DIY tire plug? [Archive] - bimmerfest

jeff330i

10-16-2005, 04:24 PM

Today i woke up to find a flat rear tire, and after I swapped it for my donut i found a nail in the middle of the tread. I'm assuming it's safe to plug since it's nowhere near the sidewall, so i purchased a "Slime" tire plug kit from autozone. Now i'm wondering it its a good idea to do it myself or to go somewhere and have someone do it who knows more about tires.
Also i read in the archives about a "plug and patch" which requires unmounting of the tire. But there's nowhere within 5 miles of here that i'd trust removing a tire, plus tires never really line up the same after they're used and then removed (thus a little wobble). Should I:
a) DIY the plug
b) have a tire store do the plug
c) go elsewhere and do a "patch and plug"

tia

chuck92103

10-16-2005, 04:29 PM

What the hell, do the plug, if it holds air, life is good, if not, it will most likely hold enough air to get you to a place you trust.

there is no manual for tires, everyone has an opinion.

wag-zhp

10-16-2005, 04:39 PM

A single, small nail or screw, in the tread, and not at the edge where it could damage the sidewall, is repairable, and diy-able. Once the repair cement has fully bonded with the tires rubber the repair should be permanant. I would feel a little unconfortable doing such a repair during a high speed track day, but for auto-cross or daily driving at speeds below 70 or 80 mph the repair should be fine.

jeff330i

10-16-2005, 09:31 PM

so a plug should be sufficient without the patch?

Nick325xiT 5spd

10-16-2005, 09:43 PM

Just plug it. It's easy. I carry a plug kit in my glove box.

Artslinger

10-17-2005, 05:31 AM

Have a shop do the patch from the inside, and they can check for any damage with the tire off the rim.

wag-zhp

10-17-2005, 08:48 AM

so a plug should be sufficient without the patch?
Yep.

Pinecone

10-17-2005, 12:53 PM

For piece of mind and safety, I prefer the plug-patch that is the only method of repair authorized by most manufacturers of steel belted radial tires.

Desertnate

10-17-2005, 12:59 PM

I'd probably go for a patch at a tire store if available. Some tire chain stores do them for free.

3LOU5

10-17-2005, 02:54 PM

Here's what I'd do:

Plug it. It's unbelievably easy, and you don't even have to take the tire off. (Well, you could because it makes it so much easier). Five minutes and you're done. :thumbup:

During this time, I'd try and shop for a reputable tire shop. Only then I'd have them take the tire off and patch it from the inside.

Have them balance it and you're all set ! ;)

Pinecone

10-17-2005, 04:16 PM

Problem is, if you do the plug, many shops will NOT then patch it.

Why not take the wheel/tire, DRIVE to teh store/shop (he has the spare on it) and have them fix it right?

If he was 100 miles from teh nearest town and had no other transportation maybe, but this is not the case.

BTW DO NOT put the Slime in your tires. Nobody will touch it after that.

Artslinger

10-17-2005, 05:40 PM

jeff330i

10-17-2005, 11:06 PM

Slime is toxic stuff and not good for some poor unsuspecting tire changer. Only use slime as a last resort.

oh no i didn't slime it. Slime just makes a plug kit that i bought.

Pinecone

10-18-2005, 05:05 PM

Actually not really toxic, but it makes a MESS.

chuck92103

10-18-2005, 05:09 PM

It sounds like carrying a plug kit in the car is not a bad idea.

Are they all the same or are some better then others?

Taking a road trip soon and even though I have run flats, I would like to fix a potential flat if possible.

Artslinger

10-18-2005, 07:49 PM

Actually not really toxic, but it makes a MESS.

Maybe I'm thinking of that old crap fix-a-flat in a can.

Pinecone

10-20-2005, 05:31 AM

Not toxic, but explosive. :) The EPA in banning CFC has caused manufacturers to find other propellants for spray cans (and fix-a-flat is bascially a spray can). So now they use a propane-butane mix. So just about EVERY spraycan is a bomb and highly flammable.