Everyone Refuses To Patch Run-Flat
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Everyone Refuses To Patch Run-Flat
I was on my way to the dealership to get some things serviced when I got a nail in the right rear. The dealership said that they could fix it, however, a piece on their tire machine was broken and they were waiting for the part to be delivered, which wouldn't come in for another week. So they referred me to a local tire dealer.
I went there and told them I had a nail in my run-flats and wanted to know if they would patch it. They didn't even look at it and told me "No, it couldn't be patched". So I asked them to quote me a price on a replacement tire. They came back with $550 intalled! I said "no, thanks" and left.
I came home and searched to forum to make sure that it could be patched. Several members said that they have had theirs patched before, from an authorized dealer.
I looked up the local authorized dealer and took it to them. They didn't even bother looking at it and informed me that they could not patch it either. So I asked them to quote me a price for a replacment and they said $320 installed.
Needless to say, that I went with it and now have one new tire on the right rear. After comparing it to the left rear tire, I can notice a considerable difference between the two treads. Now, I find myself ordering another tire for the left rear. I will just keep the one on there now as a spare in my shed.
One nail has now cost me two brand new tires. I'm just agravated by the whole situation. Anyone else have any problems with tire places refusing to patch the run-flats?
I went there and told them I had a nail in my run-flats and wanted to know if they would patch it. They didn't even look at it and told me "No, it couldn't be patched". So I asked them to quote me a price on a replacement tire. They came back with $550 intalled! I said "no, thanks" and left.
I came home and searched to forum to make sure that it could be patched. Several members said that they have had theirs patched before, from an authorized dealer.
I looked up the local authorized dealer and took it to them. They didn't even bother looking at it and informed me that they could not patch it either. So I asked them to quote me a price for a replacment and they said $320 installed.
Needless to say, that I went with it and now have one new tire on the right rear. After comparing it to the left rear tire, I can notice a considerable difference between the two treads. Now, I find myself ordering another tire for the left rear. I will just keep the one on there now as a spare in my shed.
One nail has now cost me two brand new tires. I'm just agravated by the whole situation. Anyone else have any problems with tire places refusing to patch the run-flats?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 14
From: Playa Vista CA
Actually you need to call Goodyear. These tires come with road hazzard. Free replacement for first year then if older it is prorated based on tread depth. The problem is that almost no authorized dealers know about this and don't offer it. You must contact goodyear first get the ball rolling then have the GY Authorized tire shop contact them with age of tires and tread depth and they'll get a confirmation and a buy back amount.
Joe
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 37
From: Laurel Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
A Goodyear Run flat dealer patched one for me, cost nothing. Mine was in the center of the tread, you didn't say where yours was--
eddie
eddie
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: NOVA VA
GY runflats CAN be patched unless a) there is a massive gash or b) the puncture is on or within some small radius of the edge of the tire (that part that is not quite tread and not quite sidewall).
You can call GY to verify this.
Patches that CAN be fixed are warrantied for the life of the tire down to 2/32" of tread left.
If the tire is unable to be patched according to GY's written standards, then the tire is to be REPLACED as per GY warranty, which is free replacement for the first 2/32" of tread used and prorated thereafter down to 4/32" of tread left.
This is ALL written in your GY warranty pamphlet that came with the car (at least it came with mine) OR can be obtained by called GY's customer service themselves.
All of that being said, it has been my experience that the GY authorized dealers are the most UNINFORMED people in regard to their own warranty and most that i have encountered have refused to honor the warranty even in the face of the warranty pamphlet.
Both issues that I had with my OEM set of GY's had to be resolved by getting Goodyear Customer Service involved and having THEM explain to the tire dealer how to deal with the warranty. (One place I tried to deal with STILL refused to listen to even GY's own customer service people)
One place was even selling road hazard warranties on GY runflats that ALREADY come with this warranty.......... a fact that I pointed out very vocally to them with lots of interested customers standing around.
To that end, I replaced my GY's with Firestone Wide Ovals. I refuse to do business with a company with such practices.
If you paid out of pocket for this replacement, then I would advise you to contact Goodyear Customer Service as you should be due some reimbursement (providing that the tire was not down to 4/32" of tread left). If the tire could have/should have been simply patched, then the tire center might have some 'splaining to do to GY as to why they didnt.
Hope this helps.
You can call GY to verify this.
Patches that CAN be fixed are warrantied for the life of the tire down to 2/32" of tread left.
If the tire is unable to be patched according to GY's written standards, then the tire is to be REPLACED as per GY warranty, which is free replacement for the first 2/32" of tread used and prorated thereafter down to 4/32" of tread left.
This is ALL written in your GY warranty pamphlet that came with the car (at least it came with mine) OR can be obtained by called GY's customer service themselves.
All of that being said, it has been my experience that the GY authorized dealers are the most UNINFORMED people in regard to their own warranty and most that i have encountered have refused to honor the warranty even in the face of the warranty pamphlet.
Both issues that I had with my OEM set of GY's had to be resolved by getting Goodyear Customer Service involved and having THEM explain to the tire dealer how to deal with the warranty. (One place I tried to deal with STILL refused to listen to even GY's own customer service people)
One place was even selling road hazard warranties on GY runflats that ALREADY come with this warranty.......... a fact that I pointed out very vocally to them with lots of interested customers standing around.
To that end, I replaced my GY's with Firestone Wide Ovals. I refuse to do business with a company with such practices.
If you paid out of pocket for this replacement, then I would advise you to contact Goodyear Customer Service as you should be due some reimbursement (providing that the tire was not down to 4/32" of tread left). If the tire could have/should have been simply patched, then the tire center might have some 'splaining to do to GY as to why they didnt.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by lytmup; Sep 21, 2007 at 03:57 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
Depending on WHERE the nail entered the tire, it could be that it was not repairable.
Applicable Goodyear warranty and repair info:
Applicable Goodyear warranty and repair info:
Goodyear Run Flat Road Hazard Warranty
WHAT IS COVERED AND FOR HOW LONG?
1. FREE REPLACEMENT
Any new Goodyear Run-Flat EMT tire removed from service
due to a covered warranty condition or rendered not
repairable due to a road hazard injury during the first 2/32"
treadwear or 12 months from date of purchase, whichever
occurs first, will be replaced at no charge. Mounting and
balancing are included. Repairable punctures will also be
repaired at no charge during this period. Without proof of
purchase, date of manufacture will be used to determine age.
2. PRORATED ADJUSTMENT
A tire not eligible for no-charge replacement that is
removed from service due to a covered warranty condition
or rendered not repairable due to a road hazard injury will
be replaced on a prorated basis.
HOW WILL PRORATED CHARGES
BE CALCULATED?
Replacement price will be calculated by multiplying the tire’s
advertised retailer selling price at the time of adjustment by
the percentage of usable original tread that has been worn
off. You pay for mounting, balancing, and applicable taxes. If
a tire has a repairable puncture, and is not eligible for no-charge
coverage, you pay for the cost of the puncture repair.
EXAMPLE: If your disabled tire had an original 8/32" of
usable treadwear and is worn to 4/32" usable tread remaining,
you have used 50% and therefore must pay 50% of the
current advertised selling price of the replacement tire. If the
price of the new replacement tire is $160, the cost to you
would be $80 plus any additional charges such as mounting,
balancing and applicable taxes.
WHAT IS COVERED AND FOR HOW LONG?
1. FREE REPLACEMENT
Any new Goodyear Run-Flat EMT tire removed from service
due to a covered warranty condition or rendered not
repairable due to a road hazard injury during the first 2/32"
treadwear or 12 months from date of purchase, whichever
occurs first, will be replaced at no charge. Mounting and
balancing are included. Repairable punctures will also be
repaired at no charge during this period. Without proof of
purchase, date of manufacture will be used to determine age.
2. PRORATED ADJUSTMENT
A tire not eligible for no-charge replacement that is
removed from service due to a covered warranty condition
or rendered not repairable due to a road hazard injury will
be replaced on a prorated basis.
HOW WILL PRORATED CHARGES
BE CALCULATED?
Replacement price will be calculated by multiplying the tire’s
advertised retailer selling price at the time of adjustment by
the percentage of usable original tread that has been worn
off. You pay for mounting, balancing, and applicable taxes. If
a tire has a repairable puncture, and is not eligible for no-charge
coverage, you pay for the cost of the puncture repair.
EXAMPLE: If your disabled tire had an original 8/32" of
usable treadwear and is worn to 4/32" usable tread remaining,
you have used 50% and therefore must pay 50% of the
current advertised selling price of the replacement tire. If the
price of the new replacement tire is $160, the cost to you
would be $80 plus any additional charges such as mounting,
balancing and applicable taxes.
Goodyear Run Flat Repair Procedure
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 1/4" 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.
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 1/4" 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.
Goodyear Speed-Rated Tire Repair Limits
II. DETAILED POLICY - Puncture Repair of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires
The puncture must be confined to the tread area only.
(See "Repair Area", item III-B).
Restrictions on the number and size of repairs must be followed.
(See "Puncture Repair Limits" table, item III-C).
A detailed repair procedure must be followed.
(See "Repair Procedure", item III-E).
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
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.
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.
PUNCTURE REPAIR LIMITS
TIRE SPEED...............MAX. NUMBER...........MAX REPAIR
(SPEED SYMBOL)................................. ....DIAMETER
130 mph and over ...........1......................1/4 in. (6mm)
(H, V, Z)
II. DETAILED POLICY - Puncture Repair of Goodyear Speed-Rated Tires
The puncture must be confined to the tread area only.
(See "Repair Area", item III-B).
Restrictions on the number and size of repairs must be followed.
(See "Puncture Repair Limits" table, item III-C).
A detailed repair procedure must be followed.
(See "Repair Procedure", item III-E).
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
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.
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.
PUNCTURE REPAIR LIMITS
TIRE SPEED...............MAX. NUMBER...........MAX REPAIR
(SPEED SYMBOL)................................. ....DIAMETER
130 mph and over ...........1......................1/4 in. (6mm)
(H, V, Z)
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
Your profile does not include some basic information that would make giving specific advice easier. It would be nice to include your city and state and information about your car.
For example, depending on where you live I could suggest going to Discount Tire. But Discount Tire is not in every state, or even in every locale in the states they are in.
Help us help you.
For example, depending on where you live I could suggest going to Discount Tire. But Discount Tire is not in every state, or even in every locale in the states they are in.
Help us help you.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 133,592
Likes: 30
St. Jude Donor '11, '16
Goodyear, their warranty, and "authorized dealers" are a horrible joke....
You made out pretty good at 320$...The only problem being that you bought GY again...My next tires will be anything but GY....
Some people will say they had great luck, some (including me) not so great...to me it is just not worth putting up with the GY
Good luck....
You made out pretty good at 320$...The only problem being that you bought GY again...My next tires will be anything but GY....
Some people will say they had great luck, some (including me) not so great...to me it is just not worth putting up with the GY
Good luck....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Sorry, that I left some info out of my post. I'm in Wilmington, NC and I didn't want to give any names of any businesses b/c I didn't want to flame on them.
The nail was about 2 inches away from the edge of the tread on the tire. The sidewall wasn't compromised in any way.
I don't know the actual tread depth, but comparing the new tire to the old tire on the left side I would estimate that the tread is half-way down.
I have already paid out of pocket, but will still contact Goodyear about this and see what their customer service has to say. I guess I should have posted this before I had the tire replaced.
Thanks for all of your input! I'm new to the forum and to my vette.
The nail was about 2 inches away from the edge of the tread on the tire. The sidewall wasn't compromised in any way.
I don't know the actual tread depth, but comparing the new tire to the old tire on the left side I would estimate that the tread is half-way down.
I have already paid out of pocket, but will still contact Goodyear about this and see what their customer service has to say. I guess I should have posted this before I had the tire replaced.
Thanks for all of your input! I'm new to the forum and to my vette.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
I've used Discount Tires 2 different times. They did it right. They insured my jacking pucks were in place, they patched (not plugged), they reinstalled the TPM's correctly, and they torqued the lug bolts properly. Total cost was $7 each time.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,983
From: DFW Area TX
I hope that they actually used both a plug and a patch. Proper repair requires BOTH. See my previous post with the proper repair procedures.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Ok, I called Goodyear Customer Service and they got the tread reading from the tire shop. The tread was half-way down, so they pro-rated the price I paid on the tire and I will now be getting a refund for the difference.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the way that Goodyear and Black's Tire (my local tire shop) handled it. Even though the tire wasn't patched, I still got a refund off of the replacment tire. I called them at 4:30pm and it is only an hour later and the problem has been resolved.
Thanks for everyone's info!!!
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the way that Goodyear and Black's Tire (my local tire shop) handled it. Even though the tire wasn't patched, I still got a refund off of the replacment tire. I called them at 4:30pm and it is only an hour later and the problem has been resolved.
Thanks for everyone's info!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Beech Mountain North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '09
I had GM dealer where I purchased Vette plug a nail hole, worked fine, but at high speeds I could tell tremendous diff. in balance- need to rebalance after plugging
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 57,804
Likes: 1
From: Portrichey FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 6
From: Torrance CA
Ok, I called Goodyear Customer Service and they got the tread reading from the tire shop. The tread was half-way down, so they pro-rated the price I paid on the tire and I will now be getting a refund for the difference.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the way that Goodyear and Black's Tire (my local tire shop) handled it. Even though the tire wasn't patched, I still got a refund off of the replacment tire. I called them at 4:30pm and it is only an hour later and the problem has been resolved.
Thanks for everyone's info!!!
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with the way that Goodyear and Black's Tire (my local tire shop) handled it. Even though the tire wasn't patched, I still got a refund off of the replacment tire. I called them at 4:30pm and it is only an hour later and the problem has been resolved.
Thanks for everyone's info!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 67
From: USA
Do it yourself. Purchase NADA Balkamp Vulcanizing plug kit #710-1028. The kit has a gun it it. You prepare the hole and stick the gun in the hole. You pull the lever a couple of times and the plug with a head on it goes into the tire. When you pull the gun out the pluh head stays in the tire and the plug fills the hole. When you put air in the air puts pressure on the plug head and the hole is sealed. Be sure to follow instructions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: Longview Texas
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,897
Likes: 4,350
From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Goodyear, their warranty, and "authorized dealers" are a horrible joke....
You made out pretty good at 320$...The only problem being that you bought GY again...My next tires will be anything but GY....
Some people will say they had great luck, some (including me) not so great...to me it is just not worth putting up with the GY
Good luck....
You made out pretty good at 320$...The only problem being that you bought GY again...My next tires will be anything but GY....
Some people will say they had great luck, some (including me) not so great...to me it is just not worth putting up with the GY
Good luck....