Screw in tire - Plug or Replace
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
From: Miami FL
Screw in tire - Plug or Replace
My Kumho Ecsta front right has a big ole' screw in it. Came out this morning after not driving it all weekend and the low tire/flat light lit up. I checked air pressure all around and this one had 20 psi, so it is a slow leak. That is when I looked all around the tire and saw the screw.
I don't like the idea of having a plug, especially on a front tire. The Kumho's have less than 10k on them. I guess it would be a good time to go ahead and get new rims as well. ARGGH!!!
Any plug fans out there?
Does any one know of tire shops to absolutely avoid or any to recommend in Miami - it would be appreciated (unless I buy online). When I purchased my C4 the wheels were on the wrong spots (bigger rear wheel was mounted on front!
).
I don't like the idea of having a plug, especially on a front tire. The Kumho's have less than 10k on them. I guess it would be a good time to go ahead and get new rims as well. ARGGH!!!
Any plug fans out there?Does any one know of tire shops to absolutely avoid or any to recommend in Miami - it would be appreciated (unless I buy online). When I purchased my C4 the wheels were on the wrong spots (bigger rear wheel was mounted on front!
).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I would never trust a plugged tire. It should be dismounted patched and plugged. As long as the penetration is small and more than 1/2" inboard of the sidewall it is repairable and good to run on at any normal (or abnormal) highway speeds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I had a screw hole plugged from the outside on my Grand Cherokee last year. Never had a bit of trouble with it. If it's in the tread portion you should be fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by BADDUCK
I had a screw hole plugged from the outside on my Grand Cherokee last year. Never had a bit of trouble with it. If it's in the tread portion you should be fine.
Do you have low aspect ratio, high performance tires on the Grand Cherokee and occassionally more than slightly exceed the speed limit?
Meaning not all tires are equal in either construction or application.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,531
Likes: 35
From: Lecanto Florida
I had a couple of plugs on my old tires. The shop I used said the plugs they use are for high speed low profile tires. Were they lying 
They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by aminnich
I would never trust a plugged tire. It should be dismounted patched and plugged. As long as the penetration is small and more than 1/2" inboard of the sidewall it is repairable and good to run on at any normal (or abnormal) highway speeds.
Then, there's the also old but newer style of get some thick, gooey "thread", put it through a huge "needle" and stick it in the hole from the outside of the tire. Not always very safe, sure, or certain. The only certainty, imo, is DON'T. Don't use it, unless to get you home a very short distance.
Finally, there's the "new", which is a plug and patch all in one. It works, it's very good and I'd recommend it, again with only some exceptions.
Hopefully, your/a 10K mile tire isn't used up. To be ultra-safe, replace the tire (in axle sets), however, this can get to be ultra-expensive.
At anything less than all out driving and/or high speed (illegal) street driving, if the hole is relatively "mild" and relatively well-placed (there is really no such thing as a well placed extra hole in your tire, I understand), I'd go with the third type of repair.
And, will you stop getting "screw-ed"!!!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Originally Posted by aminnich
Do you have low aspect ratio, high performance tires on the Grand Cherokee and occassionally more than slightly exceed the speed limit?
Meaning not all tires are equal in either construction or application.
Meaning not all tires are equal in either construction or application.
Last edited by BADDUCK; Aug 22, 2006 at 07:10 PM.
CF JASOC Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,040
Likes: 34
From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I had a couple of plugs on my old tires. The shop I used said the plugs they use are for high speed low profile tires. Were they lying They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Comes down to what you're doing with the car. If you're running high speed and autocrossing, replace both tires on that axle.
If it's used for cruising, normal highway trips, and commuting, patch or plug it and you'll be fine.
We plug the tires on the rent cars (assuming the damage is in the middle of the tread, not near the sidewalls) and have never to my knowledge had a plug related tire failure. And these cars get beat on.
If it's used for cruising, normal highway trips, and commuting, patch or plug it and you'll be fine.
We plug the tires on the rent cars (assuming the damage is in the middle of the tread, not near the sidewalls) and have never to my knowledge had a plug related tire failure. And these cars get beat on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 281
From: Tulsa OK
Originally Posted by Frizlefrak
Comes down to what you're doing with the car. If you're running high speed and autocrossing, replace both tires on that axle.
If it's used for cruising, normal highway trips, and commuting, patch or plug it and you'll be fine.
If it's used for cruising, normal highway trips, and commuting, patch or plug it and you'll be fine.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 357
Likes: 1
From: Miami FL
Thanks to all.
The screw is in the tread area about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the side.
I use the tire to get up to the speed limit quickly but occasionally lose situational awareness and have been shocked to find myself in triple digits.
The tires are definitely still in good shape so I will look at a patch and refrain from higher speeds until I replace.
The screw is in the tread area about 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the side.
I use the tire to get up to the speed limit quickly but occasionally lose situational awareness and have been shocked to find myself in triple digits.
The tires are definitely still in good shape so I will look at a patch and refrain from higher speeds until I replace.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 2
From: Surprise Arizona
I remember reading somewhere, maybe on the Goodyear website?? Repairing a speed rated tire was not recomended. With that said call a few reputable tire stores in your area and see what they say.
As for plugs, I have never had one come out, ever. Been driving for 35 years. My pickup has four plugs in the right rear tire. Been in there for two years. (ran over the same nail twice
) That tire stays on the rear just in case.
If I was in your situation I would go for the patch/plug as long as the hole is in the tread.
As for plugs, I have never had one come out, ever. Been driving for 35 years. My pickup has four plugs in the right rear tire. Been in there for two years. (ran over the same nail twice
) That tire stays on the rear just in case. If I was in your situation I would go for the patch/plug as long as the hole is in the tread.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,198
Likes: 10
From: Homestead Fl
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
They have a patch plug combo. The inside patch has a little tip that's pulled through the hole. I don't trust plugs but I trust an inside patch because it adheres to the inside wall of the tire. Check out your local major tire chain and see what they've got. Just did a patch at Firestone about a month ago. It held just fine. That basicly means
Last edited by Tommy T-Bone; Aug 22, 2006 at 09:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Originally Posted by CREWZIN
I had a couple of plugs on my old tires. The shop I used said the plugs they use are for high speed low profile tires. Were they lying They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
They took the tire off the wheel and sanded down the spot where the hole was. Put fast drying glue on the hole. Then they took a plug with a two inch diameter flat end and pushed it throgh the hole till the flat end matted down into the glue. The plug filled the hole and the flat end sealed the inside of the tire. Never had a problem with that kind of plug at any speed.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
I had a screw in the middle of the tire and had the uniseal patch type done. The installer said they do that all the time for racers. The owner of the shop said they don't have insurance to fix race car tires so don't use it at the track. Over in autocrossing and road racing I did a search and people said they used that type of patch racing. So I have to, fine to 130+ MPH so far. 