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Flat tires. Didn't we just do this?

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Stormin Mormon

unread,
May 15, 2012, 9:28:54 PM5/15/12
to
Went out to take care of a couple errands. I was on a
limited access highway, going about 55 MPH in a
65 MPH zone. The truck started to make some awful
noise in front. I pulled over, off the side of the road.
Get out and look. Right front tire, was rim on the
ground. Bummer.

Small air compressor. Hook that on, and ran it for two or
three minutes. No help. Can of stop leak fix a flat,
puncture seal, or some other brand. Then put the
compressor back on. No help. Still, rim on the ground.

Called AAA, they sent a guy out with a tow truck. He had
a floor jack and cordless impact wrench. Made short work
of the tire change. I do have a screw up jack, but it's under
a lot of other stuff. And, I do have a lug wrench.

When we got the tire off, I could see the BIG hole, bubbling
cheerfully away. I marked the location with a Sharpie pen,
on the sidewall.

Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
some new ones.

Learning moment. The insert tool I got, had a tip like a
closed top U. It pulled the cord right back out. Went in
doors to modify it, (bench grinder; metal content) make
it J shaped instead. Then, it worked. Need to make sure
my insert tools are J shape, in the future. When I buy
them. I checked the other insert tool, in my other vehicle.

Inflate the patched wheel. Will see in the AM, if the air
holds. If it holds, I'll put the wheel back on (matched
tire, matches the side) and put the spare back under.

Didn't we just discuss flat tires? Must have, right?

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.


Steve W.

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May 15, 2012, 11:06:54 PM5/15/12
to
Stormin Mormon wrote:
> Went out to take care of a couple errands. I was on a
> limited access highway, going about 55 MPH in a
> 65 MPH zone. The truck started to make some awful
> noise in front. I pulled over, off the side of the road.
> Get out and look. Right front tire, was rim on the
> ground. Bummer.
>
> Small air compressor. Hook that on, and ran it for two or
> three minutes. No help. Can of stop leak fix a flat,
> puncture seal, or some other brand. Then put the
> compressor back on. No help. Still, rim on the ground.
>
> Called AAA, they sent a guy out with a tow truck. He had
> a floor jack and cordless impact wrench. Made short work
> of the tire change. I do have a screw up jack, but it's under
> a lot of other stuff. And, I do have a lug wrench.
>
> When we got the tire off, I could see the BIG hole, bubbling
> cheerfully away. I marked the location with a Sharpie pen,
> on the sidewall.


If the hole is in the sidewall the plug won't hold for long. Too much
flex. BUT you should be able to repair it with a normal tire patch from
the inside.


>
> Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
> black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
> some new ones.

I have a few different plug kits, a couple use the rubberized string and
my favorite uses a mushroom shaped plug made of rubber. That thing is
slick. It uses a pistol shaped tool to press the plug through an
insertion needle, when you pull it back out the plug seals against the
inside of the tire and if you use the correct cement it becomes a
permanent part of the tire. Not real cheap but it works great.

http://www.compacc.com/p/Stop-Go-Tubeless-Tire-Plug-Gun-Kit

>
> Learning moment. The insert tool I got, had a tip like a
> closed top U. It pulled the cord right back out. Went in
> doors to modify it, (bench grinder; metal content) make
> it J shaped instead. Then, it worked. Need to make sure
> my insert tools are J shape, in the future. When I buy
> them. I checked the other insert tool, in my other vehicle.
>
> Inflate the patched wheel. Will see in the AM, if the air
> holds. If it holds, I'll put the wheel back on (matched
> tire, matches the side) and put the spare back under.
>
> Didn't we just discuss flat tires? Must have, right?
>
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> www.lds.org
> .
>
>


--
Steve W.

Stormin Mormon

unread,
May 16, 2012, 7:40:39 AM5/16/12
to
>
> When we got the tire off, I could see the BIG hole, bubbling
> cheerfully away. I marked the location with a Sharpie pen,
> on the sidewall.


If the hole is in the sidewall the plug won't hold for long. Too much
flex. BUT you should be able to repair it with a normal tire patch from
the inside.

CY: If the hole was in the sidewall, I could have seen the hole with the
tire mounted. Had to take the tire off, which suggests....... and I put the
sharpie pen mark on the side, so I could find the hole, later. There was a
lot of latex goop on the tread, from the..... (four letters, starts with
h...) so I didn't sharpie on the tr......

>
> Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
> black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
> some new ones.

I have a few different plug kits, a couple use the rubberized string and
my favorite uses a mushroom shaped plug made of rubber. That thing is
slick. It uses a pistol shaped tool to press the plug through an
insertion needle, when you pull it back out the plug seals against the
inside of the tire and if you use the correct cement it becomes a
permanent part of the tire. Not real cheap but it works great.

http://www.compacc.com/p/Stop-Go-Tubeless-Tire-Plug-Gun-Kit

CY: Well, that looks effective. Forty two bucks, would be worth it if you
had a shop, or if the tool got you down the road after a flat.

rbowman

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May 16, 2012, 9:41:01 AM5/16/12
to
Stormin Mormon wrote:

> CY: Well, that looks effective. Forty two bucks, would be worth it if you
> had a shop, or if the tool got you down the road after a flat.
>

http://www.amazon.com/Dynaplug-1007-Tubeless-Tire-Repair/dp/B000EXSER4

Stormin Mormon

unread,
May 16, 2012, 10:33:35 AM5/16/12
to
Writing late at night, tired, thirsty, and a little
less than coherent. I'll rewrite the post, and see
if I can make more sense.

Take two!

Went out to take care of a couple errands. I was on a
limited access highway, going about 55 MPH in a
65 MPH zone. The truck started to make some awful
noise in front. I pulled over, off the side of the road.
Get out and look. Right front tire, was flat as a
pancake, on the bottom. Bummer.

Found my small air compressor. I'd used it a couple
days ago, with a friend's soft tire. Hook that on, and
ran it for two or three minutes. The tire did not inflate.

Dug in a tote of stuff in the back. Got out a can of stop
leak fix a flat, puncture seal, or some other brand. Squirting
the entire can of stuff in, did not raise the rim off the ground.

Then put the compressor back on. Still, rim on the ground.

Called AAA, they sent a guy out with a tow truck. He had
a floor jack and cordless impact wrench. Made short work
of the tire change. I do have a screw up jack, but it's under
a lot of other stuff. And, I do have a lug wrench. But, I figure
I pay for AAA, and may as well use it.

When we got the tire off, I could see the BIG hole in the tread,
about 1/3 of the way in from the outer edge of the tread. The
latex and presure are bubbling cheerfully away. I marked the
location with a Sharpie pen, on the sidewall. Didn't think the pen
would write on wet latex.

Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
some new ones.

Learning moment. The insert tool I had in the storage tote
in the back had a tip like a closed top U. It pulled the tar
cord plug right back out. Went in doors to modify the
plug tool, (bench grinder; metal content) make it J
shaped instead. Then, it worked. Need to make sure
my insert tools are J shape, in the future. I checked the
other insert tool, in my other vehicle. It was J shaped.

Inflate the patched wheel. Will see in the AM, if the air
holds. [yes, it did] If it holds, I'll put the wheel back on
(matched tire, matches the other side) and put the spare
back under. [The spare is held on by two big nylon tie
wraps, and two coat hangers. The winch and crank
mechanism rusted and stopped working, long time ago.]

Ed Huntress

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May 16, 2012, 10:44:22 AM5/16/12
to
The closed loop is intended to be used with a string that you leave
longer on one side than the other. You push the short end ALL THE WAY
INTO THE TIRE. Then you twist the needle and pull it out.

I don't like those because you can't be sure you have a good wad of
string left on the inside. They're Ok for very small holes, like from
small nails.

Winston_Smith

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May 17, 2012, 12:13:04 AM5/17/12
to
On Tue, 15 May 2012 21:28:54 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>The insert tool I got, had a tip like a
>closed top U. It pulled the cord right back out. Went in
>doors to modify it, (bench grinder; metal content)

I'm sure the folks on r.c.m will be both surprised and pleased to
learn a grinder can be used on metal. All these years they thought it
was only good for wood and plastic.

Damn, you will go to any stretch to make your cross-posting relavent,
won't you?

Flint

unread,
May 24, 2012, 11:10:57 AM5/24/12
to
On 5/15/2012 11:06 PM, Steve W. wrote:
> Stormin Mormon wrote:
>> Went out to take care of a couple errands. I was on a
>> limited access highway, going about 55 MPH in a
>> 65 MPH zone. The truck started to make some awful
>> noise in front. I pulled over, off the side of the road.
>> Get out and look. Right front tire, was rim on the
>> ground. Bummer.
>>
>> Small air compressor. Hook that on, and ran it for two or
>> three minutes. No help. Can of stop leak fix a flat,
>> puncture seal, or some other brand. Then put the
>> compressor back on. No help. Still, rim on the ground.
>>
>> Called AAA, they sent a guy out with a tow truck. He had
>> a floor jack and cordless impact wrench. Made short work
>> of the tire change. I do have a screw up jack, but it's under
>> a lot of other stuff. And, I do have a lug wrench.
>>
>> When we got the tire off, I could see the BIG hole, bubbling
>> cheerfully away. I marked the location with a Sharpie pen,
>> on the sidewall.
>
>
> If the hole is in the sidewall the plug won't hold for long. Too much
> flex. BUT you should be able to repair it with a normal tire patch
> from the inside.

I've found it best to use both plug and patch on sidewall repairs.
Just be sure to cut the excess plug material off from the inside
before attempting to apply an inner patch. It's not a bad idea to try
to neaten up the exterior of the sidewall by trimming the excess plug
material there too as most states will fail a sidewall repair on
inspection. Then touch up the spot with a tiny dab of a bonding
primer with a dab of black silicon layered on top of that to conceal
the repair blemish so it looks almost invisible. Then rebalance the tire.


>
>
>>
>> Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
>> black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
>> some new ones.
>
> I have a few different plug kits, a couple use the rubberized string
> and my favorite uses a mushroom shaped plug made of rubber. That thing
> is slick. It uses a pistol shaped tool to press the plug through an
> insertion needle, when you pull it back out the plug seals against the
> inside of the tire and if you use the correct cement it becomes a
> permanent part of the tire. Not real cheap but it works great.
>
> http://www.compacc.com/p/Stop-Go-Tubeless-Tire-Plug-Gun-Kit
>
>>
>> Learning moment. The insert tool I got, had a tip like a
>> closed top U. It pulled the cord right back out. Went in
>> doors to modify it, (bench grinder; metal content) make
>> it J shaped instead. Then, it worked. Need to make sure
>> my insert tools are J shape, in the future. When I buy
>> them. I checked the other insert tool, in my other vehicle.
>>
>> Inflate the patched wheel. Will see in the AM, if the air
>> holds. If it holds, I'll put the wheel back on (matched
>> tire, matches the side) and put the spare back under.
>>
>> Didn't we just discuss flat tires? Must have, right?
>>
>> Christopher A. Young
>> Learn more about Jesus
>> www.lds.org


--
MFB

Stormin Mormon

unread,
May 24, 2012, 11:25:37 AM5/24/12
to
If I ever get a sidewall hole, I don't trust patches or plugs. I'd think
replace.

In my case, the hole that I got plugged fine, and it's held air since then.

Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
.

"Flint" <agen...@section31.org> wrote in message
news:jplj1n$fh6$1...@dont-email.me...

Nicholas

unread,
May 24, 2012, 3:32:58 PM5/24/12
to
On Thu, 24 May 2012 11:25:37 -0400, "Stormin Mormon"
<cayoung61***spam...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>If I ever get a sidewall hole, I don't trust patches or plugs. I'd think
>replace.

First thing CY ever said that I can agree with 100%

>In my case, the hole that I got plugged fine, and it's held air since then.

2nd thing I can agree with.

Lg

bates2012

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May 24, 2012, 3:45:11 PM5/24/12
to
On May 15, 8:28 pm, "Stormin Mormon"
Well, the truck I just bought has no spare tire. I have a jack and lug
wrench already. Maybe for a while Ill do like they do for the new
Camaros and just carry a big can of Fix-A-Flat. Thats all they come
with I hear. I have plugging tools, but only one plug, so I guess Id
better go get some more.
Luckily I have a parts truck to go look at soon. Maybe it will have a
spare on it.
NB

rbowman

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May 24, 2012, 9:53:12 PM5/24/12
to
Flint wrote:

> Then touch up the spot with a tiny dab of a bonding
> primer with a dab of black silicon layered on top of that to conceal
> the repair blemish so it looks almost invisible. Then rebalance the tire.

I was sitting in my truck in Denver one night when one of those specials let
go on one of the trailer tires. Considering the venue, my first thought was
I was taking fire from some gangsta. It's pretty dramatic in a tire that's
running 110 psi. The mechanics weren't happy with my attitude when I got
back to the LA terminal.

rbowman

unread,
May 24, 2012, 9:56:43 PM5/24/12
to
bates2012 wrote:

> Well, the truck I just bought has no spare tire. I have a jack and lug
> wrench already. Maybe for a while Ill do like they do for the new
> Camaros and just carry a big can of Fix-A-Flat.

Fix-A-Flat saved my butt after some yahoos in Knoxville managed to screw up
three out of four tubes when mounting new tires. However, with tubes, the
mess is mostly contained. The tire guy will love you after you empty a big
can of slime into a tubeless tire.

terryc

unread,
May 24, 2012, 11:20:33 PM5/24/12
to
On 25/05/12 01:10, Flint wrote:

> I've found it best to use both plug and patch on sidewall repairs.

not allowed to repair sidewall punctures in this country. Problem with
"blowouts" at high speeds on modern vehicles.

Flint

unread,
May 25, 2012, 3:05:40 AM5/25/12
to
I agree it isn't inspect-able, and most garages/shops won't do them,
but I know of several that will repair sidewall punctures. I've done
it myself on a few occasions over my 35+ year driving history, and
I've had no problems with the ones I have repaired.

BTW, blowouts on *any* vehicle at higher speeds is hazardous, be they
new or used tires. Having said that, the legality of sidewall repairs
and the degree of risk in doing so are two different issues. The
legality does not mean that in some cases it can't be done with a high
degree of safety. Fuck the nanny state...

--
MFB

J. Clarke

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May 25, 2012, 9:30:13 AM5/25/12
to
In article <jpmtq1$egp$2...@dont-email.me>, newsnine...@woa.com.au
says...
Funny we didn't have that problem at the same speeds with less modern
vehicles. Some politician with not enough to do, as usual.


rbowman

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May 25, 2012, 10:05:52 AM5/25/12
to
J. Clarke wrote:

> Funny we didn't have that problem at the same speeds with less modern
> vehicles. Some politician with not enough to do, as usual.

I blew a rear tire at about 90 one night. After a brief inspection, I
continued on my way. There wasn't much left of the wheel when I got to where
I was going, the wire from the tire bead was wrapped around the axle, it was
sort of noisy, and the highway department probably didn't appreciate the
groove I carved, but only having three working wheels didn't slow me down
too much.

That's one of the reasons I've never been too keen on buying used rental
cars. I never treated Mt. Hertz's equipment very gently.

cl...@snyder.on.ca

unread,
May 25, 2012, 2:40:51 PM5/25/12
to
On an old bias ply tire you COULD repair a small sidewall puncture,
with a better than 90% chance of it holding as long as the rest of the
tire if it was done "right".
Today's fires are radial ply - and repairing a sidewall puncture
successfully is a whole lot less likely, due to the difference in tire
construction. I repaird a lot od bias ply sidewalls over the years,
but I won't waste the time and take the risk on a radial.

Winston_Smith

unread,
May 25, 2012, 5:28:03 PM5/25/12
to
On Fri, 25 May 2012 09:30:13 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<jclark...@cox.net> wrote:

The sidewalls on the lower profile tires flex more. That's the
difference between then and now. It was the tire and automobile
companies that made the change. Other than that, I do like to beat
up on politicians.

J. Clarke

unread,
May 25, 2012, 6:58:01 PM5/25/12
to
In article <vckvr7lg5g06nqhsc...@4ax.com>,
cl...@snyder.on.ca says...
Had a brand new set of S-rated Michelins. Got a nail in the sidewall.
Told the guy to patch it. He argued with me at length, I said to Hell
with it, took it home and patched it then took it back and told him to
balance it. 35,000 miles later when a drunk in a Pinto attempted to
commit suicide-by-Volvo there had been no problem.

Now, it may make a difference that it was a tube-type tire, but I've
never been averse to sticking a tube in a tubeless.




cl...@snyder.on.ca

unread,
May 25, 2012, 9:03:27 PM5/25/12
to
On Fri, 25 May 2012 18:58:01 -0400, "J. Clarke"
A small nail hole can sometimes be repairable - if it goes BETWEEN the
threads of the body cords. If it damages the cord, ALL bets are off.
A cut is not repairable. And if water can get into the fabric, it can
deteriorate quite quickly.

As for tubes, ONLY radial tubes should be installed in ANY tubeless
tire.

rbowman

unread,
May 25, 2012, 9:52:22 PM5/25/12
to
Winston_Smith wrote:

> The sidewalls on the lower profile tires flex more. That's the
> difference between then and now. It was the tire and automobile
> companies that made the change.

I found it a little disconcerting last night when I got out of the car and
shut the door and noticed the sidewall flexing. I pushed the side of the car
a little and sure enough the car isn't too firmly connected to the tread. I
handles okay, but as soon as the OEM tires are used up I'll look for
something stiffer. I've tightened the bikes up from the factory jello, I
guess the car is next.

Gunner Asch

unread,
May 26, 2012, 2:58:42 AM5/26/12
to
How bout going to the wrecking yard and snagging an actual spare tire
from an identical model?

Gunner

--
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry
capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency.
It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an
Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense
and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have
such a man for their? president.. Blaming the prince of the
fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of
fools that made him their prince".

bates2012

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May 26, 2012, 3:14:14 PM5/26/12
to
Better than that, I found a local guy with a Ranger the same year as
mine. Went yesterday and bought his spare for $20. I also bought both
of the front corner (parking?) lights for another $20 as mine were
busted. Just got finished puttin those on. Found out that the Ranger
had a little winch like deal that pulls the spare up under the bed. My
old Chevy truck jack handle worked fine on it, as should the old jack
if I have a flat. I have a 4-way lug wrench, but I guess I better
check to be sure it will fit the lug nuts.
This local guy I got the parts from stripped a gear in his 5 speed, so
he plans to put a V-8 and new tranny in it and make a toy out of his
truck. His has the same 2.5 liter motor, so I told him to call me when
he pulls it as I might buy it. He said it had about 300K miles on it,
but never any problem, no knocks or smoking. Said he had put about 3
timing belts on it over the years, a new water pump and alternator. If
a man had it, and stick some new rings and bearings, etc. in it and
crate it up, he would have one ready to go if he ever needed it, or
sell it if that be the case. I dont know what a decent price would be
for the motor, maybe $100 ?
NB

CanopyCo

unread,
May 27, 2012, 7:37:11 PM5/27/12
to
I used to work for a tire recapper back in the late 80’s.

We repaired any hole in the tread or sidewall that was not within 2
inches of the bead.
Then I worked for another red neck shop that did the same thing with
homemade gear.
Section repairs on car and truck tires with 2 electric irons hooked to
a C clamp to melt the new rubber and reinforcement into the repair.
I can repair a hole big enough to stick a pop can threw in either a
car or truck tire and have it hold long enough to use up the tread
that is left.

They came up with a bunch of regulations regarding what happens to the
tires that you take off a car and throw away so we no longer could get
as many used tires to work with, so the shop shut down.
No pity on the guy running the shop, considering that he was doing the
exact crap that got the regulations put into place in the first place.

Now that even a car tire is $100, I may look into getting the gear to
go into that again.

terryc

unread,
May 27, 2012, 10:43:56 PM5/27/12
to
On 28/05/12 09:37, CanopyCo wrote:

> Now that even a car tire is $100, I may look into getting the gear to
> go into that again.

I changed vehicles and went from car tyres(LT) costing $66 to stuff that
starts at $250 (wide crap). Repair one with a puncture in the tread and
replaced another when the hub on the camper trailer broke and it blew
out(or the other way around) and shredded the sidewall.


Bruce L. Bergman (munged human readable)

unread,
May 29, 2012, 1:36:29 PM5/29/12
to
On Thu, 24 May 2012 11:10:57 -0400, Flint <agen...@section31.org>
wrote:
They still sell sidewall repair patches at NAPA, they are big things
that look like a 6 x 6 gauze pad mated with a tire patch, with bias
reinforcements. And you'll need the big electric-heater vulcanizing
clamp to apply them properly - I have to find myself one before it's
necessary.

BUT I would only use these on a farm implement tire (10 MPH max), or
a light duty around town use - that patched highway tire instantly
gets turned into the Spare and you treat it really gently if you ever
have to use it on the road.

>>> Stop on the way home, bought a couple more tire plug, the
>>> black cord with the tar. I had a couple, but figure to buy
>>> some new ones.
>>
>> I have a few different plug kits, a couple use the rubberized string
>> and my favorite uses a mushroom shaped plug made of rubber. That thing
>> is slick. It uses a pistol shaped tool to press the plug through an
>> insertion needle, when you pull it back out the plug seals against the
>> inside of the tire and if you use the correct cement it becomes a
>> permanent part of the tire. Not real cheap but it works great.
>>
>> http://www.compacc.com/p/Stop-Go-Tubeless-Tire-Plug-Gun-Kit
>>
>>>
>>> Learning moment. The insert tool I got, had a tip like a
>>> closed top U. It pulled the cord right back out. Went in
>>> doors to modify it, (bench grinder; metal content) make
>>> it J shaped instead. Then, it worked. Need to make sure
>>> my insert tools are J shape, in the future. When I buy
>>> them. I checked the other insert tool, in my other vehicle.
>>>
>>> Inflate the patched wheel. Will see in the AM, if the air
>>> holds. If it holds, I'll put the wheel back on (matched
>>> tire, matches the side) and put the spare back under.
>>>
>>> Didn't we just discuss flat tires? Must have, right?

I have had good luck with the "Mushroom" style plugs on ATV tires in
the field - Never had a need to do it on a car.

The big problem is the tire shops and their liability insurance
companies - all these problems still could easily be fixed, but the
insurers don't want to be on the hook for millions per incident of
either outright stupidity or "You knew it was dangerous to use that
tire on the road and you did it anyway - And now that you've had the
accident, you go looking for deeper pockets to pay you back for your
stupid decision."

So the insurers don't allow shops to do those repairs any more.

--<< Bruce >>--
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