Wheel and Tire: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Failure to follow the instructions below may result in damage to the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor.

NOTE: Use only special tool 204-354 any time tire pressures are measured to be sure that accurate values are obtained.

NOTE: A wheel and tire equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor will have the following verbiage stamped or cast on the wheel: SENSOR MAY BE INSIDE.

NOTE: The TPMS sensor is mounted to the wheel 180 degrees opposite of the valve stem and is held in place by a stainless steel strap. The sensor is not mounted to the valve stem.

Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to WHEEL AND TIRE in this article.
CAUTION: Do not allow the tire beads to move beyond the wheel mid-plane (middle of the wheel) when separating the beads from the wheels, damage to the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor may occur.

Fig 1: Locating Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Tire and valve stem position is critical to prevent damage to the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor when using a paddle-type bead separator.

NOTE: Some machines may have a nylon roller bead separator at the 12 o'clock position instead of the paddle-type bead separator at the 3 o'clock position.

Position the wheel and tire assembly on a suitable tire machine and separate both beads of the tire from the wheel.
- For a paddle-type tire machine, position the valve stem at the 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock position and the paddle at the 3 o'clock position.
- For a roller-type tire machine, align the valve stem with the roller at any position.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Wheel And Tire Assembly On Paddle-Type Tire Machine
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Wheel And Tire Assembly On Roller-Type Tire Machine
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Index-mark the valve stem and wheel weight positions on the tire.

Fig 4: Identifying Wheel And Tire Assembly On Turntable Tire Machine (Dismounting Outer Bead)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Place the wheel and tire assembly on the turntable of the tire machine with the valve stem between the 5 and 6 o'clock positions and the machine arm at the 12 o'clock position and dismount the outer bead from the wheel.
Reset the wheel and tire assembly on the turntable of the tire machine with the valve stem between the 5 and 6 o'clock positions and the machine arm at the 12 o'clock position and dismount the inner bead from the wheel.

Fig 5: Identifying Wheel And Tire Assembly On Turntable Of Tire Machine (Dismounting Inner Bead)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Inspect the TPMS sensor, cradle and strap for damage, install new parts as necessary.
- For information on removal and installation of the TPMS sensor, refer to TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) SENSOR in this article.
- When installing a new wheel, reuse the TPMS sensor from the previous wheel if possible. The TPMS will not have to be trained if the sensor is reused. The new wheel will not come with a sensor strap. A sensor strap kit will need to be ordered with the new wheel.