Flat Tire...to Plug Or Not To Plug... - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

bull27 · 08-23-2006, 09:31 AM

Hey all just I was driving out of my garage this morning, I noticed that I had a flat front left tire. I was unable to see any type of foreign object sticking out of it (nail, glass ect.).

Should I have this plugged or do you think it is best to purchase a new tire? I put 18"'s on the car so the tires are more low profile than the stocks. I was just wondering if plugs are prone to pop out during high speed turns.

Thanks for your input in advance.

NickCats · 08-23-2006, 09:36 AM

Post from last week regarding tire repair / replacement :

http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7091

bull27 · 08-23-2006, 10:03 AM

Thanks Nickm should have searched for it, apparently the answer is to replace the tire. I hate to throw away an expensive tire with no wear on it for a small hole, that SUX

CJ_Boxster · 08-23-2006, 10:25 AM

Do this, IF the foreign object isnt in the sidewall...Dont plug the hole, Take the flat tire to a tire ship and have them Patch the tire...NOT PLUG...some plugs have the tendensy to leak and or fallout if not installed correctly. Never the less, plugs were originaly intended for temperary use not as a permanent solution.

Patching is much more safer, reliable and the tire shop will balance your tire after installing it back onto the rim.

MNBoxster · 08-23-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ_Boxster

Do this, IF the foreign object isnt in the sidewall...Dont plug the hole, Take the flat tire to a tire ship and have them Patch the tire...NOT PLUG...some plugs have the tendensy to leak and or fallout if not installed correctly. Never the less, plugs were originaly intended for temperary use not as a permanent solution.

Patching is much more safer, reliable and the tire shop will balance your tire after installing it back onto the rim.

Hi,

FYI, the DOT/NHTSA recommends that a Radial Tire be repaired with both a Patch and a Plug. This will involve demounting the Tire to do the work and so will need to be balanced upon remounting as well. See: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html about 2/3 down the page. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Perfectlap · 08-23-2006, 11:09 AM

don't feel bad just discovered a puncture on the inside shoulder of one my rears.
There goes a $300 RA-1. Since I don't plan on repairing it I will have to replace all four with a different spec tire allot sooner than I was planning on.

p.s.
does anyone ever go for the tire insurance they always try and push at the tire places? Worth it?

Bob O · 08-23-2006, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

FYI, the DOT/NHTSA recommends that a Radial Tire be repaired with both a Patch and a Plug. This will involve demounting the Tire to do the work and so will need to be balanced upon remounting as well. See: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html about 2/3 down the page. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I've had two rears patched and plugged (both Bridgestone). Nary a problem with either one. They've withstood de's and rather enthusiastic general driving. No air loss or other problems. Now if your leak is in the sidewall that's another matter (and, I found out recently, the sidewall starts WELL before one might think, which resulted in four new shoes (damm roofers)). But if the leak/nail/whatever, is in the footprint of the tire, the plugging, at least for me, worked fine. They do have to remove the tire from the wheel, and it has to be rebalanced, but that's a rather small price in comparison to two (or four) new tires.

Bob