JoePal

I caught a nail in my tire this morning on my way Home from my second job. So I took it to the place where I got my tires because I paid for the road hazard warranty. It's still held Air in the tire so they were going to take care of it at no cost to me.

I got it back a few minutes ago and I saw this sticking out of the hole.






I don't know much about this kind of stuff but I think there's a difference between a patch and a plug. I asked specifically for a patch because I think that's where they have to take the tire off the rim and fix it from the inside. But this picture makes me think that that's not what happened. can you guys tell just by looking at it or is this just a normal part of the patch process?

I tried to call up there to ask but they're not answering at the moment. it was really busy today. they had it for close to three hours. Plus I trust this forum more than those guys

BassAckwards

I can tell by looking at it and from what you explained that you took it to Discount Tire.

We use a plug AND patch system as this is reccomended guidelines for tire repair by the Rubber Manufacturers Association.

We drill out a hole just smaller than the plug, and these plugs aren't like those orange sticky temporary plugs. These plugs are made of a similar rubber compound than your tire, and will wear along with your tire.

We then glue the plug in the hole and it's already a tight fit. We clip off any excess and lightly buff the inside of the tire around and on the plug smooth.

Lay down some quick dry cement place down a patch over the plug, roll out all the air to ensure good contact with the glue. And then place a Repair Sealer (Tar) Over the patch as well.

The patch ensures the hole will no longer allow air to escape and the plug keeps water from getting under the patch which will cause any patch without a plug to fail.

It's a pretty fail proof system. Hope that helps and alleviates any worries!

Green Gem

The system BassAckwards stated sounds good, but I'm under the impression that a repair using only a plug went out when radial tires came on the market. Had your puncture been on the sidewall, neither type of repair would be acceptable IMHO.

Green Gem

BassAckwards

Correct a sidewall puncture is unrepairable. No matter what anyone tells you it is just plain unsafe and you risk a zipper rupture. Also correct about the plug only method. This is why we use both a plug and patch.

Those orange sticky temporary plugs are just that temporary. Only meant to get you to a shop who can properly repair it. If you keep stuffing more temporary plugs, making the hole bigger, into the tire, it will also become unrepairable. Can only fix a hole about 1/4 inch in diameter, the plug has to have a right fit.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I never had problems with plugs, but yes a patch is the correct way.

djfllmn

iTrader: (1)

never had a problem with a plug either but use a patch/plug combo...the only downside is it requires breaking the tire down to put the patch in

RLXXI

I keep a plug set and air compressor in my vehicles just incase. That repair could be what I use to use when I worked at Goodyear, it's a combination plug and patch, we had a special gun like tool that would install them but the tire had to be dismounted because you do it from the inside.

JoePal

Thanks, man. That's what I needed to hear. I didn't want some quick job just to clear the bay, but it sounds like I've got nothing to worry about. I appreciate it.

GM Guy

I had no idea they did both the plug and the patch. A plug is nothing more than a temporary repair to get you to to repair place. Thanks for sharing the procedure.

BassAckwards

Yeah it's a lot more involved of a process than people realize lol. I wish there was a way to do it quicker, cuz I'm pretty fast at it but my guys can still rotate and balance the other 3 tires before I can finish a flat repair.

Average flat repair for my company is about a 15-20 minute job. Assuming the flat is easily visible and you don't have to dunk it and all that crap.