Griffin Brown

Discovered a bolt in my tire this weekend. Had it fixed at my local tire shop. Wanted to ask all of the knowledgable people on the board whether the fixed tire poses and increased risk of blow-out at speed. I don't track the car, but occasionally hit 100mph+ on a deserted highway for brief periods. I am sure to get flamed by someone for not obeying the posted speed limit, but hoped I would also get an answer to my question.

STLPCA

IF repaired correctly & puncture is not too large & is located in the tread (not too close to the sidewall), you should be OK. Conventional wisdom is the speed rating for a tire w/repaired puncture goes down 1 letter.

<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/punctures.htm" target="_blank">TireRack's Puncture Repairs Done The Right Way</a>

Speeding on a public road <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> ( )

Bins

I had a nail puncture repaired for the price of a beer.

Have been using it for 3 years so far.

Of course, I have now tempted fate!!! <img src="graemlins/icon501.gif" border="0" alt="[icon501]" />

Griffin Brown

Thanks guys.

Dave Crellin

Bins,

Where did you get the fix so cheap? I've had 3 nail/screws in the tires due to construction near work, and each time it's been $25. I've been using a local performance tire specialist (Stokes in Santa Monica).

Perhaps I don't need to go to a specialist....

Bins

I just went to a local tyre dealer to see what they could do.

He suggested we try to fix it first and then see what happens. If it didnt work then the tyre would have to be replaced.

He was actually willing to do it for free but the least I could do was give him beer money.

Sometimes you just get a decent bloke you get on with. I find that if youre just down to earth and not arrogant, sometimes it works well for you.

Even so, Ive had tyres fixed for only £5/£10.

I dont think you need a specialist for replacing the tyre as long as they dont damage the wheels. But lets face it even a specialist can end up damaging wheels.

Im sure performance specialists will charge you for the time. Parts costs should be negligible.

The important thing is to have the alignment done by a specialist.

Regards <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Ray Calvo

Was it repaired with a patch or a plug? Quality repair means a patch; needs dismounting of the tire from the wheel. Plugging a radial is not recommended; theory is it will work loose or the plug will expand the puncture.

For what it's worth, I have had success with plug repairs on radials, incl. 911 tires. Tire shops generally been of the opinion of "try it first".

Bins

In my case, its always been a patch. If that doesnt work, replace.

Curtis - '97 Targa

I recently found screws in three of my relatively new SO-2's <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Although one was in a marginal area toward the edge of the tread, I went ahead and patched them all thinking that the worst thing that would happen if the patch fails is a slow leak. The screws were all small and caused VERY slow leaks when they were removed.

Is my assumption correct? Is the worst thing that can happen a return to the slow leak or can a failed patch cause bigger problems (ie blowouts)?

Bins

The guy at the tyre place said that i would notice a slow puncture if the patch failed.

But then again any tyre can have a blowout, patch or no patch.

Robert Henriksen

Discount Tire will patch (not plug) your tire for free - company policy!

It's damn smart, if you ask me. Who wouldn't go back next time you need tires (or TireRack tires mounted )?

Dave Crellin

I know that my SO-2s were patched as I watched them do it. Also I was going there as they'd replaced a couple of valves for free so I took business back.

STLPCA

[quote]Originally posted by Curtis - '97 Targa:
<strong>...I went ahead and patched them all thinking that the worst thing that would happen if the patch fails is a slow leak.

Is my assumption correct? Is the worst thing that can happen a return to the slow leak or can a failed patch cause bigger problems (ie blowouts)?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Curtis
If the patch fails, you're back to the slow leak you had before. Since most non-impact, non-manufacturing defect blowouts result from excessive heat buildup, you should not be at any increased risk. I'd watch the pressure more carefully for that tire. A slow leak from the puncture site can usually be easily diagnosed with soapy water dropped into the hole - bubbles <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />
no bubbles <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />