My 2004 RX-8 went through a carwash on Fiday. Both valve stems on the drivers side broke off causing 1 flat and the other tire losing air. I have contacted Mazda and they are ordering the valve stems but recommended I replce the PSI gauge that goes on the tires. My question is... doe it have to be replace or does the valve stem just screw into the gauge? I cannot seem to get a solid yes or no from Mazda. Any ideas out here.

 

If the sensor is boogered-up, replace the sensor, if not, don't. That's all that there should be to that. Of course, you DO want the damaged sensors that were replaced. That's not foolproof, but at least it lets them know without a doubt that you only want damaged parts replaced.

 

The Mazda man thinks, I said thinks, that the valve stems won't come out of the gauge, are you saying they can come out and if the gauge is ok, put in the new valve stem?

 

I don't know that for sure, but how could they not come out of the gauge? I've seen pictures / diagrams of the assembly. Let's see if they can be dug-up...

 

Ooof!!! You know? I think your Mazdaguy is correct! Shucks!

Check-out the diagrams in this TSB. It looks to me that the valve stem & the sensor are one unit!...

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...02-002-03.html

 

What kind of car wash did you go through, TAS? That must have been some harsh scrubbing to take your valve stems off.

 

Thanks everyonr for your hrlp. I know the mazda guy is right, I have the gauge and the stem will not move. Not that I need them to run the car, but it is about $475.00 to replace both stems. A little pricey, but it's the carwashs $$.

It was a carwash that has a great rep here in Indy, It was the rail at the begining that did it.