Fun with Tire Plugs...

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toddjb122

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Over the years I have gotten a few screws in either my tires or my wife's. Not often, but it happens. If it's center of the tread (not sidewall) I use the standard auto store plug kit and haven't had issues. Pull the screw, stick in the rasp tool, then put the plug in and trim it. Solid, every time and never thought twice about using them as it is an immediate fix at home without running to a tire shop...

So, I had a screw last month in my Nokians and did the usual plug repair. I'm now have a slow leak. I lose 1-2 psi a week. I went to a couple tire shops and they won't touch a tire that has been plugged. They say the warranty is void and if the steel belt was compromised and the tire blows, they would be liable. So, for running over a screw, the only option they give is to buy a new tire if you don't bring it to them to remove the screw from the start.

Does anyone have suggestions to re-do the repair? I do not have the capability to remove my tire and patch from the inside.

I have seen some people use the plugs and gum them up pretty good with glue to further glop up the hole. I have never removed a plug before so I don't even know if that's worth doing.

Thanks for any tips. If I have to buy two new tires, I will, but wanted to check for options first.
 

jlglr4

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I agree - that’s what I’d do. Maybe go to a smaller tire shop as well. Sounds like some corporate BS to me. What does warranty have to do with anything? And I don’t see why the liability would be any different.
 

TrinidadLR4

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find a different shop. None of the shops I've used for tire repair care about it already being plugged, etc. If the leak is in the plug, they'll pull it out and put a new one in. That policy is asinine.
 

toddjb122

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Okay, I'll try another. They were both franchise places so that could be part of it. It seemed like a clear policy when I asked... didn't even want to discuss it.
 

cperez

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You mentioned *some* people using glue...are you saying that you did not apply a big *** of rubber cement to the plug before inserting it? I have always considered that a critical and necessary step. If you didn't use glue I would consider redoing it first. However it may be tough to pull the original plug out if it's worn down flush to the tread. May have to shove it all the way through.
 

ktm525

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you can try a little tire slime. Are you sure you are losing air at the plug?
 

djkaosone

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Ironically I ran over a plug screwdriver at an angle (edge of sidewall and towards the center) and had to plug it with 4 plugs in the field, but failed.

seems crazy but....remove plug, install screw, go to new tire shop? lol

I went to the first tire shop and they said plugging it in the field voided the road hazard warranty that I paid for. He helped me load the spare back into the trunk and whispered, "Remove the plugs and put the nail back in and go to another location." Sadly, worked like a charm and under warranty.
 

Robbouchard

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I used slime in a tyre after having a slow leak and not being able to find the leak. Leak is fixed but I now have a slight vibration caused by the slime throwing the tyre out of balance.
 

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