tire plugs

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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.
 
Plugs are fine on nail holes. Anything bigger I'd be Leary.
Wasn't even a framing nail, more like a finish nail, so that's good

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.
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
 
Nothing's gonna be hurt making the hole big enough for a plug
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.
 
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.
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.
 
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.
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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