tire plugs

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diymirage

diymirage

HP@idle > hondaHP@redline
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got the duster out of storage this morning and wouldnt you know it, there was a nail in one of the rear tires

i brought it to a local tireshop and they put a plug in it
they are about done anyway but i think i can get another season out of them

what is the general consensus on tire plugs, do i need to be a little extra cautious with it or just run it?
 
Modern plugs basically heat up and melt into and become part of the tire. Run it. It'll be fine. I consider a plug better then a patch, because it fills the hole and dirt cannot get in like it can and work a patch loose.
 
Kendog 170 said:
Plugs are fine on nail holes. Anything bigger I'd be Leary.
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Wasn't even a framing nail, more like a finish nail, so that's good

RustyRatRod said:
Modern plugs basically heat up and melt into and become part of the tire. Run it. It'll be fine. I consider a plug better then a patch, because it fills the hole and dirt cannot get in like it can and work a patch loose.
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Cool, Ive installed them once or twice myself but wasn't aware of them melting into the existing tire

I did notice they left a little tail on it, but I figured that will wear of soon enough
 
RustyRatRod said:
Nothing's gonna be hurt making the hole big enough for a plug
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Except cutting cords.

I would rather have a properly installed interior patch to cover a small finishing nail sized hole then ream out the pin hole to 1/16" or bigger and glue a plug in.
 
Dana67Dart said:
Except cutting cords.

I would rather have a properly installed interior patch to cover a small finishing nail sized hole then ream out the pin hole to 1/16" or bigger and glue a plug in.
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Yeah, but the nail (or whatever) has already done that so what's the difference at that point?
 
Working in construction, my tires picked up a lot of nails over the years. I bought a plug kit and fixed my own tires.
I averaged between 35,000 and 45,000 miles a year commuting for out of town jobs so I went through a lot of gas, tires, brakes and oil changes,
I still have this truck though...

R2 482.JPG


January 2024 I took this picture...

999AA.JPG
 
Thank you.
As weird as it seems, it is as if I am charmed. Good luck often falls my way and I am grateful for it.
On the Ram forum, only one other guy has stood up to post that he had more miles on a gas engine than I do. He was at 438,000 on a 5.7 like the one that I have.
 
Tire plugs are perfectly fine unless too close to the sidewall. My wife has a bad habit of getting nails and screws in her tires. I bought a plug kit at NAPA about 5 years ago, and it's one of the best things I bought. I have dug out so much metal from her tires in the last 5 years, that she told me I deserve the Tee shirt that says if it's got tits or tires your gonna have trouble. Anyways, when I road trip I take my tire plug kit and a lithium ion battery operated air compressor. Never had to use it, but it's nice to have with me.
 
moparmat2000 said:
Tire plugs are perfectly fine unless too close to the sidewall. My wife has a bad habit of getting nails and screws in her tires. I bought a plug kit at NAPA about 5 years ago, and it's one of the best things I bought. I have dug out so much metal from her tires in the last 5 years, that she told me I deserve the Tee shirt that says if it's got tits or tires your gonna have trouble. Anyways, when I road trip I take my tire plug kit and a lithium ion battery operated air compressor. Never had to use it, but it's nice to have with me.
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If it's pointed the right way I'll plug the sidewall and do 110
 
Keep in mind that radial tires when flexing have a sawing action on the "plug". This can result in the tire spitting the plug out, or air seeping between the plies and causing a separation. I only use plugs as a temporary fix and as soon as I can, I have the tire repaired with a patch. Our cars are to valuable to us to chance destroying a tire and crashing our cars. Just my .02, others may disagree.
 
If done correctly I have never had a issue with them. If the tire was cut by glass I would not use a plug but a plug/patch combo but you still have to make sure it's a correct repair. For me plugging a nail hole is all good. But I do not plug sidewalls.
 
I found a product called Liquitube that I really like. It does not leave a mess like slim. I have repaired lawnmower,Polaris Rangers, tractor, big truck tires and anything else that goes flat. Instructions say it will repair 3/4" holes in big industrial tires. A gallon with tax is about $100 and I have fixed several small tires and 1 dump truck tire on 1 gallon. I am on my third gallon and haven't had to repeat a repair yet, Joe
 
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