Tire repair

[jpa...@greenwaylending.com]

Got the new Michelin primacy MXM4s and I love them (changed at 40k miles)
Unfortunately I found a nail in my tire and I'm debating where to repair it.
Any ideas of where I should go? I live in the Red Bank area in Monmouth County

Thanks

James

[Charlie Changchien]

James,

Sorry to hear your new tires got a nail.. where is the damage? Most of the local tire shops in Monmouth county can take care of it. But I been taking my cars to Front End shop in Farmingdale NJ, but that's a bit far from you.

http://www.frontendshopinc.com

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[Howard Horne]

Try your driveway. Not meaning to be a smart ass, you serously should have a pro grade plug kit and compressor (like Griotts, though without their name you will save a few bucks) in case you have a problem on the road. Much quicker than waiting for service if only s nail or something.  These days no one dismounts for plugs, so do your own.  If you don't know how, check you tube. Hardly rocket science.

Sent from my Galaxy mobile
Howard K Horne, MD

On Dec 12, 2014 10:04 PM, <jpa...@greenwaylending.com> wrote:

[Roger Kang]

If you're looking for a place that patches and doesn't plug (which I think you are) I think Larry's Sunoco on Rt. 1 near Princeton might still patch. Not 100% sure though. I'd call and ask. Their number is (609) 452-2848.

It just call around and see who patches vs plugs. Very few places still patch, I think. But it's better. 

[shot...@aol.com]

James, I also live in Monmouth County and any reputable garage can repair your new tire.  But, in the future, as Howard stated, you can easily repair it yourself.
Over 2 years ago, when I first got my MS, I was very concerned over getting a flat and the lack of a spare tire. I voiced my concerns on the forums and lots of  people
made light of the issue saying they've driven for 'X' number of years without ever getting a flat. Well, within 700 miles I had a flat, it was easily repaired locally but that
set me on an online quest to find the best tire repair kit available. And, I think I may have. It's the Nealy Repair Kit (tirerepairkit.com). It may or may not be good
for everyone in the group but everyone should check it out. I bought the Deluxe Kit for $21.95 & $2.00 shipping. If you decide to get this kit remember that
with tire pressure above 35 PSI the complete 14" strand must be used. I also bought a reaming tool on Amazon, just in case; and, someone had given me the Tesla

Tire Inflation Kit (but any compressor will due.) Thankfully, I have yet to use the Nealy Kit for a flat; but, I did blow out my left front tire while in a funeral procession
for my father-in-law this past spring on Rt 18 in East Brunswick near the Turnpike! Thanks to Mike in Springfield, within 15 minutes the car and I were on our way by flat
bed to the Service Center where a Tesla S loaner was waiting for me. So, although I missed the church I easily made it to the cemetery service. Can't say enough

about those Tesla guys.

Got the new Michelin primacy MXM4s and I love them (changed at 40k miles)
Unfortunately I found a nail in my tire and I'm debating where to repair it. 
Any ideas of where I should go? I live in the Red Bank area in Monmouth County 

Thanks

James

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[James Payor]

Thanks guys you've really been helpful. I think I will order the tire repair kit and do it myself since ITS NOT EVEN FLAT. I just noticed the nail in the tire and it's not even that close to the edge. I just always thought that a patch was necessary for a good repair job and that a plug was more of a Rube Goldberg job! 

I had a bad experience with my last set of tires on the Model S, As I had a nail and had it patched at a local place. They balanced it horribly, I had a wobble afterwards over 50 mph, partially stripped my Lugnuts from over torquing and had The Jack stuck under the car because they didn't know how to go into Jack mode. I had to go into the shop and help them. 

I think I will handle it myself.

I was also upset that I missed the Paramus opening, I had another business engagement but I wish I would have gone it sounded fun. The service center will have a lot to live up to, as the guys (and ladies) at Springfield ARE awesome.

J

James R. Payor

President

Greenway Mortgage Funding Corp

732-832-2967 X222

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Pardon typos and concision 

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[Charlie Changchien]

Poor balance job is always my on mind, and I also had a bad experience locally. That's why I was recommending Front End Shop because they use Hunter Road Force  balancer which Tesla also uses. It simulates the tire being on the road by contacting the tire to a roller.

http://www.hunter.com/balancer/roadforce/

I have had no balance issues at all with my cars done by this shop / equipment. So I would only goto a shop with road force equipment..

[Andrea Giangone]

Agree with Charlie on the Hunter. I use American Tire in Westfield but they have other locations.

Andrea
Sent from my HP Touchpad running Android

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[shot...@aol.com]

I use American Tire in Old Bridge as well. But, we don't always have that luxury in an emergency situation.
Obviously, re-balancing on a Hunter after any work being done to the tire and/or wheel would be ideal; but, it may not
always be necesary.

The Nealey plugs and patches, permanently, from the inside.
From their site:

WILL THE REPAIR CREATE A BALANCE PROBLEM?
NO. . . In 20+ years we haven't had a problem reported yet. If you put a bunch of repairs in small area you could possibly need to rebalance, but that probably won't ever happen.

Go to their website and read the FAQ's. It may be subjective but I think everyone should have one of these kits in their MS.

[Charlie Changchien]

True. But if you dismount to patch the inside, balance is needed. If the tire is a little out of round, machines without road force doesn't pick that up.

If you simply plug it, there is no need to balance.

[shot...@aol.com]

Charlie, this IS a plug but it permanently internally patches  from the outside without ever removing the tire. That's
what's unique about this "plug and patch" system. (Wow, I think I just created a hook line for them.)
So, I agree that if you plug you don't always need to re-balance.
With the Nealey it's like plugging and getting a permanent internal patch for free and you don't need to re-balance.

[Charlie Changchien]

Ahh, I see. Pretty neat. I have a repair kit as well, but the ribbons are not nearly as long as the set you got.

[shot...@aol.com]

Now you got it Charlie! And, I think, the ribbons are all rubber without a cotton core; so, as the tire heats it melts into a permanent patch on the inside of the tire.

Really neat!

[Andrea Giangone]

Just bought two sets. A short for the Tesla and a long for my wife's suv.

Andrea
Sent from my Galaxy S4

[James Payor]

I bought long ones for the model S 

James R. Payor

President

Greenway Mortgage Funding Corp

732-832-2967 X222

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[Carmine]

I think that's a good choice James.

Andrea, I thought for 35 PSI or greater the 14" ones are recommended. I would double check. If you want to change just email Matt and I'm sure there would be no problem. 

Carmine

Sent from my iPhone

[Andrea Giangone]

Thanks for the advice. I just wanted the shorter tool just in case the longer one does not fit on the rear tire.

[Charged Up & Out]

Please do not trust this "repair". I went on the above web site to check it out.

There is NO WAY anyone will make a Plug and Patch (the ONLY safe way to do it) by using this product.

It clearly shows a string type of plug. There is simply no way a string can make a patch. It can do a plug, but please, lets all consider: just exactly are we trying to accomplish?

First of all, there are really only 3 ways I am aware of, to "fix" a flat. 

The 1st way  is a basic plug. That is what this appears to be. By the way, it is illegal in NJ to plug a tire.

2nd way, is a patch.  It is kind of like when you may have patched a bicycle tire as a kid. This can only be done with the tire off of the rim. It is also a better way to fix a tire, as the tire technician can view the inside of the tire, inspect it for additional damage, debris, or anything else (like internal sidewall damage hidden from the outside, as could happen from hitting a curb while parking), and then if no other hidden damage or debris is found, make the proper repair.

 The major difference between the two types of repairs are:
A) the plug (#1, above), may slip out, if not done correctly; it can be done without removing the tire from the rim (while this may appear to be a benefit, actually, it is bad because there is a chance the initial thing that caused the flat (nail, screw, etc., may have a piece broken off inside the tire, and may cause additional problems down the road - read "far from home"). It can also slowly leak air, even if it does not totally push out. 

B) The patch is better because it seals all around the hole, from the inside, with a comparatively huge patch (as opposed to a "string". The only thing wrong with this type, is it does not fill the hole made through the tire. In a state like NJ, where there can be puddles (or other moisture) the exposed steel belts in your expensive, steel belted radial tire, could start to rust. However, when you consider that there is at least 40 lbs of air pressure pushing against the patch (helping to keep it sealed, and unlike the plug, which has that same pressure trying to push the plug out), you can begin to see why the patch is better than a plug.

C) Finally, please understand that the Tesla tire warranty (or any other tire manufacturer warranty) specifically will be voided if either of the above repairs are performed. So what, you may ask, is better? The answer is a combination of the two. It is simply called a "Plug and Patch" and it similar to a letter T, except the top part of the T is round. If you could imagine a small pancake with a nail sticking out of it, you can get the gist of what I am trying to describe. Of course, it is made entirely out of the same grade of rubber as your tire, can only be installed with the tire removed, and seals both the nail hole, preventing air from escaping as a slight leak, all while sealing the hole to prevent rusting of the steel belt, and it patches and seals the inside of the tire. Even more importantly, it will not void the warranty!

Now, I am not a tire salesman, repairer, or even in that business*. But as a MS owner, who has had (more than)his fair share of flat tires, I have done much research on this very topic. I also have a tendency to drive fast (sometimes very fast).

I have no intention of risking a blowout (which can be catastrophic) just to save a few bucks. And I am literally speaking of only a very few dollars here. I also am NOT accusing anyone here of that either. All I am saying, as a friend, and a fellow NJ Tesla Owner (even in Hawaii), is that I have done my homework, and you can all choose to benefit from it (or not). Further, I also found (after calling many repair shops) that Goodyear Service Centers all over the country do this exact repair. I went to the one on Route 130, on the North bound side, just South of the Route 33 merge. I believe it is in Hamilton. They fixed it properly for only $29 (including balancing)!

I feel that is a small, but fair, price to pay for doing the job correctly.

As a long time DIY, and hands on guy, I have always enjoyed doing my own work. However, in this case, I feel it is much better to let the pros handle it.

That is my two cents, and thank you to all who have read this to the end.

* For those of you who do not know me, I am in the security and life safety business. While I would never lie to you, or anyone else, the above thoughts are my own free ideas, and personal opinions. take them with a grain of salt if you wish. But do not use them outside this forum, nor blame me if you are one of those selling (or using) a product which, in my opinion, is inferior. After all, knowledge is power. And if you use the above product, or one like it, and the worst happens, you can never go back and say "Gee, I did not know that was a possibility". It is always better to err on the side of safety...

And like security, burglary or fire alarm systems, they should NEVER be based on cost...just on what it is you are trying to protect. What is that worth? Thanks again for your time.

[Roger Kang]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I did not know that plugging was illegal in New Jersey. So many shops plug tires these days.

[Dennis E. Dowhy]

usually if the nail/hole is in the sidewall it cannot be repaired safely at all using any method.  I would never trust a DIY plug - IMO they are **ONLY** good for emergency situation just so you're not stranded.  I would use a DIY plug only to be able to get myself to a tire repair shop and have them repair it professionally using the patch method if the hole is small enough and not in the sidewall.  Driving around on a DIY plug in a 5k lb car with 45 psi is just asking for more trouble.  It's a ticking time bomb.  

[Brian Schweppe]

FYI, I installed a plug after getting a small screw in the center of my tread a few weeks ago.  I took it to the tire shop to have it checked and they told me that they cannot install the plug & patch once you've already plugged the tire. So, depending on how you feel about it, if you install a plug on the side of the road you may want to be prepared to buy a new tire if you're not comfortable with a plug as a permanent repair.

Brian

928-273-2114 (cell)

[Charged Up & Out]

I neglected to say, No side wall damage (Nail hole or otherwise) can ever be repaired. Only holes in the center of the tread, as Dennis stated.

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[Carmine]

Exactly right. Side wall damage is not repairable. However, with this repair, which is permanent, there is just a rubber string, like your tire. You prepare the puncture site just as if you were plugging. The difference is that when the rubber cord is inserted, twisted and pulled out to the point that the tool is freed from the tire and the rubber is snipped, an inverted mushroom is formed in the interior of the tire. Pressure and the subsequent heat caused by the friction of rotation only helps to make this an ultra permanent repair. The higher the PSI the better. Remember, this company is in the breadbasket of the nation. They started using this repair on farm vehicle tires whose PSI's are well over 100 and a tire has never failed because of this repair. Obviously, plugging and patching with examination of the interior of the tire is the "Gold Standard" and cannot be disputed. But, plugging and patching by this method, which does not void you tire warranty, should, at least, be considered.

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[James Payor]

Thanks guys! Carmine is correct. For the type of repair I needed, this solution is perfect. I have a nail that is in my tire that went in perfectly straight and is in the tread that is the second one in from the edge, very easy to repair. I've been driving around with it for almost 2 weeks and haven't even lost a pound of air.

I will fix it today in my driveway and report back. 

J

James R. Payor

President

Greenway Mortgage Funding Corp

732-832-2967 X222

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