To patch or to plug...
 

Just a quick question.

I found a screw in my right rear tire. Fortunately it is between the treads and not in the sidewall. It appears to be penetrating the tire in the straight down direction. My tires are ZR rated with less than 2K on them and I'm looking to preserve the as much strength as I can in the tire.

So should I have it patched from the inside (which is what I think I should do) or should I have it plugged?

From the inside, always. Plugs and pull out.

Hmmmm..Ok, I'm not a tire manufacturer, (so i can't say absolutley) but I would take it to a good tire place that sells the tire brand you have. They might say "No", based on the ZR rating. Then it's up to you.

Inside repair is the prefered method of sealing it.

Patch it - only way to go. I've had a number of Z rated tires patched. Plugs are only good if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. I carry them when I go on long trips.

Patch the tire and you will be fine.

I thought plugging wasn't allowed anymore? At least that's what the tire guy told me here in CA a couple years ago.

I would patch anyways.

Patch the tire from the inside.

If it can be easily patched (just a small puncture), it is still Z-rated.

This was on an old thread...

IIRC, a patch from the inside means you can still use the tire, but it loses its speed rating.

Plugs are not a well regarded repair technique any more...

Obviously the above might not hold true for a tiny pinhole or something, but...

Whether or not the tire retains its speed rating varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. For liability reasons (they aren't going to inspect every flat tire), many just throw and in the towel and tell you to buy a brand-new tire.

Use your judgement. As long as the belt isn't cut (most nails and screws don't cut the belt), the tire is still perfect.

My best top speed run was done on two patched tires without any worries.

(Kinda related subject... can aircraft tires be patched? Does the FAA allow it?)

Good question. I think that regardless of the FAA, everyone would rather just replace the tire than take a chance with a patched tire. My dad would never patch one of the tires on his plane.

I've got a good friend who is chief mechanic for a Gulfstream IV. I have to ask him.

I can't imagine a 747-400 with a brand-new $$$ tire with a slow leak needs to toss it out... maybe?

I'll ask my dad what he would do as well. I think he would replace it, but maybe not. I'd like to know as well.

Dave

EDIT: I do know that the tires on his plane do loose air from time to time and we will check pressure and fill if needed, but I don't know what he would do if the tire had a visible nail, staple, etc...

That was my point above. I imagine there are specific requirements for the tire to be a candidte for repair. Size of screw/hole, etc.

Also, tires are made of plies of belts..each one different and wrapped in different biases. If the screw went thru the carcass, it's thru something or somethings! Point being, speed ratings, like ZR have specific requirements, and you should be aware of what you'll own when it's repaired. Might not be a ZR tire, and that might be fine, but you need to know.

Y'all might enjoy this pic -- I couldn't decide whether to patch it or plug it...


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1150785104.jpg

I think that'll buff right out!
:D

That will take TWO patches, then it's Z-rated again. The wheel may need some polish too.

If you drive at ZR speeds you should replace the tire. It will be okay for 65 mph, but I doubt you drive that all the time, especially if you track the car.

Just do a back of the envelope calculation on how many G's a tire sees, spinning at ZR speeds. I certainly wouldn't want to spin a patch around like that.

In Germany, it is illegal to patch high speed tires.

Be safe, George

we just replace them. man if your that cheap w/an aircraft tire............you deserve what you get! being cheap w/a porsche is one thing. being cheap w/a plane will get you dead real quick!

I just got done plugging a hole in my x5 tires. Maybe its the size, but these tires seem to pick up screws and nails everywhere. Most garages won't plug a tire, why? Because it would force them to not sell you a new one. I would not recommend them for track tires, but as far as being z or higher rated tires, how many actually drive a sustained 120mph for an hour or so? I've never had a plug fail. In fact, I've found tires with worn out nails in them that must of had a few 100 miles on them with no air loss. If it was me, I would plug it until you could get it to shop and then have them remove it and patch from the inside.

I fly them for a living and used to twist wrenches on them (A&P licensed mechanic) and patching is not allowed, period. Aint even discussed anywhere. Does not matter what the cost is, we just put a new one on the plane.

That said, there are not many things lying on runways to get stuck in tires. We have "FOD" (foreign object damage) trucks out with magnets that sweep the runways at many airports, keeping damage like this to a minimum.