Fix a Flat (literally?)

Topic: Fix a Flat (literally?) (Read 2978 times) previous topic - next topic

Fix a Flat (literally?)

November 10, 2011, 02:54:55 PM

Picked up a nail in my pass rear tire recently (we've had a lot of roof work done in our neighborhood...ours included). It's WAY on the outer edge of the tire tread where they always say it's not repairable (ask how I know as my wife's Passat has the same tire flat with a nail yesterday!). I replaced all 4 tires just last year so this one is in really good shape...I hate to just trash it. But, is that really the only option I have? I've never heard anything good about the "fix-a-flat" canned stuff (especially for a long term repair...bad for rims, tire, etc.). The plug stuff you can get at auto stores still mentions to place a patch on the inside! :/

Thoughts? Or, do I just get a new tire and be done?

THX!

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #1 – November 10, 2011, 04:09:35 PM

As long as it isn't in the sidewall I always patch mine, never had one come out.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #2 – November 10, 2011, 05:11:33 PM

What do you use? Just that suff that looks like sticky licorice? Per the one I had tired to use on my wife's tire (got it in, never tried to test with air as her sidewall was damaged from driving on it underinflated) it says to still install a patch on the inside of the tire...can't really do that myself.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #3 – November 10, 2011, 06:03:55 PM

Well

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #4 – November 10, 2011, 07:08:17 PM

What Tom said. Plugs are meant to be a temporary repair, and if the hole is in the shoulder area (right near the edge of the tread) it can't be safely repaired. That canned fix-a-flat stuff is also a temporary repair (it'll say so right on the can) and using it will almost certainly cause a shimmy. The balance of the wheel will constantly be changing with several ounces of liquid sloshing about. This is especially true if it gets below freezing where you live...

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #5 – November 10, 2011, 07:16:48 PM

I agree that it may be a bust.

BUT, here's what I'd do. I'd plug the sucker with one of those gooey licorice plugs with a slathering of glue on it. Then I'd buy a can of Fixa flat and chuck it in the trunk in case it fails. If it does, you are out a couple bucks for trying.

I've had some good luck with plugs in the past or I wouldn't give you hope.

Especially with tires costing twice what they should!

JMHO

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #6 – November 10, 2011, 09:45:35 PM

Hi f

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #7 – November 11, 2011, 04:43:20 PM

Wow.

What do you call a hundred lawyers sitting at the bottom of the ocean?

A good start.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #8 – November 11, 2011, 09:10:06 PM

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #9 – November 11, 2011, 09:29:25 PM

years ago, I once had 13 plugs in my 1 work van tire.....

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #10 – November 12, 2011, 12:45:01 PM

Quote from: TOM Renzo;372510

Hi flyer here is the truth in a nutshell. If i as a licensed repair center plug a tire. And dont get me wrong i have seen thousands and it does work in my opinion. But i cant do it. State law forbids it. I know loosing a new tire is a bummer. But with lawyers and such as the world is i personally cant take a chance. The only thing by law we can do is an inside patch. A friend of mine was sued for 2 million when a customer bought in rims and tires to be mounted. He did it and 1 year later the customer over inflated the (OFF ROAD TIRES AND RIMS ONLY) The customer was inflating them at a gas station. By the way he installed double the amount of air and the tire blew off the rim on the inside. He was not hurt but claimed his hearing was compromised. By the way the company that made the rims were well out of business after this happened. A jury found my friend guilty any way. They calmed as an authorized tire dealer they should have worned the customer on the invoice. You see Jury's are people that think business people are floating in CASH and that they should pay no matter what. The case is under appeal. Either way my friend looses.

Tort reform. Quite obviously that was a fraudulent claim. Sucks to be that guy.

I say Plug it and keep a can ready to go like flylear45 said. If you're that broke it is what it is. Be prepared to pay out if anything nasty happens though. It's your responsibility.

THIS is the only truth.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #11 – November 12, 2011, 04:07:31 PM

Quote from: bike70ride;372487

What do you use? Just that suff that looks like sticky licorice? Per the one I had tired to use on my wife's tire (got it in, never tried to test with air as her sidewall was damaged from driving on it underinflated) it says to still install a patch on the inside of the tire...can't really do that myself.

Car and light trucks I use the leather push in plugs with rubber glue, heavy truck tire I use rubber patch placed on the inside of the tire.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #12 – November 12, 2011, 04:31:52 PM

I think Tom is just saying he can't say to plug one. I understand that.

I had a '69 Spitfire with 1 week old tires (back in '83). Ran across some nails in the road and all 4 had holes. I was a flat broke SOB at the time and plugged all those tires. I never had any problems with them and I sold the car many years later. It worked for me.

I don't care for the sealant goo you spray in the tire. I used it on my lawnmower, but not on a road vehicle. Only as an emergency measure, and tell the tire place that stuff is in there!

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #13 – November 12, 2011, 06:20:22 PM

I hate plugs, and only will use patches inside. That's what most of the places around here use, but if they suggest a plug, I tell them to do an inside patch.

If you can find a place to patch it, run it. The location of the hole leads me to believe that you won't be able to, but it's worth a shot.

Fix a Flat (literally?)

Reply #14 – November 12, 2011, 06:37:53 PM

No shop will patch that in that location due to legal reasons. Plugs work great. Never had a problem with them. Fix-a-flat not a good idea. Plug it n go! Due to the location, I would not go very fast. I recommend replacing the tire as soon as you can afford to.