Can runflats be plugged?
Thread Starter
Corvette ***** OG
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,776
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Can runflats be plugged?
A question was asked to me from a member about repairing runflats. If you get a hole in them, can they be plugged? (assuming it was a pluggable hole in a regular tire)
Anyone confirm this for sure?
Thanks in advance.
Mark
Anyone confirm this for sure?
Thanks in advance.
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
they can be pluged the same way a "normal" tire can be pluged ie. within the tread patern not the side wall. However when any tire is pluged it lowers it's speed rating so a Z rated tire, once pluged, is no longer a Z rated tire but something less. How much less? I have no idea but Ive had 2 run fats plug and ran them out without any problem.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 119
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From: Weatherford TX
I believe that Goodyear says they can be repaired by "trained" servicemen.
I had a flat (can a "run flat" go flat?) on the rear of one of the Prowlers a couple of years back. A local independent tire shop patched the hole and I have had not had a problem with it in the last 3,500 miles.
I had a flat (can a "run flat" go flat?) on the rear of one of the Prowlers a couple of years back. A local independent tire shop patched the hole and I have had not had a problem with it in the last 3,500 miles.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I had two screws in the same tire within a week. I only had about 3 thousand miles on the car with the original run flats. I got the first screw , removed the tire, Pluged it externally, put iot back on and got another screw in the same tire a week later, I pluged that the same way and put 40,000 more miles on those tires without an issue. I tried to keep it under 160 after I patched the tire.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Country Boys Can Survive.
plugged tire
I plugged one of my runflats early in the morning on a freezing Kansas turnpike on my way from picking my car up in Dallas. I could hardly feel my hands they were getting so numb, but I've put 7,000 miles on the tire since then with no problems. Doubt that I would take it to a very high speed though, I've been up to over 100 mph on it without any problems.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 436
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From: Spokane WA
I had Les Schwab fix my flat with a patch. They came out to the car, removed the tire, took it to their repair shop while I watched them fix the flat, rebalanced, drove back to the car and installed the flat; $27. Perfect, no problems 8K later.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
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From: Louisville KY
I had a nail in my rear tire. The tire dealer said they do not like to plug tires any more since it can do more damage as they poke the tools into the tread. He dismounted the tire and did an internal patch. That was about 10,000 miles ago and it holds the pressure perfectly. My 2003 now has almost 18,000 on it. I plan to avoid any plugs in the future.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Cape Coral Florida
GM dealer would't plug or patch mine cause the nail was too close to the edge, but I plugged it and it seems fine....tire only had 7000 miles on it...didn't want to replace it. I dont drive over 110 mph.
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From: Mustang OK
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Yes, they can be plugged. Just be sure the repair facility uses the proper repair procedure and you should be able to get many more miles out of the tire. I've had several repaired in the past and they have worked just fine.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Columbia MD
Tire center here in MD told me plugging is no longer used; a vulcanized patch is the only method to use to maintain the tire's integrity. I've had two tires repaired this way with no problems.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by 99 vett babycar
they can be pluged the same way a "normal" tire can be pluged ie. within the tread patern not the side wall. However when any tire is pluged it lowers it's speed rating so a Z rated tire, once pluged, is no longer a Z rated tire but something less. How much less? I have no idea but Ive had 2 run fats plug and ran them out without any problem.
Last edited by Dave68; Jan 19, 2005 at 03:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Palm Bay FL
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
Why would you risk your Vette using a plug? Plugs should only be used as a last resort. And then only to get you to a tire shop. A internal patch is the only way these tires should be fixed.
I have a plug kit and a compresor in the back of my car. But only to get me off the road and to a tire shop.
I have a plug kit and a compresor in the back of my car. But only to get me off the road and to a tire shop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 922
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From: Resume Speed Tennessee
I've had both types: the internal patch and the plug. Both worked fine. There is a new type plug which the dealership tire guy says actually bonds to the tire. He will not use the old type "sticky rope" type plugs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 922
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From: Resume Speed Tennessee
I've had both types: the internal patch and the plug. Both worked fine. There is a new type plug which the dealership tire guy says actually bonds to the tire. He will not use the old type "sticky rope" type plugs.