Tire repair: plugs and patches.

[hardcore302]

Turns out that it was a slow leak due to a nail in the tire. (Thanks to everyone for responding to my other post)

I hear that the best fix is to do both a plug and a patch. Am I right?

Regardless, what are the pros/cons to each method?

Should I ask for both?

 

[stephen9666]

The patch/plug is a single repair.

 

[hardcore302]

Oh, wow! Never seen that before. Lets hope Pace Tire has it.

What if only one is available, what would you say?

 

[yonyon]

Even if a plug/patch isn't available a plug and patch is still the best option. A plug can be inserted and cut off with a razor blade, then a patch applied over top.

It that isn't a option I'd rather a plug than a patch myself. A plug can work itself loose eventually, but a patch can fail to protect steel belts from the elements and allow for structural failure. Either will usually work well enough for a long time.

 

[expat]

Originally Posted By: yonyon

It that isn't a option I'd rather a plug than a patch myself. A plug can work itself loose eventually, but a patch can fail to protect steel belts from the elements and allow for structural failure. Either will usually work well enough for a long time.


Agree.

How much life left in the tire?
I've never had a plug fail, but have never used them if I intent to use the tire much more than a year.

 

[5sfe91]

I plug the hole and use a liquid patch after around the plug

 

[hitmanharleyk]

If want to pay for it to be repaired again, plug it! Patching is the only way to go.

I've had my last two plugs fail, patched them both afterwards and haven't had a problem. The only reason I allowed them to be plugged was I was out of town working and did't have time for them to be patched. Plugging is a lazy man's way of fixing a tire.

 

[mechtech2]

I never had a plug fail.
Honest, and I have been around a while doing repairs.

But if you ask me, a patch/plug is technically best.

 

[tightwad]

The patch/plug pictured above is the gold standard. If you're paying a shop to repair a good tire, don't let them use anything else. The shortcomings of patches and plugs mentioned by different posters above are all valid. Patch doesn't seal the outside and water gets in the steel belts. Plug may not seal the inside and air can get in between the plies and cause a seperation. Often it comes down to the experience of the technician(?) doing the repair.

 

[hardcore302]

The tire is three weeks old. That's why I'm so mad. Thanks for the replies!

 

[bigmike]

I've been there! My wife ran over a large screw about a month after we bought our Accord. It is beyond irritating! I've used patches for several years w/o a problem. As long as they're done right, they work.

 

[hardcore302]

They used the plug/patch. Seems like it should hold.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I never had a plug fail.
Honest, and I have been around a while doing repairs.

But if you ask me, a patch/plug is technically best.



Agreed. I have plugged many tires in the last 30 years and never a single problem.

While the "best" way is to dismount the tire and use a combo plug/patch...I hate waiting so I plug them myself.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302
The tire is three weeks old. That's why I'm so mad. Thanks for the replies!


Yeah. That's just the way it goes. I have a truck that just got a brand new windshield. The FIRST DAY we drove it it got a ding in it!

Patches are fine for normal tires, we use them on our trucks. I would never knowingly allow a plug to be used except in an emergency.

Note that on my personal car I never patch or plug a tire. Too risky, as we frequently go quite fast and do real track days. I burnt patches right out of tires years ago at track days!

 

[Marco Esquandoles]

Tell me about it! I have an 'unrepairable' hole in my bridgestone tires on our new CX-7 with less than 1000/mi on it. $200 for a new tire with Mount+Balance.... cripes.

 

[Rand]

What brand of tire is it some have a road hazard warranty on them for first 2/32 of tread.

 

[Marco Esquandoles]

Bridgestone Dueler HL 400?

 

[moto94536]

well I had a nail on my tire ( near sidewall ).. Walmart don't want to fix it.. I took it chevron. they use patch/plug technique. only take about 5 minutes. $15. It doesn't leak. I am happy with it.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: moto94536
well I had a nail on my tire ( near sidewall ).. Walmart don't want to fix it.. I took it chevron. they use patch/plug technique. only take about 5 minutes. $15. It doesn't leak. I am happy with it.


If it only took 5 minutes, I doubt they used a patch/plug.

To install a patch plug you have to lift the car, take off the wheel and dismount the tire. Then you have to install the patch/plug (which takes more than 5 minutes itself), remount tire, balance and then reinstall the wheel on the car.

If they only spent 5 minutes, they probably just put a plug in the tire. I'm not one of the plug haters, but I will say a patch/plug is better.

 

[Papa Bear]

Originally Posted By: moto94536
It doesn't leak.



yet ...........