Run Flat Repair

[nick_968]

I am starting to think that run flats are completely pointless technology. Not only is the ride compromised but no one will fix a puncture. What is the point of not being able to get anyone to fix a puncture if the point of the tyre is to be able to warn you and get you home - then all you can do is bin it.

Does anyone know of a tyre place that will actually fix a puncture on run flats? Somewhere near Kingston/ Surrey area.

[nick_968]

Thanks guys. I tried Merityre, National Tyres, Kingston Tyres all of whom instantly dismissed the possibiity of ever repairing a run flat!

I will try ATS tomorrow and the chap in Bisley. Any other recommendations welcome.

[nick_968]

gizard said:

Bottom line is don't drive any distance on it deflated as runflat or not it will ruin the side wall and then be non-repairable.

I had a week old 5 series in 2013 and BMW said - new tyre so did all the local tyre fitters - I rang up the manufacturer of the tyre who said - yes it can be repaired so long as puncture is not in the side wall or near it and it hasn't been drive in a deflated state, so I eventually found a place somewhere south of Croydon - can't remember the place's - anyway the chap on the phone said it the tyre is as you have described to me - i.e. you have driven on it in a deflated state and the puncture is not in the side wall etc. I will repair it - I turned up with the tyre in the boot of another car and he repaired it! - tyre is still going strong.

Thanks - As soon as the warning came up I drove 3 miles to the nearest garage and check the pressure which was 23 psi. I inflated it to 30 and drove another mile home. The wheel is off and in my other cars boot so no damage will come to it. I am always careful to not drive on any tyre with no air in it anyway. So the tyre should be fine. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a chance to take it to Martins or one of the others above and get it sorted.

[nick_968]

Osinjak said:

I got into an argument with a bloke at Merityre about this, fed me a right load of old pony about illegality, etc. Eventually he conceded that they could be repaired but still refused to do it. Anyway, Wraysbury Tyres in Chertsey will repair them.

www.wraysburytyreservices.co.uk

Well I always used to get my tyres done at Merityre but I guess they might just have lost my custom as the place that fixes the puncture may well get my business next time. With 3 cars to keep on the road that puncture repair might turn out to be quite a profitable move in the long run.

[nick_968]

Its not the first time I have heard people say they puncture more often that regular tyres. Mine is a small screw, I am sure it would not have punctured a regular tyre but who knows. Also the same 3 weeks with a new car, first time on run flats and a puncture - coincidence maybe, or just bad luck.......once they are worn out I won't be replacing them.

[nick_968]

Tyre repaired at Martins tyres today for the grand total of £10. They don't need to take the tyre off anymore they use a vulcanising glue, by the time I had paid the guy was rolling the tyre out all fixed.

[nick_968]

The guy I spoke to said they used to use a vulcanising plug and now they use a vulcanising glue. So far it is holding pressure, time will tell but worth a try to avoid spending out on a new run flat. Given they do a serious amount of business from there and it was clearly a high performance tyre I doubt they would be selling a fix/ product that does not work. I was quite happy to pay for whatever was needed and that was their solution for my pinhole puncture.

[nick_968]

shakindog said:

Tyre trade is massively unregulated and the repair the op has had done is not illegal. As there only guidelines not laws in place to regulate the industry mostly.
If it has been stung or a butterfly used and pushed through from the outside it would be in my eyes a temporary repair. Enabling the car to get to a garage or place to have a permanent repair or mushroom repair carried out after the tyre has been removed and inspected on the inside for other damage.
Most of the major tyre manufacturers do not recommend the repair of runflat tyre. That is not to say they can't be repaired or shouldn't be repaired it's just not recommended.
As you never know how far or fast it has been driven on and due to the construction of runflat tyres any other damage may not be obvious.
I'm not trying to cause offence to the op as he seems pretty clued up.
It's a long running debate within the industry repair or not of the runflat tyre.

No offence taken. I was very careful not to drive on it once I knew it was low and it only ever got to 23psi at its lowest. So I was not bothered about the fact that they had not inspected the inside. I agree that in theory they should have looked though but run flats are a pain to get on and off the rim as they are a lot stiffer and given it is hard to find anyone who will even fix one in the first place I was happy to try out this supposed new fix. I will be keeping an eye on the pressure and I also have the advantage of the cars warning system for when I am driving if it suddenly fails. Ultimately it was a tiny pin hole so the worst outcome is I end up with a slow puncture again and I get them to plug it from inside.

[nick_968]

shakindog][quotthough ick_968 said:

No offence taken. I was very careful not to drive on it once I knew it was low and it only ever got to 23psi at its lowest. So I was not bothered about the fact that they had not inspected the inside. I agree that in theory they should have looked though but run flats are a pain to get on and off the rim as they are a lot stiffer and given it is hard to find anyone who will even fix one in the first place I was happy to try out this supposed new fix. I will be keeping an eye on the pressure and I also have the advantage of the cars warning system for when I am driving if it suddenly fails. Ultimately it was a tiny pin hole so the worst outcome is I end up with a slow puncture again and I get them to plug it from inside.

After being run at 23 psi it's not really been run flat and hat off to you for being intelligent about looking after it and getting it sorted.
A large portion of folk that have runflats fitted know very little about them or cars in general so you have to be careful when taking their word for something.
I've had cases of oh yeah it's a run flat but I've not run it far or fast.
Well ok how come the thread has separated from the sidewalls it takes a fair distance fully deflated or at high speed.
Oh yeah light came on in London and I've been doing 90 till I heard the noise.
Ok I see well your in leeds now so I'd say you've done rather well.

Also biscuits are always the best form of tip and the way to any tyre fitters heart. Not rich tea tho as they aren't really a biscuit.

I maintain all my cars/ bikes myself so am in the fortunate position of being 'on the ball' when it comes to spotting mechanical failures and the like and what to do to minimise the potential damage. I also resisted the urge to empty a can of tyre weld into it to continue using my car this week just gone, fortunately I had access to another car. I knew run flats were going to be a pain but I had no idea how many places would refuse to repair a pinhole on a brand new tyre! Thanks for the tips and thanks to Pistonheads for coming through