I went to my tire shop today about a slow leak. I went down the street to the hardware store for a minute; came back to find that they had found a nail in the tire and had plugged it. I asked if it was patched, too, and they said, no. They use a plug that mushrooms on the inside, so that a patch is not needed. I asked if they had balanced the tire, and they said, no, that it wasn't necessary. I'm not sure I would have had things done this way had they asked me. Is what they did acceptable? They say the plug should be good for the life of the tire. The charge was $15.
Plugged Tire
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The mushroom plugs are superior to the rope style ones, don't think anyone uses the inside patches anymore-as long as the tire wasn't damaged & the hole was in the tread area, you should be fine.
I've plugged tires on my car before and it is a similar way that they plugged you tire (rope vs mushroom). It should hold just fine but for future reference you can get a tire repair kit for less than what they charged you.
Tire Repair Kit Amazon.com
Here is one I found with a quick look on amazon. The big thing I see most tire places / garages not do is skip using rubber cement. I always use it and wait about 30 minutes before pumping up the tire because I want to let it dry. Most repair shops want you in and out fast so that is why I don't see them do it.
-Cheers
Tire Repair Kit Amazon.com
Here is one I found with a quick look on amazon. The big thing I see most tire places / garages not do is skip using rubber cement. I always use it and wait about 30 minutes before pumping up the tire because I want to let it dry. Most repair shops want you in and out fast so that is why I don't see them do it.
-Cheers
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Technically, no its not the best way to do it, but I have seen a lot of places do exactly what you said.
I have seen plugs like that hold for the life of the tire also.
The best way is to remove the tire, then patch it from the inside, and remount and balance the tire.
They didn't balance the tire, because they didn't even dismount it.
I wouldn't worry too much about it..
I have seen plugs like that hold for the life of the tire also.
The best way is to remove the tire, then patch it from the inside, and remount and balance the tire.
They didn't balance the tire, because they didn't even dismount it.
I wouldn't worry too much about it..
Discount Tire (afaik Wally too) always repairs a tire using plug-patch on the inside of the tire. That is, if it's in a repairable part of the tire.
That said, before I found DT I repaired many tires with the DIY string type plug as shown above from Amazon, with no issues. I would assume the mushroom plug would be as good or better, but I have no experience with them.
But, the best/most reliable repair is done by dismounting the tire and patching on the inside.
That said, before I found DT I repaired many tires with the DIY string type plug as shown above from Amazon, with no issues. I would assume the mushroom plug would be as good or better, but I have no experience with them.
But, the best/most reliable repair is done by dismounting the tire and patching on the inside.
I've plugged tires too many times to count since I started driving (33 years). I don't recall any time a properly placed plug failed or caused any problems. I've never patched from the inside, although I can see where it might be better.
Vic
Vic
I had 2 nails in my tire last month, Firestone patched it from the inside. They allowed me to stand by and watch and Bee-Ess with the tire tech guy... he said that patches are better and that the push is to switch to patches.
I assumed they'd be plugging the tire, but he said they hadnt used plugs in a while.
I assumed they'd be plugging the tire, but he said they hadnt used plugs in a while.
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inside patch is technically the best way. Walmart does it for $5 and its worth it. That being said, I have done a bunch of rope plugs that have lasted the life of the tire without any leaks.
inside patch is the only lifetime repair worth trusting. Even then there is some skill involved.
Our favorite local tire store does this FREE for regular clients.
Our favorite local tire store does this FREE for regular clients.
I never had a plug fail, even had one done on a sidewall. keep in mind that the tire shops are there to sell tires and in addition, patches cost much more to do then plugs, generate more revenue
It's best to use the patch+plug method.
The patch method requires more skill and takes much more time to do properly than any of the plugs. The technician needs to be carefull not to damage the inner liner of the tire with the grinder when preparing the surface to accept the adhesive where the patch will be placed. I can't imagine you would get a very good patch job for only $5!
While the patch is the best way to seal the leak, the hole that was made through the tread and belt package should be sealed up to prevent moisture from attacking the steel belts that were compromised and exposed by the nail/object.
The patch method requires more skill and takes much more time to do properly than any of the plugs. The technician needs to be carefull not to damage the inner liner of the tire with the grinder when preparing the surface to accept the adhesive where the patch will be placed. I can't imagine you would get a very good patch job for only $5!
While the patch is the best way to seal the leak, the hole that was made through the tread and belt package should be sealed up to prevent moisture from attacking the steel belts that were compromised and exposed by the nail/object.
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Originally Posted By: Spector
I never had a plug fail, even had one done on a sidewall. keep in mind that the tire shops are there to sell tires and in addition, patches cost much more to do then plugs, generate more revenue
Discount Tire has dismounted, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced even OEM tires for me with absolutely no charge to me.
The way I understand it, rope and mushroom plugs can wick moisture into the carcass and tread of the tire and rust the ply layers....Don't know if thats true, but DT does it the right way with a patch and doesnt charge for it...so the profit motive doesnt exist at least in their case.
I never had a plug fail, even had one done on a sidewall. keep in mind that the tire shops are there to sell tires and in addition, patches cost much more to do then plugs, generate more revenue
Discount Tire has dismounted, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced even OEM tires for me with absolutely no charge to me.
The way I understand it, rope and mushroom plugs can wick moisture into the carcass and tread of the tire and rust the ply layers....Don't know if thats true, but DT does it the right way with a patch and doesnt charge for it...so the profit motive doesnt exist at least in their case.
So putting a patch inside the tire and nothing in the hole from the outside will keep water/moisture out of the belt area/carcass?
I'm missing something here!
I'm missing something here!
In my local DT's case, they do a patch as well as a plug.
As I said they removed the tire, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced at least three tires that I can recall...never a charge for any of them. The last one was on OEM tire.
As I said they removed the tire, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced at least three tires that I can recall...never a charge for any of them. The last one was on OEM tire.
OK, missed the part about plugging the hole. Thanks for the clarification.
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In my local DT's case, they do a patch as well as a plug.
As I said they removed the tire, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced at least three tires that I can recall...never a charge for any of them. The last one was on OEM tire.
Yes it would be similar to the middle repair. The fact that DT does this (including balance) gratis for non purchases is really amazing, IMO. OTOH, it's good business for first choice consideration on next tire purchase.
As for balance, afaik if the tire is removed from the wheel it should be re-balanced.
In my local DT's case, they do a patch as well as a plug.
As I said they removed the tire, patched and plugged, remounted and balanced at least three tires that I can recall...never a charge for any of them. The last one was on OEM tire.
Yes it would be similar to the middle repair. The fact that DT does this (including balance) gratis for non purchases is really amazing, IMO. OTOH, it's good business for first choice consideration on next tire purchase.
As for balance, afaik if the tire is removed from the wheel it should be re-balanced.
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