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Folks don't let brokemillwrite fool you. That was the ghost of brokemillwrite who typed that up. His truck blew all for tires and then they fell off because of the spacers. But it's ok, I'm putting spacers on next week so I'll have a beer with him when mine fall off. (teehee)
I grew up in the 70's hanging out at my father's gas/service station (remember those?) helping the mechanics and pumping gas at the full service pumps. Those were the days before they had lawyers on every corner and the entire world wasn't in fear of lawsuits. My dad's shop used to plug tires for customers all the time. They were cheap and they worked.
Dad taught me that most cheap plug kits came with a reamer that was burred and would cut the steel belts in the tire, making it weaker. He used Safety Seal plugging kits where the reamer is smooth sided so it separates the steel belts without cutting them. The plugs are tough and durable, not just rubber plugs that will break. I remember once back in my 20's getting three roofing nails in a 1 month old Michelin tire on my truck. I pulled into a gas station with a free air pump, plugged all three holes, filled the tire with air and drove on that tire until it was bald without another leak.
These days nobody will plug a tire for you because of 'liability' (most don't know what that means) but they will gladly charge you for dismounting the tire, patching it from the inside, remounting and rebalancing. Thankfully you can still buy Safety Seal plug kits online. I've given mine away a dozen or more times over the years to friends and associates and just buy another. You can find them easily enough using Google. Just pick up a cheap pair of diagonal wire cutters to throw in the kit for pulling out nails.
This is the best post in the thread. The plugs are covered with a sealant that will both hold air and keep out moisture. I've plugged many offroad type tires with plugs and ran them until the tread was toast. Big holes ( a sharpened screwdriver) and small ones (roofing nail, screws). I've also felt the steel belts getting caught when using the rough reamer and later had unbalanced tires as they got old. So the smooth tool tip is on target. The hardest part is learning how to get the plug through the hole and positioned, then getting the tool back out. Otherwise, you can do it in your driveway in about 20 minutes, with the wheel still on the vehicle. Just put a jack stand under to hold it up when you pull the bolt out.
It's definitely a DIY thing though. If you're used to having your work done by a shop then just take it in and pay the $20 or more to have a patch put on the inside. Don't forget to pay the rebalancing fee too, they'll probably pop the weights off and won't get the tire back in the same spot it came off.
So I checked to see if the tires had road hazards, unfortunately they did not. The bolt ended up being a broken exhaust stud with the nut still on it and it was buried up pretty good, so much that the nut was also in the tire and made the hole too big to plug. I ordered a new tire, should be here Friday...
So I checked to see if the tires had road hazards, unfortunately they did not. The bolt ended up being a broken exhaust stud with the nut still on it and it was buried up pretty good, so much that the nut was also in the tire and made the hole too big to plug. I ordered a new tire, should be here Friday...
Yikes, that sucks!
As far as plugs go, I've plugged my trailer tire when I got a flat in the forest. It's been going strong for thousands of miles. Also, while driving cross country got a screw in our car tire in Utah that created a slow leak. Had to stop in every town driving across Nevada. Finally stopped at a Walmart, bought a plug kit and cheapo compressor. Fixed it right up and it's been going strong too. Those tires are now almost bald and in need of replacement. Yes, there's better options, but plugs have worked for decades so in an emergency I'll definitely use them.
As far as plugs go, I've plugged my trailer tire when I got a flat in the forest. It's been going strong for thousands of miles. Also, while driving cross country got a screw in our car tire in Utah that created a slow leak. Had to stop in every town driving across Nevada. Finally stopped at a Walmart, bought a plug kit and cheapo compressor. Fixed it right up and it's been going strong too. Those tires are now almost bald and in need of replacement. Yes, there's better options, but plugs have worked for decades so in an emergency I'll definitely use them.
I really just didn't to take a chance on a hole this big, especially since I drive my family often in this... Better safe than sorry, just sucks to have to spend another $250!
I really just didn't to take a chance on a hole this big, especially since I drive my family often in this... Better safe than sorry, just sucks to have to spend another $250!
I was just sharing my opinion about plugs, not trying to sway you. I definitely would have done the same as you in this situation cause that's a gigantic hole for a tire!
One reason plugs are not the best option and why they are only temporary is that the steel belts can saw through the plug and have them fail. This is mostly true for rubber plugs, but the fibrous ones are designed to put up with the sawing action that the belts might do.
The main reason that plugs should not be used alone is that they don't seal the innerlining, and the reason patches should not be used alone is that they don't seal up the hole.
I found a 1/2 bolt in a nearly new BFG AT one time. I put a couple of plugs in the hole and wore the tire out...Not advocating it.. Just telling the tale.
Back when I was younger and poorer, I have also had tires with big punctures tubed.
Last edited by 77Ranger460; May 15, 2019 at 03:07 PM.
