I just noticed the head of a nail sticking out of one of my Goodyear LT275s. It's the r/rear and it's near the outside of the tire in the tread.

Question - Since I only have 5000 miles on these tires - should I have it plugged or patched from the inside?

I'm sure this is not covered on warranty, correct?

 

I'm afraid you're out of luck on the warranty unless you find a very friendly dealer. But since the nail is in the tread it should be able to be plugged. Good luck.

 

That's a bummer.

If the nail is at the edge of the tread "shoulder" then you may need a new tire. If not, then have it patched.

Never have it plugged.

Take it to a reputable tire place to have it fixed.

 

Depending on how close it is to the edge of the tread, you may have to opt for a new tire. However, if its repairable always opt for a patch on the inside. They say plugs are safe, but I just don't trust them and they also look bad after a few miles because it always looks like something is stuck on your tire.

Talk about mad, maybe my story will calm you down some. After only 800 miles I picked up a nail in my R-rear tire one day heading home from school. Took it to the dealership to have it patched ($22) and drove it home, to find that I had picked up another nail in the same tire Luckly the second one was a roofing tack and when I pulled it out it didn't cause a leak. The reason I opted for the $22 buck patch job at my dealership is because at the time some of the guys around here were saying these new wheels were very soft and if not handled properly would eaisly "ding". I've saw how my local tire shop handles wheels so I didn't want a wheel with 800 miles to get dinged bc of some 18 year old kid working for minimum wage at the local tire shop.

 

Speaking of being mad... and hating to hi-jack this thread. Did any of you guys read my post about torn dust boot covers after having my autospring kit installed?

I was hoping to get some comforting words, but got very little response. Also, do any of you know if torn dust boot covers is that big a deal? I usually keep vehicles about 5 years so if I leave them as is will I eventually have problems arise from them being torn?

 

Get it patched but have them do a tire swap with the spare then truck has all good tires

 

If the nail is located on the FLAT part of the tire ( you say its NEAR
the outside of the tire in the tread ) then a plug would be perfect
it's actually the best fix ( other then a new tire of course ) 'cuz the nail hole is smaller than the plug. Most plug failures occur from
improper application and air pressure winning the battle. And a little trim with a razor knife of the excess After it dries fixes the " there's something in my tire " look.

 

The plugs do seal the steel belts from water. Thats a big deal in states where they salt the roads in the winter...Kevin

 

I say plugs are only for a an ATV or lawn mower tire. There's no way I'd put one in my truck tire. or a car for that matter. You guys can run them if you want. I been dealing with and selling/servicing tires for 9yrs, But I know there are always smarter people than me.........


Shane

 

i would prefer the plug but get the tire balanced before too long after installing the plug.

 

attitude and mriley, if you don't mind taking time to educate me, what's wrong with plugs? so even small holes should be patched? cheers

 

I gotta add my vote for plugs. I grew up in a service station and learned how to repair tires both ways. I think that a properly applied plug is much more secure and causes much less additional damage to the tire than patching.

First of all, your reamer needs to be smooth/ slightly ridged and not burred like a rat tail file. The idea is to gently separate the steel threads in the belts enough to make room for the plug. If you use the wrong reamer, you cut the belts and create a weak spot in the tire. These cut steel belts can also sever your plug. Second, I prefer the rawhide colored plugs sold by Safety Seal. Camel brand is a close second. The rubber plugs are worthless.

I've plugged my own tires for 25 years and I've used plenty of plugs. I have never had a plug fail. I've had brand new Michelin tires sabotoged with roofing nails (they got several vehicles in the parking lot), plugged all 4 holes and ran the tires for years until they were bald without a problem.

If a hole is bad enough that I can't plug it, then I need a new tire. I've even plugged sidewalls before and ran them for a month or two until I could get new rubber. I will never pay for a tire repair as long as I have my professional plugging kit. The crap kits at Auto Zone are junk.

 

Well Rocky, Like I said, Others may be more educated in this area than me. You been doing tires for 25yrs, and I'm only 29yrs old......lol. Plugs may be fine, And like I said, or maybe not, I've used plugs in my 4 wheeler tires, just don't care to have one in my truck tire. I have never had a concern with a patch that I've put on. So I will continue to patch the tire. You guys can plug if you want to. They may be perfectly fine, I just don't trust them at high speeds. Like they always say "To each his/her own!!"


Shane

 

Ostuni
The last two flats I had were first plugged and then patched because the plug started to leak.

I have no faith in a plug. I also know first hand that if you have a nail at the shoulder of the tire, the manufacturer will not warranty the tire and it needs to be replaced.

3 nails in four years... Let's hope 2005 is a better year.

 

Just to throw a new contender into the ring: I believe that most of the patches now are a combination of plug and patch. Ive seen them put in and they work pretty slick. The patch looks like a nail and is fed through the hole from the inside of the tire. The patch is pulled up tight with the inside surface of the tire and the extra plug part sticking ousided of the tire is cut off.

And just to add my $0.02 for the whole plug vs. patch debate. I would never let anybody just plug an automobile tire. I've seen plugs ruin perfectly good tires.