Who plugs tires?

[Lineman North Florida]

I use them, and generally have had good luck. Even when they dont work, they often get the leak to a point its manageable. Work truck (which gets free service), ive had many many, but they do a whole dismount and a patch-plug combo.

What i find funny/stupid, the tire shops that won't plug a tire. "Liability" they say, but its really to sell tires IMO. Even bigger holes, you can force 3 plugs into and get more life out of it.

What exactly is a patch plug combo ? I've seen patches and plugs but have never seen the two used together to patch a tire, I don't even understand how the two could work together.

 

[paulsharvey]

What exactly is a patch plug combo ? I've seen patches and plugs but have never seen the two used together to patch a tire, I don't even understand how the two could work together.

It works same as a patch including prep and all, but it has a "core" or leg that they pull on from the hole, and that peice gets trimmed off inside the hole just like a plug.

 

[eolesen]

Legal repair? Is there a state board of legal tire repair methods?

Lawyers for the tire chains. They don't want the liability.

 

[Runner]

Lawyers for the tire chains. They don't want the liability.

Exactly, same reason you can't get them to install a tube anymore.

 

[paulsharvey]

Sounds like dang Walmart tire shop... size difference than shown in computer, won't install; speed range doesn't match, can't install, load range doesnt match, same thing. So, what I do, I order on Walmart.com, and pick up in store, and take them to an actual tire shop. Yes, tire shop is expensive (like $120 to mount and balance 4 tires), but they are good to work with.


Like or hate Walmart, their tire prices are about as good as you can find Anywhere

 

[duffer]

Talked to mgr at Sam's about mounting tires that were a different size than what they are replacing. Evidently, the trick is to just bring in the wheels (with old tires) and say it's for your trailer. Then no problem. You have to buy the tires from them, but usually I don't have a problem with that either.
Otherwise I use Tire Rack and ship them to my house.

And I always plug my tires. Can't justify paying some minimum wage guy in the shop $25 to put a 10¢ patch on the inside of my tire.

 

[scootr]

I've been happy with tirerack.com
They will mount and balance on your new wheels or deliver to your tire shop

 

[lman]

I've been going to the Tire Rack headquarters for purchasing and installation.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have bought my last 4 sets of tires through E-bay and use there service to deliver the tires to a tire shop in my area who is one of their installers and for $99 they mount and balance new tires , re-install on vehicle and dispose of my old tires, absolute best price and service that I have found. I have always tried to buy local but I refuse to pay $500+ for the same product so I can say I bought local.

 

[paulsharvey]

Tire and lube shop i go too, ive been taking work vehicles there for probably 10+ years; so, every tire problem, PM service, and any new tires. So, I've probably sent them $10k in PM services alone, probably another $10k in tire work; and also recommend them to atleast two more of our fleet drivers. So, they treat me pretty well. They are expensive, but they are trust worthy enough to drop a tire off at the door and swing by in evening, and if past close; my tire will be there ready to go, and I just need to swing by and pay during regular business next day.

BTW, Revels Fast Lube, Starke, FLa. They arent "fast" or "cheap" but they are good, and not that much more than a 5 minute oil changes place...

 

[WinterDeere]

Exactly, same reason you can't get them to install a tube anymore.

I had always thought that tubes inside tubeless tires at road speeds were legitimately dangerous, due to friction and heating at high speed. Not true?

I use them in tractor and mower tires, when all options to remain tubeless have been exhausted, but never even considered a tube in an on-road vehicle.

 

[Runner]

I had always thought that tubes inside tubeless tires at road speeds were legitimately dangerous, due to friction and heating at high speed. Not true?

I use them in tractor and mower tires, when all options to remain tubeless have been exhausted, but never even considered a tube in an on-road vehicle.

Don't know about cars/trucks, I've only used them on old, rusty trailer wheels (which they still wouldn't put tubes in), and have never had a problem.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Legal repair? Is there a state board of legal tire repair methods?

Not sure what entity decides these things, but for a tire to be repaired it has to be dismounted and the liner sealed from the inside. A plug is not a legal repair.

I've been happy with tirerack.com
They will mount and balance on your new wheels or deliver to your tire shop

If buying tires and wheels, which I sometimes do, be aware that while Tire Rack uses good Hunter balancers, they run them with the Smart Weight function on.

That results in a less than perfect balance, so the first thing I do is balance them correctly, then put them on the vehicle. There's often quite a difference between where and how much weight is needed to achieve perfection vs. as delivered.

 

[scootr]

Not sure what entity decides these things, but for a tire to be repaired it has to be dismounted and the liner sealed from the inside. A plug is not a legal repair.

If buying tires and wheels, which I sometimes do, be aware that while Tire Rack uses good Hunter balancers, they run them with the Smart Weight function on.

That results in a less than perfect balance, so the first thing I do is balance them correctly, then put them on the vehicle. There's often quite a difference between where and how much weight is needed to achieve perfection vs. as delivered.

I did get 1 out 8 that needed a balance correction

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I had always thought that tubes inside tubeless tires at road speeds were legitimately dangerous, due to friction and heating at high speed. Not true?

That's partially why the inside of the tire should have talcum powder or something similar applied, to lessen the friction.

And most wire wheeled cars run tubeless tires with tubes in them.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I did get 1 out 8 that needed a balance correction

And how did you tell?

By it being bad enough that you felt the vibration, or by running the tire and wheel on a road force balancer?

 

[scootr]

And how did you tell?

By it being bad enough that you felt the vibration, or by running the tire and wheel on a road force balancer?

Yes bad enough I could feel a vibration at a certain speed. I moved it around until I determined which one it was. Had it rebalanced, problem solved.

 

[fidowanttobe]

BTW, Revels Fast Lube, Starke, FLa. They arent "fast" or "cheap" but they are good, and not that much more than a 5 minute oil changes place...

Thanks! But quite a cruise for me, . . . . .
It's sure nice having a local that you can drop off tires with just a phone # when closed.
I've had a LOT of tubes in tires that don't get moved often and I prefer them for that waaay over tubeless. Stay full for years.

 

[DarkBlack]

Not sure what entity decides these things, but for a tire to be repaired it has to be dismounted and the liner sealed from the inside. A plug is not a legal repair.

Say what..a legal repair? What’s a “legal repair” mean exactly? Tire companies say don’t fix their tires? That’s not a law. Again, Says who? Where?
NH has always had strict vehicle inspections, and a tire with a functioning gummy worm repair is completely legal.
You speak like you’re insinuating the entire country… I’m genuinely curious where you’re getting this apparently federal law from, that Ive never heard of.
Sorry gotta call bs

 

[Too many Kubotas]

And here I thought it was common knowledge. Guess it's not.

Anyway, tire manufacturers, the DOT, the Tire Industry Association, USTMA, and others have pretty much all agreed on what constitutes a legal repair.

There must be lots of easily obtained information on the subject, but I'm not into spoon feeding so you're on your own for the specifics.