Why I love tire plugs, Confessions of a tire dealer

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by markb422

Those cannot be used from the outside as in an emergency roadside repair that can be used to get to a shop to have a proper repair done.
When I was in the car repair business, way back when, we used a plug gun that inserted a soft rubber mushroom looking plug. You reamed to hole a little then put the plug in the "barrel" and inserted it from the outside. The mushroom head would expand once inside and with using some vulcanizing solvent it sealed as you withdrew the tool. We would just cut the nub off flush at the outside. At the time there were not many steel belted tires around but I would drive on a plugged tire under the tread was gone.

Absolutely correct. These are the correct repair units you will be going to the tire shop for

There are several repair units that are outside-in types for emergency use. Usually available at auto parts stores as a kit. ONLY TEMPORARY.

As for the "rubber rivets", haven't seen them since 1968. About the time radial tires were starting to take over the American auto scene. Everyone wanted their "Mich-lins".

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by ACJCF2

I've always been a cold patch man. That is if the puncture is were it can be used safely. Never had an issue with a patch.

Nobody does "hot patches" anymore except on the super large tires like used on Rock Trucks, Loaders, etc.

All "chemical vulcanized" now.

I kind of miss the old "sizzle patches" that used a heater cup that you lit and it sizzled like a piece of cannon fuse.

[SS Sixteen O four]

I carry them for emergencies but always go in and get the proper repair asap. I think its especially critical when you have the weight of a camper on your truck.

[jenandjon]

I hate plugs also. But that said I use a bunch of them. Mostly in lawn mower tries and such. I keep a plug kit in my rig for emergency. In the event I need to use a plug I always hit a tire shop to fix it the right way. If it ruins the tire, then so be it. At least I wasn't walking.

Chances are if my trailer tire goes flat the side wall will probably be ruined by the time I see it.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by jenandjon

I hate plugs also. But that said I use a bunch of them. Mostly in lawn mower tries and such.

The "ATV" crowd uses a lot of them as well as dealers repairing ATV tires. Two simple reasons. First, they are not highway vehicled. Second, trying to take some ATV tires off the wheels will result in a damaged or destroyed wheel. In short, dismounting these tires can be a real "monkey wrestling match". Solution is to merely put a "Plug" in, inflate, and keep on getting dirty

"Slime" is becoming real popular in lawnmower tires around here. Put it in the tire in advance and it seals the thorn punctures before air loss occurs.

There is a place for these methods, just not on the highway (except in emergencies).

[SalemNB]

My son got a flat and he drove on it. Took it to the tire shop and they removed the tire and there was a pile of rubber bits that came off the inside of the tire. If we had just plugged the hole, we would have never known about the extent of the damage and he could have had a tire blow out. So I assume that, if your driving when the tire slowly goes flat, it wouldn't take very much of a distance to cause this kind of internal damage.

That said, I still always have a plug kit in my truck. I got two flats on my truck once during a week long camping trip. The truck was sitting on the campsite when both tires went flat. Had to get a lift into town to find a plug kit. Drove home the 1.5 hour trip, keeping a close eye on the TP Sensor numbers, with no problems. Went out and bought new tires the next day.

[youroo]

Tire Plugs are a way of Life for Lawnmower,3 wheelers and any other Yard/Woods/Farm vehicle! Thorn trees are a way of life and if you had to dismount a Tire Every time ,you would Never get your work done! Tire Plugs have a Need! Youroo!!

[wmtire]

Last customer from a few minutes ago had plugged his tire this morning at his house and aired it up. Here is what the inside sidewall looked like when we took it off.

Both of us were lucky. The customer for at least making it here without the tire blowing out or in his face as he reinflated it.. and me for getting the sale. Cha-ching.

I told him I was taking the pics for this thread and he said he may join and chime in.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Last customer from a few minutes ago had plugged his tire this morning at his house and aired it up. Here is what the inside sidewall looked like when we took it off.

Both of us were lucky. The customer for at least making it here without the tire blowing out or in his face as he reinflated it.. and me for getting the sale. Cha-ching.

I told him I was taking the pics for this thread and he said he may join and chime in.Attachment 249413Attachment 249414

Aren't those bumps for more traction in mud?

[mike.t]

When I was a service writer for an automotive repair shop two of our commercial accounts had quite a few trucks, One was a heat and A/C company, the other was a plumbing company. Don't remember how many of those trucks(along with others that came in) had tire plugs put in them. Never,NEVER, had any issue with a plug. If done correctly of course Hell, tire shops use plugs..

[Rgpigeon]

Originally Posted by hobienick

For an emergency roadside repair I see no issues with using plugs to get you somewhere for a proper repair or replacement. Using a spare is great, until a second tire has an issue.

Exactly. If you are really camping and not clamping it maybe your best option. Now I would get it taken care of as soon as practical. (trailer) I have seen many of plugs being used on Highway vehicles with no problems. It either works or it don't. Lol I have seen tire repair facilities use them!

[Rgpigeon]

Originally Posted by 5picker

i don't advocate tire plugs either... But... They do have a place.

I've been back in the woods cutting lumber and poked a white thorn or two into a tire and a rope plug and an air tank has kept me from walking a mile or so through the brush.

I always replace the tire if i made a temporary plug if it is an on-road tire. I simply won't take the chance that i may have damaged some steel cords by doing so even under temporary/emergency conditions. A patch inside won't repair broken cords.

👍👍

[wmtire]

First leaking plug of the day awaiting the vulcanizing cement to dry so I can patch.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by wmtire

First leaking plug of the day awaiting the vulcanizing cement to dry so I can patch.Attachment 249491

At least it looks like the plug installer followed the hole. I don't see a second hole next to the plug.

[SS Sixteen O four]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Last customer from a few minutes ago had plugged his tire this morning at his house and aired it up. Here is what the inside sidewall looked like when we took it off.

Both of us were lucky. The customer for at least making it here without the tire blowing out or in his face as he reinflated it.. and me for getting the sale. Cha-ching.

I told him I was taking the pics for this thread and he said he may join and chime in.Attachment 249413Attachment 249414

I'm curious, what caused this? Over inflation? Defect?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by SS Sixteen O four

I'm curious, what caused this? Over inflation? Defect?

What causes this is from just forcing a string plug in. There is nothing inside the tire to keep air from working its way in, around, and sometimes thru the string plug and edges of hole.

If the air cannot find a pathway out, it can start separating the belts, liner, and body cords...as shown in the picture.

Not a defect or similar. It's just simply an improper tire repair.....and no tire manufacturer will warranty it.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by wmtire

What causes this is from just forcing a string plug in. There is nothing inside the tire to keep air from working its way in, around, and sometimes thru the string plug and edges of hole.

If the air cannot find a pathway out, it can start separating the belts, liner, and body cords...as shown in the picture.

Not a defect or similar. It's just simply an improper tire repair.....and no tire manufacturer will warranty it.

Amen. And many Dealers won't even repair a plugged tire for this very reason. Those that do usually explain to the customer that they accept no responsibility for any subsequent failure (separation, etc) due to the fact any damage was caused by the 'plugging" individual.

I find it interesting that with all the regulations that control the manufacture and use of tires, there are no regulations requiring proper service repair on passenger cars and light trucks. Tires are an integral part of vehicle safety yet after it leaves the factory-----------???????

Ditto for brake service but that's an entirely different "food fight".

[mike.t]

Forgive my confusion, don't understand this

If the air cannot find a pathway out, it can start separating the belts, liner, and body cords...as shown in the picture.
Why would we want the air to find a pathway out?

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Forgive my confusion, don't understand this

If the air cannot find a pathway out, it can start separating the belts, liner, and body cords...as shown in the picture.
Why would we want the air to find a pathway out?

Plugs don't always seal. Tons of engineering goes into the inner liner of a tire to reduce permeation of air under pressure.

Plugs are kind of like wood pegs driven into a hole in as metal tank. Fluid (air in the case of a tire plug) can still pass through any porosity in the wood (plug). In a tank the fluid usually is small. In a tire the air enters the cord body and combined with heat of operation, separates the tire body. Nothing to separate in a tank.

A proper patch is the only way to repair the inner liner and that's from the inside.

[nrkmann]

Plugs are illegal in the EU and I would guess for good reason.