Nail in tire cases failed inspection?

[ToyotaDave]

Just had my car inspection done and it failed because i have a nail in my tire that they say is to close to the sidewall to fix and that i need to buy another tire.

The tire has 10k miles on it. I have tired to pull out the nail myself with no luck as it is very far into the tread.

I wanted to just plug it.

 

[Sumboodie]

Unless it's 4+" long, that's not in the tire case.

 

[Rob_Roy]

That will be a tough one to dig out. You may need to dismount the tire to fix. Try a local tire shop and see what they think.

 

[Danno]

Knock it in and plug it, my 1 cents worth of opinion.

 

[johnnydc]

I call BS on this. I have plugged many holes from nails to 1/4 inch bolts going into the tire. I have also plugged holes very close to the side wall. I have never lost a tire doing it this way. Never had problems with the plugs leaking either.

 

[Speedbird001]

I call BS on this. I have plugged many holes from nails to 1/4 inch bolts going into the tire. I have also plugged holes very close to the side wall. I have never lost a tire doing it this way. Never had problems with the plugs leaking either.

Agreed. 100% the shop failing it is more than happy to sell you a new tire today in order to pass. Unless were talking a high performance situation I would probably take it to a shop that does patches from the inside.

Rip off the fail sticker and ride dirty to a new/different shop for re-inspection (The original might have an ax to grind over this now)

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

From the photo, it really looks like you may have (two) bad spots? One looks like a round hole with ? dirt or grease in it..... then it looks like you have a kind of long nail that went into a tread and turned horizontal and came out of it? Maybe just seeing it wrong? Neither look too close to the sidewall for sure. I have found lately near all tire shops other than Walmart will try to find every excuse to make you buy a new one. Good luck.

 

[SC Maintenance]

No tire shop will plug or patch a tire that close to the edge. I am sure many here have done so successfully, but that is the part of the tire that flexes the most, so I don't blame them. Its not worth the liability to them for a small repair fee.

Knock it in and plug it, my 1 cents worth of opinion.

This is what I would do in a pinch. I personally would replace this tire, but I would do this until I got to it.

 

[ToyotaDave]

Agreed. 100% the shop failing it is more than happy to sell you a new tire today in order to pass. Unless were talking a high performance situation I would probably take it to a shop that does patches from the inside.

Rip off the fail sticker and ride dirty to a new/different shop for re-inspection (The original might have an ax to grind over this now)

It's just the average tire nothing special.

 

[ToyotaDave]

That will be a tough one to dig out. You may need to dismount the tire to fix. Try a local tire shop and see what they think.

I have tired needle nose pliers, flat blade screwdrivers with no luck.

 

[ToyotaDave]

No tire shop will plug or patch a tire that close to the edge. I am sure many here have done so successfully, but that is the part of the tire that flexes the most, so I don't blame them. Its not worth the liability to them for a small repair fee.


This is what I would do in a pinch. I personally would replace this tire, but I would do this until I got to it.

I hate to replace one tire when they all just have 10k miles on them, knowing my luck the new ones would end up with some kind of damage to.

 

[Kira]

There are always missing details in short stories like these.
Did they discover the nail before you did? Lying about repairability (if so) is one thing, but I give them points for finding it.
If the nail had a head on it when they found it, I give 'em fewer points.
I can see their position re liability.

Did you attempt to pull the nail before going to inspection? Shame on you if so, for not completing the job.
I'm guessing after, as the divot looks like an exercise in anger, not careful extraction.

I don't see the "2 hole theory" mentioned in post 7.

Being one of those expensive Michelin tires, I can see your position.

If tire failure is specified on the "fail report", any subsequent inspector will give the "Eagle eye" (pun intended) to your tires.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Stuff like that is a reason for the past several years I will not purchase a tire from any place without getting the road hazard warranty.
We have so much construction work going. People pulling trailers constantly all across the area. I have lost track of how many new tires or plug patches we have had to get done lately. Last month. Glad I checked wife's car tires before her first day back at school/work. I found a rear tire kept losing air. Brought it in. To my surprise the guy showed me. "sir, you need two new tires!" Thank goodness for road hazard. They did not even have 10,000 on them. He showed me. Somehow she had 3-4 tiny nails, some type of staple and screws in both rear tires. I still have no idea how or where.

 

[Arc]

I don't have to go through insections but a nail like that can be left in the tire. I would put a little slime or fixaflat in it and keep driving on it.

 

[dishdude]

it looks like you have a kind of long nail that went into a tread and turned horizontal and came out of it?

I think you're right. I'd be digging that out to see what was going on. If it did puncture, replace that one tire.

 

[CapriRacer]

The problem is what is going to satisfy the inspection. If plugging the tire will, OK, but I suspect a new tire will be required.

 

[Sumboodie]

No tire shop will plug or patch a tire that close to the edge. I am sure many here have done so successfully, but that is the part of the tire that flexes the most, so I don't blame them. Its not worth the liability to them for a small repair fee.


This is what I would do in a pinch. I personally would replace this tire, but I would do this until I got to it.

I don't know many that won't. It's in the tread, it's fixable.

I actually went through Sears tire school when I worked there in the early 2000s.
Did lots of tire repairs.

 

[Astro14]

No tire shop will plug or patch a tire that close to the edge. I am sure many here have done so successfully, but that is the part of the tire that flexes the most, so I don't blame them. Its not worth the liability to them for a small repair fee.


This is what I would do in a pinch. I personally would replace this tire, but I would do this until I got to it.

I was going to say this - no shop will touch it. Too close to the edge.

OP - you said that aren’t even able to pull it out yourself. You’re going to have to get a shop to fix this.

Don’t be surprised if they say it’s not repairable.

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/auto-tips-and-advice/tire-maintenance/can-my-tire-be-repaired

 

[Rand]

I could pull that and plug it.. but I would only do that on a personal vehicle and
of course I would have to be 100% sure it never was run while low on air.
takes a bit of work with needle-nose pliers and screwdriver to get that out.

I've never had a plug fail... but I did have one start to leak after 2 years.
pulled it cleaned up the hole properly and re-plugged it ..
to last for another 8 months until replacement.

but asking a shop to do that.. not likely and not at a chain tire store.

I only use the best.. I also had to replace the "spiral probe" as the handle was cast pot metal and broke after 10 repairs or so.
The pic shows the new version much more durable metal.
I've also ordered replacement strings.. as 7 year old ones are too old except emergency use.

 

[JohnnyG]

Now, here's my guess. I think it's one of those screws and the head broke or wore off. I also think that's why it's so difficult to pull. Maybe if you try to unscrew it you'll have better luck.