Question about tire plug.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Question about tire plug.
Recently had my brand new Michelin Zero Pressure tires pick up a machine screw (tires were three days old). Dealer took the screw out and put in a plug. Since then, it seems that the car has a slight vibration at any speed over 35 mph (at least I don't recall having that before the plug). I have had the tires road force balanced, and that took care of 80% of the problem, but not all of it. Even on perfectly smooth, newly paved roads, the mirror inside the car still seems to vibrate from side to side. And the other day, I had to ride in the vette with the windows up and roof on, and I could hear the beginnings of a pulse in the sound of a tire, and this bothers me. I do not want cupping or uneven wear to ruin these expensive tires.
I am taking the vette (99 coupe) into the dealership and have them align the car once again (had it done two months ago when I first got the tires).
My question; can a tire plug cause this vibration in these low profile tires, and if so, can anything else be done to fix it other than what I am doing?
Thanks.
Railfan
I am taking the vette (99 coupe) into the dealership and have them align the car once again (had it done two months ago when I first got the tires).
My question; can a tire plug cause this vibration in these low profile tires, and if so, can anything else be done to fix it other than what I am doing?
Thanks.
Railfan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Originally Posted by Railfan
...My question; can a tire plug cause this vibration in these low profile tires, and if so, can anything else be done to fix it other than what I am doing?
Thanks.
Railfan
Thanks.
Railfan
It would take one heck of a plug (and or a terribly incompetent technician) to cause the type of problem you're describing. However you certainly could take the tire and have the "plug" removed and a new one installed. Preferably one like this...
Good luck... GUSTO
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,910
Likes: 1,859
From: Hot Springs AR
Originally Posted by GUSTO14
It is possible, ... but not probable...
Cars have had tires plugged for decades, and if anything our new tires are much more robust than even 10 years ago.A couple of questions: how low did the tire pressure get, how far did you run the tire at that pressure, and how fast were you going during that time?
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by tiojames
A plug by itself is not the best way to fix the tire. Have a competent tire person pull the tire and put a small boot in it, That gets rid of the plug and then have the tire rebalanced.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 2
From: Elgin Il
I'm guessing these are Z rated tires, which are not supposed to be patched with a plug.
The tire must be removed, and a patch put on the inside along with a plug to keep the Z rating.
I bet he didnt properly balance the tire.
Happens to me all the time.
The tire must be removed, and a patch put on the inside along with a plug to keep the Z rating.
I bet he didnt properly balance the tire.
Happens to me all the time.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
Originally Posted by Clay_Assassin
I'm guessing these are Z rated tires, which are not supposed to be patched with a plug.
The tire must be removed, and a patch put on the inside along with a plug to keep the Z rating.
I bet he didnt properly balance the tire.
Happens to me all the time.
The tire must be removed, and a patch put on the inside along with a plug to keep the Z rating.
I bet he didnt properly balance the tire.
Happens to me all the time.
Had the tire with the plug Road Force balanced, and the tech was able to neutralize any effect of the plug (hopefully). Only did the rear two tires and so far, that took care of 80% of the problem. Will take the car back and do the front two tires before resorting to another alignment. Hopefully, all vibrations (other than normal road vibrations) will be taken care of.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Traverse City Michigan
I would like to thank all who took the time to answer. I appreciate all the knowledgable advice. It is why I come to this forum. Hopefully, someday I might have learned enough that I can repay and help someone else.
As to my problem, hopefully by the end of next week, I will have resolved everything, one way or the other.
Thanks again.
Railfan
As to my problem, hopefully by the end of next week, I will have resolved everything, one way or the other.
Thanks again.
Railfan
