Runflat IS Flat HELP!
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Blaine Minnesota
Runflat IS Flat HELP!
Hey all! 08 Z-51 stock Goodyear Runflats 9k miles tread still decent but not great. I just had the left rear blow out for no apparent reason. Drove home 5-6 miles at less than 30mph. Correct me if Im wrong here- Assuming its on the tread and not too close to the sidewall it can be replaced with a patch style plug from what I have read on the forum.
Big question- If it is patched would it be ok for 1 full track day??? My 1st time going to BIR in MN. and I will have a professional driver showing me the lines and how to drive it correctly (Basics) before I take it out on my own.
Big question- If it is patched would it be ok for 1 full track day??? My 1st time going to BIR in MN. and I will have a professional driver showing me the lines and how to drive it correctly (Basics) before I take it out on my own.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Frederick, MD
I'm guessing it didn't blow out. If you are talking about a nail/screw then as long as it is not in the sidewall then you should be good to go, or right next to the sidewall in the tread. They should take the tire off the rim to fix it right which includes plugging/patching it.
As far as being good for the track I cannot answer that. Germans didn't plug/patch tires when I was there in the 90s because it would mean losing the speed rating (not good for liability on the autobahn). I wouldn't trust it on the track.
As far as being good for the track I cannot answer that. Germans didn't plug/patch tires when I was there in the 90s because it would mean losing the speed rating (not good for liability on the autobahn). I wouldn't trust it on the track.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Last I heard, Goodyear allowed one patch (internal) on a Corvette runflat and the tire retained its speed rating. A second patch, speed rating gone.
Is that a safe idea? Probably, but I don't know for sure.
OTOH, track days use up tires rather quickly, so you might want to patch the tire (if within acceptable limits) and kiss the Goodyears goodby after that weekend.
Is that a safe idea? Probably, but I don't know for sure.
OTOH, track days use up tires rather quickly, so you might want to patch the tire (if within acceptable limits) and kiss the Goodyears goodby after that weekend.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Personal preference but I would never take a car to a high performance driving event with a plugged or patched trie, period.
You will be putting a lot of heavy duty stresses and heat cycles on that tire and a lot of faith in the mechanics of a plug and a lot of faith in the attention to detail of the person that did the work. Way too many variables for me to fell comfortable with at a track event.
You will be putting a lot of heavy duty stresses and heat cycles on that tire and a lot of faith in the mechanics of a plug and a lot of faith in the attention to detail of the person that did the work. Way too many variables for me to fell comfortable with at a track event.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '16
I noticed today that I had a screw in my rear left. It's not located on the sidewall. It is actually on the tread and not in between. Went to NTB and he said a runflat can't be repaired. I'm glad I saw this thread. I'm going to take it somewhere else and get a second opinion. I'll also look at previous threads. Thanks for posting this.
Team Owner
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Tech Contributor
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
I noticed today that I had a screw in my rear left. It's not located on the sidewall. It is actually on the tread and not in between. Went to NTB and he said a runflat can't be repaired. I'm glad I saw this thread. I'm going to take it somewhere else and get a second opinion. I'll also look at previous threads. Thanks for posting this.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '16
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I would take the tire to a dealer or a Goodyear store that is certified to patch EMTs. Firestone run flats can't be used after being run when flat and a Firestone dealer may not know the Goodyear is different. The Firestone Runflats I had on my C5 were more compliant than the GY tires so the Firestone dealer may not have the proper tire machine to change the stiffer GY tire.
Bill
Bill
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
Personal preference but I would never take a car to a high performance driving event with a plugged or patched trie, period.
You will be putting a lot of heavy duty stresses and heat cycles on that tire and a lot of faith in the mechanics of a plug and a lot of faith in the attention to detail of the person that did the work. Way too many variables for me to fell comfortable with at a track event.
You will be putting a lot of heavy duty stresses and heat cycles on that tire and a lot of faith in the mechanics of a plug and a lot of faith in the attention to detail of the person that did the work. Way too many variables for me to fell comfortable with at a track event.
ps. people........ patches are not speed rated..... tires are not subjected to the SAE or ETRO speed rating tests with patches...... just saying.......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: San Diego CA
But . . . It's a DD, not a track car. Quite a difference in thermal and elastic stresses.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I ran a patched EMT for ten track days when I first purchased my 08Z. Have also run patched tires EMTs on my C5.
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
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From: Frederick, MD
Slowing down from 70 mph vs 120 or more is a lot different. If a tire failed at the track it would probably fail at its weakest point which would probably be the repair and probably when it is under the most stress. The last thing you want is to lose all pressure in any tire while going into a high speed corner or braking hard.
I also lived in Germany for 8 years. Accidents at 100 mph or more are not pretty. A lot of them are the result of a tire blowout.
Firestones say do not repair on them. I know if I had a tire shop I would not repair one because of it. Not worth the liability
I also lived in Germany for 8 years. Accidents at 100 mph or more are not pretty. A lot of them are the result of a tire blowout.
Firestones say do not repair on them. I know if I had a tire shop I would not repair one because of it. Not worth the liability
