Tire Problem - Help!!!
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 55
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From: Ford VA
Tire Problem - Help!!!
Need information on my tire problem. I got a nail in my tire and I am a DIY guy and got my own fix a flat kit but can't get my probe in the hole where the nail was - any suggestions? thanks in advance
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
Get a dynaplug kit....hey have a sharp, small diameter insertion tool that works well..
http://www.dynaplug.com/
Available at harbor freight..
http://www.dynaplug.com/
Available at harbor freight..
Last edited by Modshack; Sep 19, 2008 at 07:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,022
Likes: 8
From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
gentlemen..a plug repair is unacceptable in all radial tires. period. in fact, NHTSA has compiled enough date to outlaw them and get that stuff off the shelf... I know, I worked on it with them. Tire failures from plug repairs in radials date back to the early 80's, law suits, deaths, you name it. Yes, I know, some folks are going to post "I got a plug and never had a problem.........."...well...... you are playing a dangerous game.
First off, when a speed rated tire is repaired, it looses it's speed rating..did ya know that? Unless the repair was done in accordance with the tire manufacture...and they all differ. A plug? forget it.
The tire needs to be removed from the rim, a radial patch placed over the injury in the inner liner then a plug pulled through from the inside to the outside and trimmed off. Its a one piece repair item, it looks like a mushroom.
Now..why is this critical? The inner liner of the tubeless radial tire is the "inner tube" of the tire... when you get a puncture, the structural integrity around the hole in this inner liner is now damaged... just plugging a tire..does not repair this problem. So what happens? with time...the inner liner begins to lift around this injury... and air begins to migrate into the body of the tire..out of the inner liner. The air carries moisture... as this air "charges" the tire.... inflation pressure will read ok...... but now.. as the air reaches the belt package, crown edge supports, cord body...etc... it begins to damage the casing struture... especially the belt package, the steel belts begin to rust... this can lead to a blow out... and has.. I know..I was involved in litigation as the Govt. witness in a half dozen cases....after we did the tire failure analysis at our test site.
The belts seperated.....without warning.
Dont plug the tire friend. Take it to a reptuable tire dealers shop and let them do it right... if they do their job..they can call the manufacture and ask the status of the speed rating.
Me......I would get a new tire..and if the other tire is worn more than 1/3rd ..i'd get two.
You have an expensive car...and your well being is not worth a cheap tire repair.
just my 2 cents.
First off, when a speed rated tire is repaired, it looses it's speed rating..did ya know that? Unless the repair was done in accordance with the tire manufacture...and they all differ. A plug? forget it.
The tire needs to be removed from the rim, a radial patch placed over the injury in the inner liner then a plug pulled through from the inside to the outside and trimmed off. Its a one piece repair item, it looks like a mushroom.
Now..why is this critical? The inner liner of the tubeless radial tire is the "inner tube" of the tire... when you get a puncture, the structural integrity around the hole in this inner liner is now damaged... just plugging a tire..does not repair this problem. So what happens? with time...the inner liner begins to lift around this injury... and air begins to migrate into the body of the tire..out of the inner liner. The air carries moisture... as this air "charges" the tire.... inflation pressure will read ok...... but now.. as the air reaches the belt package, crown edge supports, cord body...etc... it begins to damage the casing struture... especially the belt package, the steel belts begin to rust... this can lead to a blow out... and has.. I know..I was involved in litigation as the Govt. witness in a half dozen cases....after we did the tire failure analysis at our test site.
The belts seperated.....without warning.
Dont plug the tire friend. Take it to a reptuable tire dealers shop and let them do it right... if they do their job..they can call the manufacture and ask the status of the speed rating.
Me......I would get a new tire..and if the other tire is worn more than 1/3rd ..i'd get two.
You have an expensive car...and your well being is not worth a cheap tire repair.
just my 2 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,703
Likes: 34
From: Massachusetts
I got a screw in my tire at 5 k. Brought the tire to a Qualified dealer. They installed a patch from the inside. This is the only way to repair a Runflat if the hole is on the flat surface of the tire. Paul of corvettemechanic.com uses a FLUTE patch which is a plug,patch repair kit. Do it right,you don't want a blowout on the highway. Jeff
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Township OH
Tire repair is not a DIY proposition. Take it to a certified run-flat dealer or a Goodyear store. The forces a tire endures when traveling at speed with cornering forces is amazing. A proper repair is the only responsible way to go. Yes I work for a tire manufacturer.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 824
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From: Baton Rouge LA
Took the tire off myself and let the local Gy dealer remove it and repair. I was lucky to have a Gy dealer who specialized in after market wheels and had the equipment to remove the tire correctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,022
Likes: 8
From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
I got a screw in my tire at 5 k. Brought the tire to a Qualified dealer. They installed a patch from the inside. This is the only way to repair a Runflat if the hole is on the flat surface of the tire. Paul of corvettemechanic.com uses a FLUTE patch which is a plug,patch repair kit. Do it right,you don't want a blowout on the highway. Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
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From: Chesapeake Virginia
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Most of these cars never go fast anyway, so the plug is probably OK. But if the car is one of the few that actually might see 100mph, then the plug is dangerous. According to the tire manufacturers....