I've noticed one of my tires (Honda) was losing tire pressure (TPMS). Today seemed to be the day to fix it, cracked the lug nuts jacked up the car, searched for and found the offending nail. Used a leathermen multi tool to pull it out, reamed the hole (tool) plugged the hole and trimmed the plug. Feels good doing things that others think only pro's can do, plus saving the time and money feels good as well.
Plugged my tire
- Thread starter R2d2
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Of course a plug patch would be better, but I never had a plug fail, if it was done correctly. BTW I'm with the NYPD 15 years all of our cars, mostly Impalas are plugged the exact same way (some many times)never have I've seen a failure. The tires(Mich Pilot HX) have a about 40k miles (regularly rotated) on them so I will be replacing them probably next summer (7/32 left).
Originally Posted By: R2d2
Used a leathermen multi tool to pull it out, reamed the hole (tool) plugged the hole and trimmed the plug. Feels good doing things that others think only pro's can do, plus saving the time and money feels good as well.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
Used a leathermen multi tool to pull it out, reamed the hole (tool) plugged the hole and trimmed the plug. Feels good doing things that others think only pro's can do, plus saving the time and money feels good as well.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
I respect your opinions, and like I said if they were NEW tires I would go that way , but for tires with 40k miles on them, they'll 100% be fine and there wont be any rust issues for the life of the tires. BTW like I've previously stated our work cars Impalas and Fusions, some newer unmarked Ford Taurus (I love this car) for a tire repair you bring the tire to an authorized private tire repair place give them the voucher, and watch them just plug the tire . So don't be so sure your tire is being plug/patched anyway.
Originally Posted By: R2d2
I respect your opinions, and like I said if they were NEW tires I would go that way , but for tires with 40k miles on them, they'll 100% be fine and there wont be any rust issues for the life of the tires. BTW like I've previously stated our work cars Impalas and Fusions, some newer unmarked Ford Taurus (I love this car) for a tire repair you bring the tire to an authorized private tire repair place give them the voucher, and watch them just plug the tire . So don't be so sure your tire is being plug/patched anyway.
That used to be exactly how it was done but now its not good enough. Ive never had a problem doing it. I bet itll be fine.
I respect your opinions, and like I said if they were NEW tires I would go that way , but for tires with 40k miles on them, they'll 100% be fine and there wont be any rust issues for the life of the tires. BTW like I've previously stated our work cars Impalas and Fusions, some newer unmarked Ford Taurus (I love this car) for a tire repair you bring the tire to an authorized private tire repair place give them the voucher, and watch them just plug the tire . So don't be so sure your tire is being plug/patched anyway.
That used to be exactly how it was done but now its not good enough. Ive never had a problem doing it. I bet itll be fine.
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
Originally Posted By: R2d2
Used a leathermen multi tool to pull it out, reamed the hole (tool) plugged the hole and trimmed the plug. Feels good doing things that others think only pro's can do, plus saving the time and money feels good as well.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
You forgot the "and charged $15-20"......
Originally Posted By: R2d2
Used a leathermen multi tool to pull it out, reamed the hole (tool) plugged the hole and trimmed the plug. Feels good doing things that others think only pro's can do, plus saving the time and money feels good as well.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
You forgot the "and charged $15-20"......
I always have my local mom & pop tire store plug them, when the nail is in the tread, not sidewall.
Not only have I never had a probblem but once when I bought new tires from them, we took the old tire, and found the plug, so with a pliers, we tried to pull the plug out from the inside. Would not budge.
Tire guy first reams out the hole, then gets the plug ready, then glops a lot of glue/sealent on the plug, then runs it into the tire. Trims the little that sticks out the tread. Never had a problem in all the times I've had it done.
BTW, he just raised his price from $7.00 to $8.00. (I think to patch from the inside, he charges something like $15.00).
Not only have I never had a probblem but once when I bought new tires from them, we took the old tire, and found the plug, so with a pliers, we tried to pull the plug out from the inside. Would not budge.
Tire guy first reams out the hole, then gets the plug ready, then glops a lot of glue/sealent on the plug, then runs it into the tire. Trims the little that sticks out the tread. Never had a problem in all the times I've had it done.
BTW, he just raised his price from $7.00 to $8.00. (I think to patch from the inside, he charges something like $15.00).
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
No, I don't really think so
The OP used a plug, not a "patch through the outside." So, the plug should stop most water entry into the steel belts causing rust. That's why modern patch/plugs have the plug part. The plug goes through the hole and prevents junk from getting in.
Now, a patch/plug at a shop is the "correct" way to do a repair. But, I worked at tow different tire shops in college (about 8 years ago) for a total of four years. One of the shops mostly used plugs. We installed many hundreds of plugs while I was there and didn't have problems with returns.
So, are plugs the best way to repair a tire? No. Are they the officially recommended method for repairing a tire? No.
Are there lots of overblown doomsday predictions from people here on BITOG about plugs? Yes.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
No, I don't really think so
The OP used a plug, not a "patch through the outside." So, the plug should stop most water entry into the steel belts causing rust. That's why modern patch/plugs have the plug part. The plug goes through the hole and prevents junk from getting in.
Now, a patch/plug at a shop is the "correct" way to do a repair. But, I worked at tow different tire shops in college (about 8 years ago) for a total of four years. One of the shops mostly used plugs. We installed many hundreds of plugs while I was there and didn't have problems with returns.
So, are plugs the best way to repair a tire? No. Are they the officially recommended method for repairing a tire? No.
Are there lots of overblown doomsday predictions from people here on BITOG about plugs? Yes.
Originally Posted By: AandPDan
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
At Les Schwab, we never plugged tires, just a patch on the inside. There was nothing to seal the elements form the cords or belts. At least a plug will seal the hole from both ends.
I would rather plug my tire than have it patched, however the reaming causing more damage would bother me.
That's not how the "pro's" would fix it.
They'd have removed the tire from the rim, inspected the tire, and patched the inner liner and the damage path. By only putting a patch through from the outside you risk damage to the steel belts - rust. The inner liner needs to be sealed to keep out moisture.
At Les Schwab, we never plugged tires, just a patch on the inside. There was nothing to seal the elements form the cords or belts. At least a plug will seal the hole from both ends.
I would rather plug my tire than have it patched, however the reaming causing more damage would bother me.
If I went to the tire store every time I had a nail in a tire or a low tire I never be home! I bet there's at least 10 plugs in my tires on my Jeep.
Purists cringe and moan, but I've NEVER had a tire fail at a plug point, and I've put a lot of miles on a plugged tire a couple of times ("lot" being over 10,00 miles).
I automatically assume the speed rating of ANY repaired tire is meaningless anyway- plug or patch, I'm not going to run it 90 mph all day. If you want to stay "V" rated, get a new tire, its the only way. But if you are being sane with the tire and the original puncture was small, I consider the better (impregnated fiber) plugs to be as good as a patch.
I automatically assume the speed rating of ANY repaired tire is meaningless anyway- plug or patch, I'm not going to run it 90 mph all day. If you want to stay "V" rated, get a new tire, its the only way. But if you are being sane with the tire and the original puncture was small, I consider the better (impregnated fiber) plugs to be as good as a patch.
No tracked car should ever use a plug. Frankly it is a bit outdated and old school. But it does work. It has a great deal to do with the duty cycle. Commuting? No problem. Hauling heavy loads? Probably a bit careless. Doesn't work well on E range tires at 80 psi either!
And the patches we have used were never 'just' a patch, they extend into the damaged area and seal the tread, many times protruding a bit off the surface for a few miles until worn down evenly. Properly applied they restore the tire to near new levels and are safe.
And the patches we have used were never 'just' a patch, they extend into the damaged area and seal the tread, many times protruding a bit off the surface for a few miles until worn down evenly. Properly applied they restore the tire to near new levels and are safe.
Originally Posted By: asand1
At Les Schwab, we never plugged tires, just a patch on the inside. There was nothing to seal the elements form the cords or belts. At least a plug will seal the hole from both ends.
I would rather plug my tire than have it patched, however the reaming causing more damage would bother me.
You pretty much have to use a hand reamer even with the modern approved patch/plugs, unless the hole is already the exact size of the plug part of the patch/plug. That's just how they do it. If it was such a problem, I don't think a patch/plug would be the approved repair method of the tire manufacturers.
At Les Schwab, we never plugged tires, just a patch on the inside. There was nothing to seal the elements form the cords or belts. At least a plug will seal the hole from both ends.
I would rather plug my tire than have it patched, however the reaming causing more damage would bother me.
You pretty much have to use a hand reamer even with the modern approved patch/plugs, unless the hole is already the exact size of the plug part of the patch/plug. That's just how they do it. If it was such a problem, I don't think a patch/plug would be the approved repair method of the tire manufacturers.
Plugged tires at various tread depths and never had a problem with them.
Lives in New York - AVG speed 17 MPH.
Honda Accord - Cargo capacity for cinder blocks = 6
He has a Leatherman.
Michelin tires on a regularly maintained vehicle - Good rubber
Didn't use Fix-a-Flat - Good judgement.
NYPD - Probably carries a gun and can put a big hole in my sidewall if I get snarky.
Tire will not explode if the plug fails.
He has TPMS (not to be confused with the other PMS I see occasionally) to warn him if the tire is leaking again. That's how all this started.
Tire plugs have been an acceptable puncture repair long before I was driving.
I'm good with it.
Well done, Sir, and enjoy the feeling.
Honda Accord - Cargo capacity for cinder blocks = 6
He has a Leatherman.
Michelin tires on a regularly maintained vehicle - Good rubber
Didn't use Fix-a-Flat - Good judgement.
NYPD - Probably carries a gun and can put a big hole in my sidewall if I get snarky.
Tire will not explode if the plug fails.
He has TPMS (not to be confused with the other PMS I see occasionally) to warn him if the tire is leaking again. That's how all this started.
Tire plugs have been an acceptable puncture repair long before I was driving.
I'm good with it.
Well done, Sir, and enjoy the feeling.
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