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Nail in a run-flat tire
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Nail in a run-flat tire
Just noticed a nail in the tread of the right rear tire. My car is an '06 Base Coupe with run-flat tires. If I pull the nail and no air leaks out, I figure I'm home free, but I'm afraid I won't be so lucky. I've heard such a nail hole is not repairable (plug or patch). The owner manual suggests otherwise. What's your advice, please....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
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From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 463
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From: Brandon Mississippi
Same here. took it to local tire shop and they spent 1 hour dismounting and mounting tire on rim. they took their time and did a flawless job with no rim scratches.
I would pull the nail mark the spot and if you are lucky it wont leak. if it does call around for an experienced corvette tire repair shop. Not all tire places are.
I would pull the nail mark the spot and if you are lucky it wont leak. if it does call around for an experienced corvette tire repair shop. Not all tire places are.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 728
Likes: 30
From: Paris
Just noticed a nail in the tread of the right rear tire. My car is an '06 Base Coupe with run-flat tires. If I pull the nail and no air leaks out, I figure I'm home free, but I'm afraid I won't be so lucky. I've heard such a nail hole is not repairable (plug or patch). The owner manual suggests otherwise. What's your advice, please....
Have it checked by a reputable tire store, if you have the tire safety hazard program they will refund up to 50$ for a puncture.
a++ Cedric
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,560
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From: panama city beach florida USA
St. Jude Donor '09
i dont understand your question. Do you want to fix a hole thats not leaking or is this a 'what happens if i get a leak in the future'. ive had maybe 6 punctures [nails ,screws and 1 bullet] in runflats from 2001/2007 plugged everyone and no issues. bullet didnt penatrate all the way through so no repair needed
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
i dont understand your question. Do you want to fix a hole thats not leaking or is this a 'what happens if i get a leak in the future'. ive had maybe 6 punctures [nails ,screws and 1 bullet] in runflats from 2001/2007 plugged everyone and no issues. bullet didnt penatrate all the way through so no repair needed
While I agree 100% that an inside patch is best, and the use of the ggodyear EMT repair is the way to go especially if its free, I cant take the chance that a tire will be removed from a rim without damage. 90% of the times I had tires removed and or replaced, the rim had some type of damage.
I'm with Patton here........plug it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,644
Likes: 13
From: South of Boston MA
If the nail didn't puncture and cause a loss of air pressure I'd say you're ok. If you put a plug in a run flat tire I'm pretty sure the speed rating goes out the window. Get it repaired via a tire dismount and inside patch if it needs repairing. A good tire shop can do the work without damaging your rim. 
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 307
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From: Madisonville La
I have also used many plugs without issues. But I also recently had a nail in my drivers side front. As slow leaker that I brouoght to the a Goodyear for repair as I have not had good luck with run flats at non Goodyear dealers. They dismounted the tire and patched the hole on the inside. $45+ with taxes but worth the price for a runflat with 6/32 left on the tread. Next tires will not be run flats with the only possible exception for a set of Firestone Wide Ovals. From the reviews very good wet weather traction, low noise, great price and 90% performance traction of the GY run flats. 
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 130
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From: Austin TX
Never ever put a plug in the wheel, never. Always have them fixed from the inside. In Europe plugs are illegal because they are deemed a safety hazard.
Have it checked by a reputable tire store, if you have the tire safety hazard program they will refund up to 50$ for a puncture.
a++ Cedric
Have it checked by a reputable tire store, if you have the tire safety hazard program they will refund up to 50$ for a puncture.
a++ Cedric
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Eagle River AK
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'14
I'm plugged. Five minutes in my garage and no drama of having the shop crack my rockers or damage my rim. It's a runflat! Although I have never heard of it happening, what if the plug did come out - it's a runflat. No different from driving down the road and hitting some debris and losing total pressure. If I was going to track my car regularly at high speeds I most probably would get it professional repaired though.
I even have a plug kit on my car!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 539
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK
Just noticed a nail in the tread of the right rear tire. My car is an '06 Base Coupe with run-flat tires. If I pull the nail and no air leaks out, I figure I'm home free, but I'm afraid I won't be so lucky. I've heard such a nail hole is not repairable (plug or patch). The owner manual suggests otherwise. What's your advice, please....
So, whether or not your tire will be repaired by a tire shop may depend on the location of the puncture. If they refuse to repair it, they may use the reasons stated above. Now, the issue of who will pay for the repair will depend on the age of the tire, tread wear, and if there is still a warranty in place. You may want to consult the paperwork that came with the car to make this determination. Hope this helps.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 728
Likes: 30
From: Paris
All punctures are fixed from the inside, I didn't even know that you could plug them from the outside, until I came to the US. It was my dad who told me to never accept me a plug to fix a puncture.
I have done some research and apparently, in France, you can buy a plug kit for motorbikes to temporarily fix a tire, but all tire shops fix punctures from the inside. A French motorbike community states that shops that fix punctures with outside plugs should be avoided like the plague.
So I was wrong on one thing, it appears that it isn't illegal as I previously stated, sorry about that invalid statement.
As for the motorcycle plug fixing:
http://www.fireblades.org/forums/gen...tire-plug.html
a++ Cedric
Last edited by CroOrange; Sep 17, 2008 at 11:49 AM. Reason: Did some research :o)
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Instructor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
The tire MUST be repaired with the approved plug/patch at a Goodyear repair store. It is a plug and a patch combined in one. The plug part is pulled through the hole while the patch on the backside of the plug seals the inside of the tire. The inside surface of the tire is prepared and adhesive used. The centrifugal forces a tire undergoes could throw out a plug only repair. Think of it as a piece of foreign material in the tire. And yes, forget about your speed rating with a plug only repair. Dont forget, moisture getting into the tire through a rope/plug will destroy the metallic belts, also resulting in damage.
As far as repairs made near the shoulder...they can only be made through the crown area of the tire (where there is support and integrity from the belts/overlay, that is way anything outside the tread of the tire is not repairable. Tire growth and flex is to prevelant in that area. Call the 1-800 numberin the warranty info that came with your Vette for the nearest service location. Track days and high speed runs on a plugged tire is dangerous and dangerous to those around you, think of that at least. Plugs were desgined as temporary repairs, to get you to a repair shop. Same goes for "temporary spares".
As far as repairs made near the shoulder...they can only be made through the crown area of the tire (where there is support and integrity from the belts/overlay, that is way anything outside the tread of the tire is not repairable. Tire growth and flex is to prevelant in that area. Call the 1-800 numberin the warranty info that came with your Vette for the nearest service location. Track days and high speed runs on a plugged tire is dangerous and dangerous to those around you, think of that at least. Plugs were desgined as temporary repairs, to get you to a repair shop. Same goes for "temporary spares".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,421
Likes: 1,130
From: Goodyear Arizona
Just noticed a nail in the tread of the right rear tire. My car is an '06 Base Coupe with run-flat tires. If I pull the nail and no air leaks out, I figure I'm home free, but I'm afraid I won't be so lucky. I've heard such a nail hole is not repairable (plug or patch). The owner manual suggests otherwise. What's your advice, please....
