Looks like I picked up a nail or something and I'm losing about 5lbs of air pressure daily. Any recommendations on national chains to take it to for repairs, and how much should I pay ? Thanks in advance. :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya :seeya

 

As surprising as it may seem I have always gotten good service and resonable pricing at Discount Tire. They did not like the Run-flats as they were much harder to unmount from the wheels.

 

Well, the going rate is about $40 dollars. Runflats are extremely difficult to unmount/remount. You can only repair them from the inside with a patch. Plugs will not work. Rubber is too tough and the plug will not hold up. Make sure you take it to someone who sells Runflats and has the latest tire machine technology to support runflat times and mag wheels. Discount Tire, Tire Kingdom and Goodyear are the only ones I am aware of at this point.

Good Luck

 

Whomever you choose, make sure they can lift your car correctly. I had a nail in my new rear run flat and took it to the Goodyear place (they do it free if there is less than 20% wear). They rolled it up on an in-ground lift and if I had not been watching, they were going to push in the arms to try to lift it. Since my car is lowered, they would have had to grunt to get the pads under the car and, of course, had no lifting pucks. I said no and took the car home, took off the wheel and returned it for the repair.

 

I had 2 nails in my old GY runflats, and had them both repaired at different Discount Tires in different cities. They used a manual jack and plastic lifting puck. They also know how much to torque the nuts back on. And last but not least, it is free. I watched them the whole time, and I tipped the guys that did it $20.

 

My 1st rule is if they dont sell and mount the tire for a living go elsewhere.I have never gone wrong at a discount Tire store.Watch your wheel and look it over with the person who writes your ticket to make sure you both know the wheel is factory fresh and no Knicks etc.... If they mar it they will buy you a new one and then offer them 50.00 for the old wheel and you have a knicked wheel that may be repairable,either way its handy to have an extra,I'm not trying to be DR.Doom but when you ship a couple thousand wheel tire combos a year you learn to be careful or you owe a Customer a new wheel NO QUESTIONS asked we put in our garage sale with picture of the marring and look for offers.
Watch your wheels and say your Prayers.Dave S.
PS,Once patched you will loose your speed rating so please be careful.Dave

 

Same thing just happened to me. Picked up a shipping staple, pulled it out and spritzed on some Windex, I too have a leak. I just went through the pain of changing out wheels (Extreme's Chrome Z06 GP) and the shop that did took over 4 hours as they were as **** as I was. They are closed since today is a hoilday. I bought a plug kit but decided not to use it. I'll just let the sit overnight and take it in to a GY dealer in the morning. Guess I'll find out about the 20% tread rule too. I have 5/32's left on my tires so if I can get GY to do free why not. And since my wheels are PERFECT and I just couldn't go through the pain of some yahoo screwing up my wheel.

Good luck with yours.

Tom
USAF Retired

 

I have had mine fixed for free at local Firestone dealer( I have the Firestones, obviously)...and yes you lose the speed rating :( ...they patched mine and ordered a new front tire for me...I paid $100 after pro rating...included mounting, etc. :)

 

There are many Discount Tire Shops along I-5 in your area and they would be my choice for a proper repair. They will repair your tire FREE. :yesnod:


[Modified by mozin, 9:52 PM 5/30/2002]

 

HOw much do you lose the speed rating by ??? is this the same for fronts and rears :confused:

 

I don't think one proper repair voids the speed rating. If I recall correctly the Goodyear Co. allowed two repairs, but I could be mistaken.

 

plug them. The carcass is 3/4 " thick :cheers:

 

As a former Goodyear Tire dealership owner I'll chime in and respectfully disagree with Mr. Whooppee. Don't plug it - patch it properly from the inside. Plugs tend to leak (plus they have to enlarge the hole to insert the plug) and definitely aren't recommended by Goodyear.

One properly done inside patch does not reduce the speed rating.

For the service, I recommend Goodyear, Discount Tire or NTW. In any case watch them for proper vehicle handling. I prefer to go the safe route and take the tire in loose!

 

thanks :seeya

 

Once and for all here's the REAL story. I wouldn't risk my life or others to save a few bucks.

I am posting this for everyone to see what Goodyear says about fixing flats in their EMT tires.
Product Service Bulletin
Important Information To Better Service Your Customers

Post For Ready Reference

PSB #98-11

August 27, 1998

TO: Goodyear Company Owned Outlets
Goodyear Contract Dealers

SUBJECT: Puncture Repairing and Retreading of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires (Includes Extended Mobility Tires)

With the ever increasing popularity of Goodyear Speed-Rated tires, it is important for you and your customers to know how repairing and retreading will affect the speed rating.

Accordingly, the following information will enable you to discuss these important subjects with your customers.

I. SUMMARY STATEMENT

A. REPAIR

A Goodyear speed-rated tire may be repaired to correct a commonly repairable nail hole puncture in the tread area only, but proper materials and procedures must be applied. INCORRECT OR IMPROPER REPAIR WILL RESULT IN THE TIRE NO LONGER BEING SPEED-RATED BY GOODYEAR, and the Goodyear warranty may also be affected.

B. RETREADING

If a Goodyear speed-rated tire is retreaded, it no longer is speed rated by Goodyear.

II. DETAILED POLICY - Puncture Repair of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires

A. The puncture must be confined to the tread area only. (See
"Repair Area", item III-B).

B. Restrictions on the number and size of repairs must be followed.
(See "Puncture Repair Limits" table, item III-C).

C. A detailed repair procedure must be followed.
(See "Repair Procedure", item III-E).


D. A Goodyear speed-rated new tire repaired in strict accordance with items II-A, B & C, will retain its speed rating.

III. REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SPEED-RATED TIRES

A. GENERAL

The objective of the puncture repair is to seal the tire against loss of inflation pressure and to prevent damage to the carcass from moisture. In all puncture repairs approved by Goodyear, the hole must be filled with a plug, and a patch covering the hole must be applied according to repair material manufacturer instructions to the inside of the tire. Never repair tires which are worn below 2/32" tread depth.

NOTE: No tire is to be repaired without first being
removed from the rim.

B. REPAIR AREA

Repairing is limited to the tread area only within the outside grooves. No repairs are allowed in the tread area beyond the outside grooves or sidewall.

C. PUNCTURE REPAIR LIMITS


TIRE SPEED
(SPEED SYMBOL)
MAX. NUMBER
REPAIRS
MAX. REPAIR
DIAMETER

130 mph and over
(H, V, Z)
1
1/4 in. (6mm)

Tires marked with an S, T, or U speed rating, and tires with no speed ratings may be repaired in accordance with the RMA "Puncture Repair Procedures for Automobile Tires" wall chart or Product Service Bulletin 98-12 dated August 28, 1998.


D. MATERIALS

1. Precured rubber plugs - 1/4" (6mm) diameter
2. Precured patches
3. Precured plug/patch combi-units
4. Chemical vulcanizing cement
5. Pre-buff cleaner

E. REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. CAREFULLY REMOVE THE TIRE COMPLETELY FROM THE RIM.

2. Locate the puncture on the inside of the tire and circle with crayon.

3. Remove puncturing object if it is still in the tire.

4. Carefully inspect tire on a good tire spreader, with ample light, which will
show any cracks, breaks, punctures, damaged or broken beads.

5. Check liner for cuts, cracks, or holes which may cause the tubeless liner to
lose air.

6. Check the injury with an inspection awl:

a. Determine size and angle of injury
b. Check for ply or belt separation

7. Reject any tire that has separation, loose cords, damaged bead(s), or any
other non-repairable injury.

8. If the hole is simple and round, steps 9 through 17 of the puncture repair
procedure will be successful.

NOTE: If the hole shows evidence of fabric splitting, such an injury cannot be properly repaired using this puncture repair procedure. Such an injury must be skived out and repaired as a section (reinforced) repair, which will maintain the serviceability of the tire, but will invalidate the tire's speed rating. If a section repair is necessary, the customer must be advised, before the repair is made, that the tire will lose its speed rating, and must not exceed operation at normal highway speeds.

9. Use a pre-buff cleaner and a scraper to remove contaminants from the liner in the area to be buffed around the injury.

10. Use a 7/32"carbide cutter for ¼" repairs to clean out the
puncture.

a. Make sure that the drill follows the direction of the
puncturing object.

b. Always drill from inside to outside of tire.

11. Using chemical vulcanizing cement, lightly coat at least 1/2 of the tapered end of the repair plug. Install the plug in the prepared puncture according to the manufacturer's instructions. Trim the liner side of the plug slightly higher than the surface of the liner without stretching the plug.

12. Center the patch (or patch template) over the injury without removing the
backing. Adhere to patch or template instructions, as to positioning as related to bead location. Mark around the outside edge of the patch, approximately 1/4" larger than the patch.

13. Buff the liner and plug at the puncture location. The buffed area should be slightly larger than the patch. The buffed surface should be finely grained (RMA 1 or 2 texture) and even for proper bonding. Use care to prevent burning the rubber with the buffing tool. Do not buff through the liner. Do not buff into the marking crayon.

14. Clean the buffing dust from the tire using only a vacuum or brush. Do not
use gasoline or other petroleum solvents on the buffed area.

15. Coat the buffed liner surface and the patch with one evenly applied coat of
chemical vulcanizing cement in accordance with the recommendations of the repair materials manufacturer. Allow the cement to dry thoroughly. Do not touch the cemented areas.

16. Install the patch with the beads of the tire in the relaxed position. Position
the patch over the puncture according to the markings on the patch.
Stitch the entire patch starting from the center, keeping the strokes close together to avoid trapping air under the patch.

17. Cut off the protruding end of the plug about 1/8" above the tread surface.

18. FINAL INSPECTION - The repair must seal the inner liner and fill the
injury. After remounting and inflating check the repair, both beads and
valve with a soap solution to assure a complete seal.

Tom
USAF Retired