2007-04-03 13:20:31 · 12 answers · asked by marketinsider 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Plugs on passenger car tires are a hold-over from the bias ply era. A plug is not an approved repair for a radial passenger tire and the use of one will void the manufacturers warranty on you tire.
According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association - and all tire manufacturers will concur with this - the only proper way to repair a tire is with a patch or a combination patch-plug from the inside.
Rope plugs can be dangerous for a number of reasons. Just the act of installing them can cause belt separations that lead to catastrophic tire failure and possible injury. I've seen this happen more than a few times. Also, There is a very serious danger the tire could have suffered serious internal damage which is not checked when using a plug. I have seen many hundreds of flat tires that looked fine on the outside but when dismounted from the rim for inspection revealed inner-liners that were absolutely shredded from being driven on while flat. Someone shoving a plug in isn't checking for that.
Plug at your own risk.
(edit)
Hey, whaddya know. I had a customer come in today with a leaking rope plug. Took the tire off the rim and the inner-liner was absolutely wrecked from run-flat damage.
Like I said before - plug at your own risk.
ASE Certified Automotive Service Advisor
2007-04-04 02:47:22 · answer #1 · answered by Naughtums 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plugs work and don't work .But a patch plug (looks like a nail only it is rubber) has a patch to seal off the point of puncture inside the tire.And a plug to fill the hole that was made all the way back to the tread surface .PERFECT WAY TO FIX A TIRE AND THEY LAST THE LIFE OF THE TIRES .It is howeaver not recomended to use on sidewall punctures as the wall flexes a lot more than the tread area .And patch plugs come in varied sizes and lengths.
2007-04-03 20:49:56 · answer #2 · answered by dinosaur 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Assuming that you use your vehicle for normal day to day driving, a plug will last just as long as the tire itself. A lot of shops used to take the tire off the rim and patch it from the inside, but that takes time and with plugs, you can keep the tire on the car while you fix it. It is fast, affordable, and yes, it will last. You can either go to a shop to have it done, or you can do it in your garage or driveway yourself. I would recommend if you do it yourself to have an air compressor at hand because you will definately loose air when you plug the tire and you might loose enough where you can't drive the car to a gas station for air.
2007-04-03 20:40:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's a great way to fix a flat. I've fixed 100's of them before using plugs and if done right a plug can last longer than your tire will.
You'll need a tire plug kit: reamer, insert tool, razor blade and plug.
-Fill the tire with air.
-Find the leak with soap and water, you'll see it bubbling.
-Check to see if there is a nail or object still stuck in the tire, if so, remove with needle nose pliers.
-Insert reamer in the hole and ream it with 2 or 3 strokes.
-Thread plug half way thru into the insert tool, needle nose pliers may help with this and if your kit came with lube use a little bit to help thread it. Do NOT use anything else to lube it.
-Remove reamer and insert plug and leave about a 1/4"of the ends sticking out.
-Remove insert tool
-Cut the plug with a sharp razor flush with the tread.
-Check for leaks, check tire pressure, and drive.
In my tire plugging days there has been a few that was able to be repaired. If the hole is in the side wall or too close to the side wall, plugs rarely will work. And if the hole is too large or is slit shaped or too close to another hole there could be problems.
Best of luck!
2007-04-03 21:32:33 · answer #4 · answered by shagy153 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The proper fix for a radial tire is a patch applied from the inside. That being said, I have never had a problem with a properly inserted plug. I also have never tried plugging a sidewall. A small hole in a sidewall can sometimes be patched from inside. Larger damage always means replacing the tyre or it will blow out.
2007-04-03 20:33:32 · answer #5 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've used the plug kits and have never had a problem with them. All of the holes were in the tread section of the tire. I would enlarge the hole and run a rat tail file through them. Then I would dip the plug into the glue and then push the plug into the tire.
It's always worked for me. So good luck.
2007-04-03 20:36:18 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on how it's done. Never have a plug or a patch installed on the sidewall. Plugs work but it is better to have a patch type plug installed from the inside of the tire. This prevents moisture from seeping in through the casing.
2007-04-03 20:32:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Properly installed, a plug can last the life of the tire. In an emergency, I put 3 plugs into the sidewall of my atv tire. ATV tires ony run 3 to 5 psi and flex a bunch, but the plugs held. Plugs are fine to put in a tire.
2007-04-03 20:25:55 · answer #8 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's been my experience that a repair shop won't put a plug in your tire if it's not safe to do so. Therefore not all punctures can be "plugged". But if the shop plugs the tire then it will be good for the life of the tire. So rely on the experts on this one and take the tire to a certified shop, they will tell you if it can be repaired or not.
2007-04-03 20:31:10 · answer #9 · answered by patti duke 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are good but only a quick fix, and that is what they are for, definately not to keep driving on for 100s of kms/miles. (Due to tyre wear they will become very unsafe) Its best to get a new tyre ASAP. Dont risk your life or anyone elses.
2007-04-03 20:26:01 · answer #10 · answered by Spastikus 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋