcoa wheel help using TPMS sensors and the nonsense I went through to make it work on the new 2021 Class C E450 with factory TPMS. I found the solution and it works, so hopefully this story will help those who want new Alcoa's on their class C that have factory TPMS already installed. Read on.....
I just got through working my way regarding this nightmare! Just purchased a new 2021 Entegra Esteem 29V which came with steels and Ford factory TPMS system consisting of the sensor mounted to the valve stem inside the tire area itself. The dash shows the tire pressures of all 6 wheels. Great....so all I have to do is change the steel rims for Alcoa's. I wanted the Dura-Bright versions for easier maintenance as opposed to ordering from the factory (which they have discontinued alloys now because of this TPMS addition to the 2021 model.
So I buy the kit or set from Truckwheels and it is looking good to go, and all I have to do is go to the shop and have them changed...right?
WRONG!
The new Alcoa wheels come with metal valve stems that are actually 9.7mm (or 0.390in) diameter with NO PROVISION for factory internal TPMS sensor connection at the inner part of the valve. Wow....but OK, I am sure I can find these easily.....again, WRONG!
Turns out the folks at Alcoa use this metric 9.7mm hole for the valve stem instead of the normal...what everyone else in the world uses...a 0.453 diameter valve stem.
Why?....WHY did Alcoa choose to use a valve stem of 9.7mm and not the ubiquitous 0.453? This makes absolutely no sense to me at all as 9.7mm valve stems are not widely used.
So now, this was beginning to get annoying as it was looking like I was not going to be able to make the ford factory TPMS system work with the new rims.
Called Alcoa...absolutely no help at all. In fact the "Tech" had no idea what I was talking about referencing TPMS sensors. So now, here I am looking for 9.7mm valve stems that can accommodate the factory TPMS sensors so that the tire pressure system that is already built into the Ford E450 dash will work.
I called everywhere, I searched the internet and was amazed to find nothing that could assist in solving this issue. Spoke with many a tire shop....huh, that's weird was the ultimate answer.
Unreal!...but I marched on.
Finally, the ONLY current solution I found to this problem is to use DILL VS-35 TPMS valve stems. They have a 45 degree bend in them, and they will work. They are used for the DODGE Dually with Factory Alcoa rims. Because of the 45 deg bend, it will just be a bit fiddley to check the front pressure, but they fit perfectly for the rear outer dually. For the fronts, I use a long flexible hose extension and that works well. Not that hard to check, just a bit of twisting and turning as the valve stem points away from the hole in the rim and more towards the hub. Its doable to check and add air, so don't be afraid, just a bit of messing about.
So yes, I found a solution that works, and now have new Alcoa DuraBright rims on my 2021 Entegra Esteem 29V coach that uses the Ford factory TPMS system (internal sensors) which displays all six tire pressures on the dash info screen. (my two dually inners are still the Ford steel wheels).
I do hope this story helps others with the same dilemma as I could find absolutely nothing in reference to this issue. Perhaps it has just surfaced with the new 2021 Ford E450 upgrade, but I dont really know.
I am sure at some point, a manufacturer will make TPMS metal valve stems that are straight for this application, but until then, here is a great alternative. BTW, the difference in the drive feel between the steel and alloy rims is night and day. A great upgrade and looks a lot better than the awful simulators.
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