Plug Run Flats?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Plug Run Flats?
What's the concensus of the afficianatos on plugging run flats. I just replaced two rear tires - got a small nail in one of the tires. (also because I wanted to get rid of the runcraps). Went to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
Got to thinking about the issues with plugging ZP tires...
Got to thinking about the issues with plugging ZP tires...
Last edited by Toms02C5; Mar 10, 2010 at 12:34 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
From: Yorktown Va
What's the concensus of the afficianatos on plugging run flats. I just replaced two rear tires - got a small nail in one of the tires. (also because I wanted to get rid of the runcraps). Went to Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus.
Got to thinking about the issues with plugging ZP tires...
Got to thinking about the issues with plugging ZP tires...
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,947
Likes: 24,704
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Runflats can be plugged - I did it to one of the OEM tires on my '99, then did it again on the OEM tires on my '00 as well as two of the replacement Firestone Firehawks I put on the car. As long as the repair is done properly (plug and patch method) and the puncture is not close to the sidewall, you should be OK. You may lose some of the speed rating, but that's better than having to toss a perfectly good tire and buy another one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
Runflats can be plugged - I did it to one of the OEM tires on my '99, then did it again on the OEM tires on my '00 as well as two of the replacement Firestone Firehawks I put on the car. As long as the repair is done properly (plug and patch method) and the puncture is not close to the sidewall, you should be OK. You may lose some of the speed rating, but that's better than having to toss a perfectly good tire and buy another one.
-97C5 15 year tire store mgr
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 671
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
I've had my 2003 for nine years now. Had one tire a faulty one from the factory (leaked around the rim seal) and I had two rear tires hit a sharp metal pieces laying on the road, cut right through and both tires were junked, but it happened at different times. So my front right is the only one I have had since new. but I've only got 13.433 miles on the car, so I assume it doesn't matter. If they had all go to hell at once, I'd of junked all of the original tires, their crap. There's a lot of really much better tires out there and even if I wanted to keep the run-flat capability, with less road noise. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
I personally would NEVER plug a high performance speed rated tire. Plugs are probably OK on the general populace commuter car tires that never see more than 70MPH. You need to remove the tire, inspect the inside to see if any cord or belt damage has occurred, then apply a properly vulcanized patch to the tire. If any belt damage is apparent, or the puncture is too close to the sidewall the tire is a throw away.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Runflats can be plugged - I did it to one of the OEM tires on my '99, then did it again on the OEM tires on my '00 as well as two of the replacement Firestone Firehawks I put on the car. As long as the repair is done properly (plug and patch method) and the puncture is not close to the sidewall, you should be OK. You may lose some of the speed rating...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Thank gentlemen - Good advice -
Think I'll probably keep the Goodyears in case of a catrastrophy - the left rear is actually a pretty good tire - I just had issues with Goodyear and want to get Michelins on - gave me a good excuse.
Might put the good tire on parts forum -
Think I'll probably keep the Goodyears in case of a catrastrophy - the left rear is actually a pretty good tire - I just had issues with Goodyear and want to get Michelins on - gave me a good excuse.
Might put the good tire on parts forum -
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
To do it right it should be plugged to keep moisture from entering the wound and causing the belts to corrode and weaken. Then equally important is a properly sized radial patch from the inside to seal the injury and add strength to the casing. Finally the patch should be coated with a sealer to ensure the integrity of the patch.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,496
Likes: 1,816
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Correct. With emphasis on the "patch plug". There is absolutely no problem with repairing punctures in runflats- providing the puncture is not too large- and not too close to the sidewall. Anyone who tells you otherwise is pulling a fast one on you trying to get a sale.
-97C5 15 year tire store mgr
-97C5 15 year tire store mgr
With the combo patch/plug anyone who tells you otherwise is going for a sale.
