Is this nail puncture repairable?

[Pittpa]

Found a thin finishing type nail in the inside rear tread. My shop says it is too close to the shoulder/sidewall to repair. Any opinions/experience with this type of puncture?

Sponsored

 

[sk47]

Hello; Don't know if it was smart thing to do but I have plugged such punctures in tires before. In the same place.
Now let me say the tires I have plugged likely were not a low profile type that your tire may be. I think mine are 60 sidewall ratio. Also I do not run at real high speeds nor on a track.

I carry a plug kit in my vehicles. I have even once plugged a tire when away from home. It was a front tire and I discovered the nail right away. I drove to a service station with air. Turned the steering and rolled the car so I could get at the nail. Had my plug kit handy. Pulled the nail and plugged the hole before the tire went all the way down. Added some air and went on my way without having to take the wheel off.

If you get a plug kit pick one with a T handle. Makes working the rasp and inserting the plug easier.

One thing I do after plugging a tire is to run it on the rear for a while.

I do not know the answer to why the shop told you the tire should not be plugged. They may know something about the particular tire that I do not. That I have run on a tire plugged in about the same spot for years does not mean your tire is not in some way different. A plug in a sidewall is not a good thing, but I just do not know the why for in the tread in your case.

Good luck

 

[silverbullet85]

They said they couldn't replace because the tire is curving towards the sidewall, most reputable shops will only patch a hole if the spot is in a flat part of the tread. Judging by the pic it looks to be curving. I would just put a press in plug myself and spray some windex or soapy water to make sure it's not leaking after. I keep a slime tire plug kit in my car just in case

 

[AceS550]

Shops typically will not perform a tire repair with the puncture being so close to the sidewall for liability reasons. I have plugged nearly identical punctures in the past and have been ok. Of course, the safest repair is to replace the tire though.

 

[FreePenguin]

I feel they would
Mine was pretty much on edge and they repaired it this week

 

[NTXChris]

I'd plug that myself as well. I've done it many times. Keep an eye on tire pressure to make sure the plug seals properly.

It should go without saying, but once you plug a tire, you shouldn't do any track driving with it. If you autocross or attend HPDEs, replace the tire.

 

[Pittpa]

I got a second opinion at a recommended shop and they plugged/patched it for $25.

I feel they would
Mine was pretty much on edge and they repaired it this week

Sponsored