Tire Plugs continued
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock Co
Tire Plugs continued
I had posted earlier about the dangers of using plugs to repair tires. This is the email I got from a friend who works for the Gov't in the Fleet div and deals with tires.
/QUOTE NHTSA is in the process of outlawing the "plug". one guy on there hit the nail on the head... but somebody questioned him... that fact is: water can travel between the inner liner and belt package..carrying moisture from the chamber ... over time..rust will form and eat away at the belt package........and air will "charge" the entire casing. many a court case where someone has sued the tire manuf. for a "faulty tire that resulted in a traffic fatality" was linked back to a belt seperation that was caused by a plug repair.
/quote
I don't know about you all, but I don't want a blowout, so I don't use plugs.
Also a z-rated tire loses its rating when you patch it, even internally.
[Modified by Heretic, 6:51 AM 3/9/2004]
/QUOTE NHTSA is in the process of outlawing the "plug". one guy on there hit the nail on the head... but somebody questioned him... that fact is: water can travel between the inner liner and belt package..carrying moisture from the chamber ... over time..rust will form and eat away at the belt package........and air will "charge" the entire casing. many a court case where someone has sued the tire manuf. for a "faulty tire that resulted in a traffic fatality" was linked back to a belt seperation that was caused by a plug repair.
/quote
I don't know about you all, but I don't want a blowout, so I don't use plugs.
Also a z-rated tire loses its rating when you patch it, even internally.
[Modified by Heretic, 6:51 AM 3/9/2004]
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
Re: Tire Plugs continued (Heretic)
So what are you supposed to do? Replace the tire?
Personally, if I get a flat on the road, I will plug it, then when I get a chance - get it patched from the inside by a tire shop.
What's the difference if you plug it or not? There's still a hole in the tire that water can get into. The plug partially blocks it at least.
Dope
Personally, if I get a flat on the road, I will plug it, then when I get a chance - get it patched from the inside by a tire shop.
What's the difference if you plug it or not? There's still a hole in the tire that water can get into. The plug partially blocks it at least.
Dope
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock Co
Re: Tire Plugs continued (Dope)
Don't shoot the messenger.
I was just letting folks know that this is dangerous, esp on z rated tires.
If I was in a situation where I had to patch a tire that way, ie an emergency, I would buy a new tire when I got home. I have had my vette up to 120mph, a blow out at that speed would probably be fatal.
I was just letting folks know that this is dangerous, esp on z rated tires.
If I was in a situation where I had to patch a tire that way, ie an emergency, I would buy a new tire when I got home. I have had my vette up to 120mph, a blow out at that speed would probably be fatal.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Re: Tire Plugs continued (Heretic)
Good points, but there are different kinds of plugs. The one used on my Michelin had a large flat round bottom and a long center-mounted, smaller to larger diameter rubber plug that, along with the round bottom, is coated with sealant. After the hole is prepped, this plug is inserted from inside the tire, through the hole, and pulled tight. As it has a larger diameter core near the bottom, it fits very tight, and as mentioned, has sealant besides. I believe this methodolgy, performed by a trained individual, is tried and proven or reputable tire manufacturers would not endorse it. In addition, though extremely dangerous, blowouts with runflats are not the same as a normal tire. You have an extremly stiff sidewall to help you out hauling it down. Just MHO.
Ed
Ed
