Got a flat front tire, is it better to get patch or plugged?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville NC
Got a flat front tire, is it better to get patch or plugged?
Wondering if it is better or possible to get our "run flat" goodyear eagle F1 tires plugged or patched? Just wanted a heads up b-4 going to the shop and have someone tell me we need to remove tire, patch and rebalance . and charge me like 50 dollars...when it should be plugged or something. thanks in advance.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Depending on where the hole is it can be plugged. If its close to the sidewall it cant. I think if done properly a plug with a patch on the inside is required. I would take it to discount tire and have them check it out. There are alot of threads about it here if you do a search.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
To repair a hole in the tread it's kinda both a patch and a plug.
They take the tire off the rim and repair it from the inside with a plug that is attached to a patch that adheres to the inside of the tire.
It's a patch. It's a plug. It's a patch-plug.
They take the tire off the rim and repair it from the inside with a plug that is attached to a patch that adheres to the inside of the tire.
It's a patch. It's a plug. It's a patch-plug.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 1
From: tacoma wa
yes, this! Discount tire will do it for free.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Last time I looked, Goodyear allowed one plug-patch and still keep the speed rating on the tire, if it was inspected properly from the inside. That shows how confident they are.
Properly done, you shouldn't have to worry about a blow-out. It might start to leak some day (very rare) but not so suddenly it would be dangerous.
A second plug-patch reduces or eliminates the speed rating.
Some people will claim they've used the old fashioned external plug and not had problems.
My mother smoked a pack a day for 60 years and didn't have problems, but I still choose not to smoke.
Properly done, you shouldn't have to worry about a blow-out. It might start to leak some day (very rare) but not so suddenly it would be dangerous.
A second plug-patch reduces or eliminates the speed rating.
Some people will claim they've used the old fashioned external plug and not had problems.
My mother smoked a pack a day for 60 years and didn't have problems, but I still choose not to smoke.
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Pro
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 42
From: Montreal Quebec
Wondering if it is better or possible to get our "run flat" goodyear eagle F1 tires plugged or patched? Just wanted a heads up b-4 going to the shop and have someone tell me we need to remove tire, patch and rebalance . and charge me like 50 dollars...when it should be plugged or something. thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
The tire companies all require the tire to be removed from the rim and patched from the inside, no need to rebalance if the guy who removes the tire is smart enough to mark its' position on the rim, but that may be asking too much. No major tire company condones plugging from the outside of a tire.
Jim is right...there are 90 year old people who have smoked all their lives but that still doesn't tell me that smoking is OK...perfect metaphor.
Jim is right...there are 90 year old people who have smoked all their lives but that still doesn't tell me that smoking is OK...perfect metaphor.
Tolero Apto Victum
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,669
Likes: 37
From: Woodlands TX
I have had mine done, "patch-plug" at my local fire stone tire store with no problems. Depending on the tread depth on your tires, this my be an opportunity for you to buy some firestone firehawk wide ovals. Good luck with your repairs.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 42
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth The Republic of TEXAS
I plug tires from the outside all the time and I've never had a blowout or a problem in driving 20,000 or more miles afterwards on lots of them. If you know where you can plug and what you are doing then I don't see any need for concern unless...
I was planning on driving over 100mph all the time then I would definitely get it patched from the inside.
I was planning on driving over 100mph all the time then I would definitely get it patched from the inside.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27,420
Likes: 64
From: San Clemente CA
The tire companies all require the tire to be removed from the rim and patched from the inside, no need to rebalance if the guy who removes the tire is smart enough to mark its' position on the rim, but that may be asking too much. No major tire company condones plugging from the outside of a tire.
Jim is right...there are 90 year old people who have smoked all their lives but that still doesn't tell me that smoking is OK...perfect metaphor.
Jim is right...there are 90 year old people who have smoked all their lives but that still doesn't tell me that smoking is OK...perfect metaphor.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
The tire companies all require the tire to be removed from the rim and patched from the inside, no need to rebalance if the guy who removes the tire is smart enough to mark its' position on the rim, but that may be asking too much. No major tire company condones plugging from the outside of a tire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
I plug tires from the outside all the time and I've never had a blowout or a problem in driving 20,000 or more miles afterwards on lots of them. If you know where you can plug and what you are doing then I don't see any need for concern unless...
I was planning on driving over 100mph all the time then I would definitely get it patched from the inside.
I was planning on driving over 100mph all the time then I would definitely get it patched from the inside.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville NC
Well , I called a couple of local tire shops and found one that is a goodyear retailer. so I took my tire to them and had it removed and patched from inside with a rebalance done. only cost me $22. plus my time and labor of course. I can deal with that. thanks again for the feedback.