Nail in runflat
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
I do NOT consider any Discount Tire franchise "necessarily" a competent tire store. It all depends on who is doing the work (not where you go to get the work done).
The BEST repair, as noted above, is a plug w/an attached patch, which requires the bead to be broken but does NOT require the tire to be removed entirely from the rim.
Any "competent" tire repair person can do this repair in just a few minutes.
The BEST repair, as noted above, is a plug w/an attached patch, which requires the bead to be broken but does NOT require the tire to be removed entirely from the rim.
Any "competent" tire repair person can do this repair in just a few minutes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 32,042
Likes: 4,610
Depends on who you buy em from. Discount Tire Stores have provided on-the-spot replacement and adjustments to ALL Michelin tires I've brought them for over 25 years.
Who'd you buy your Michelins from??
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I do NOT consider any Discount Tire franchise "necessarily" a competent tire store. It all depends on who is doing the work (not where you go to get the work done).
The BEST repair, as noted above, is a plug w/an attached patch, which requires the bead to be broken but does NOT require the tire to be removed entirely from the rim.
Any "competent" tire repair person can do this repair in just a few minutes.
The BEST repair, as noted above, is a plug w/an attached patch, which requires the bead to be broken but does NOT require the tire to be removed entirely from the rim.
Any "competent" tire repair person can do this repair in just a few minutes.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 262
Likes: 53
From: San Diego, CA
I just got my rear grand sport run flat plugged. I had them remove the tire and patch it from the inside. They scuffed it up with a sander. They ended up breaking my tpms sensor and I had to go back so they could replace it. But over all $25 for the patch job and I requested they be very careful with the ccb rotors and they were.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 615
From: Blacksburg Va
20+ years as a Lexus tech I have plugged 100s of tires. When they first started using run flats they were insistent that we remove the tire and patch it from the inside. After a couple years of owners complaints because we charged $100 they relaxed the rules. By year 3 or so we were plugging them just like any other tire of course as long as the nail was in an appropriate place. We used the brown worms like the Safety Seal mentioned above. Here is my tip. Forget the hand powered reamers and use your drill w/ a 3/16 to 1/4 inch bit. Just in and up and down maybe 3 times. Also use tire patch glue. I would glob some on the hole and then slather it all over the plug. Slop it on and quickly insert the plug. The glue acts as a lube as long as you do it quickly before it starts to set up. Shove it in until 1/4 inch of the plug remains visible. Remove the tool and trim off the 1/4 inch w/ a razor blade. I probably wouldn't run a plugged tire on a track but I have autocrossed on a plug w/ no problems. Believe me, w/ the Lexus emphasis on customer satisfaction, if these plugs didn't work we would not have been using them.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 1,369
From: Mesa AZ
I had a screw in my tire back in 2018. Removed the tire myself and took it to the nearby Discount Tire. They plugged the tire and no charge. I gave them a tip. Tire and plug have been fine since then.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
Had a piece of rebar ruin tire and wheel in May up in Michigan and Discount Tire had a new tire for me in 2 days and Bob's Wheels had a new wheel to me in 2 days. I thought the shortage on these tires was over.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
20+ years as a Lexus tech I have plugged 100s of tires. When they first started using run flats they were insistent that we remove the tire and patch it from the inside. After a couple years of owners complaints because we charged $100 they relaxed the rules. By year 3 or so we were plugging them just like any other tire of course as long as the nail was in an appropriate place. We used the brown worms like the Safety Seal mentioned above. Here is my tip. Forget the hand powered reamers and use your drill w/ a 3/16 to 1/4 inch bit. Just in and up and down maybe 3 times. Also use tire patch glue. I would glob some on the hole and then slather it all over the plug. Slop it on and quickly insert the plug. The glue acts as a lube as long as you do it quickly before it starts to set up. Shove it in until 1/4 inch of the plug remains visible. Remove the tool and trim off the 1/4 inch w/ a razor blade. I probably wouldn't run a plugged tire on a track but I have autocrossed on a plug w/ no problems. Believe me, w/ the Lexus emphasis on customer satisfaction, if these plugs didn't work we would not have been using them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 988
From: Orwigsburg Pa
I just got a issue with driver side rear tire. Everything was fine driving to Carlise on Thursday for the show. Tire pressure was good before I left. When I left Carlise noticed on my tire gauge in the car the rear was down 5 lbs. pulled the wheel today to try and find leak looks like I picked up a very small hole on the tread and tire monitor gauge looks like there maybe some bubbles around that also. Sprayed them with soapy water. Stopped at the dealer I bought it from going to work today. Going to drop wheel off next week and have them fix it. It’s covered under warranty.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 100
Likes: 24
From: Lakeland, FL
I just had that problem 3 weeks or so ago. I plugged it myself with a plug kit I bought at Walmart for 7 dollars. Not one pressure problem since. I set my display on tire pressures for awhile and everything was fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 988
From: Orwigsburg Pa
We’ll just got the news this morning after dropping off my rear tire on my 19Z06. Did fine a small nail in it. The dealer said they cannot patch it. They will be getting me a new tire under my warranty I’m fine with that. I rather a new tire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 190
From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
A plug is fine, even though not a runflat, racers plug slicks all the time and run them at speed with absolutely no issues. You'll be fine.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 98
Likes: 39
It will leak again at some point .
I would attempt to plug it your self .
A patch works great of done correctly but the tire has to come off the rim , sometimes damaging the tires beads , the spot has to be ground down inside the tire and if a cord is exposed ( happens frequently) the tire is trash as it will always leak .
Plug it or replace it .
if replaced buy a road hazard warranty.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix