Recently got new tires for the C5 and right away I got a machine screw in the left rear tire (Michelin runflats). I took it in and they removed the screw and put a plug in the tire. Since then (it seems), the vette has had a slight vibration at speeds over 30 mph. Have taken it in and had the tires rebalanced twice, the latest time having them road force balanced. The road force took care of 80% of the problem, but still some vibration persists.
I notice the vibration in the seat of my pants and can see it in the rearview mirrors. Now I have noticed that these tires are very sensitive to any and all irregularities in the road surface and I can feel them all. But even on a newly paved, very smooth surface, the mirrors still vibrate, seemingly from side to side. And the other day when I had all the windows up and top on, I could hear the slight beginnings of a pulse in the tire noise. This bothers me, since I do not want cupping or early wear on these expensive tires. Am going to have the vettes' alignment checked again. Just had it aligned when I got the tires two months ago, but am going to have it done again.
Anyway, thinking back, I don't recall any vibration until I got the plug put in the tire, but then again, I can't be sure about that either.

My question is; can a plug in these tires cause a vibration, and if so, can it be fixed?

Thanks.
Railfan

 

Check your air pressure and make sure ther is 30 in each.
I run Sumitoma runflats (Looks like a motocycle tire) and if the pressure is off a RCH in any one of the tired it seems to bump at about 90. When there is 30 in each the problem goes away.
I have two plugs in with no poblem. Just changes the speed rating.

 

I have always been told by people who know tires to never use a plug on a high performance tire. Demounting, patching, remounting and balancing is alot of work, but Kauffman Tire will fix punctures free

 

Sounds as if they may not have repaired and mounted/balanced the tire properly. The proper repair for a speed rated tire requires both a plug and a patch. See links below:

Puncture Repairs

Match Mounting to Enhance Tire and Wheel Uniformity

Mounting and Balancing

Then again, a few tires can be almost impossible to balance and may need to be replaced. Did you purchase or did the new tires come with road hazard insurance?

HTH and good luck with the tire!

 

Tire shops told me it's ok to use a plug for an emergency on a speed rated tire, but dismount and patch whenever possible. Many shops will not repair a tire that's previously had patches.

 

I've done at least 10 plug patches the last 70,000 miles (3 different sets of runflat tires). Never had a problem with any of them, and no - they did not seem to cause any vibrations.

 

I have since talked to various people in the know (besides those of you on this forum) and from what I have learned, I feel less confident that the person who took care of me and my punctured tire knew what he was doing. Will take it to another tire dealership and have them road force the front tires before taking it to the chevy dealer for a re-alignment.

 

I've had 3 tires on my C5s plugged and patched and have not had any unusualy vibration as a result. Hope you can find the source of the vibration soon.

 

Fellow member GrayC5 has also provided you several important and informative links!

 

The plug shouldnt cause a big change in vibration if the wheel has been properly balanced. Wheel alignments do not cause vibrations, but, of course will affect tire wear if out. You might try a different place, or make sure you get a competent technician w/ a balancer that has been properly calibrated!

 

Thanks to all for the advice. I always appreciate all the input. It is why I come here for help, there are so many knowledgable people on this forum.
Also, thanks to GrayC5 for the links.
Since getting this car, I have learned so much (and have so much yet to learn).
Hopefully, this problem will be resolved this next week.

Railfan