Puncture Repair... Would You?

[Scotty-Boy]

So... you've just spent x-hundred quid on a brand new rear, and then you run over a nail. You're told it's repairable, but do you?

Personally, I just don't have confidence in repaired tyres - especially not on cars like Ultima's.

Just wondered what the general consensus is?

[cliveg]

I wouldn't, because I don't know much about tyre engineering and wouldn't take the risk.

[Davi]

If it's a road-only car, and if it's within the tread pattern, yes I would. If it's not, no I wouldn't. Providing it is done professionally by someone you trust there is no reason a puncture shouldn't be successfully repaired.

I've pit crewed on a car that had it's slick repaired more than once in the races it was used on!

[Thevet]

Having spent many tens of thousands of miles on a superbike, despatching in all conditions, which as a skint student often meant having to do without the new tyres every puncture, I never had a problem with repaired tyres, and so as bike tyres are perhaps even more critical than ultima tyres, I would not have any qualms about using repaired tyres on road or track up to a modest 150.....but for serious speeds, no better get new rubber. Just my 2p

[Steve_D]

I have no problem with a correctly repaired puncture, in the tread, not the side wall.

But....

Having had Ultima tyres deflate (due to a miss match of rim and tyre) I would warn you to very closely inspect the inside of the carcass to ensure no damage was done whilst running flat (if that was the case).

The tyre walls are so stiff you can drive for miles without knowing the tyre is flat and at very high speed. On one of my deflations, in the outside lane of the M25, I drove from the Dartford crossing almost to the M23 before I started to smell burning rubber. I only felt the tyre shake as I came down through 40mph. On inspection I could insert my hand into the sidewall for almost 3/4 of the way round.

Steve

[highflyer]

Hi Scott yes you are ok to repair as long as it is in the tread pattern but make sure it is drilled, plugged, AND patched. if it is in the side wall or anywhere near, scrap it.

[Steve_D]

Another thought.
Next time you fly off somewhere think about the poor tyres on your plane coming in to land. Dead stop to 150mph in the blink of an eye.

Where's the relevance?

Aircraft tyres are remoulded many times over.

Steve

[738 driver]

I too think the modern plug repair should be fine. If you are unfamiliar with the process, its basically a mushroom shaped patch fitted from the inside of the tyre with the round disc part vulcanised to the inside of the carcass and the leg pulled through the offending hole.
Many years ago I saw a demonstration of this type of repair but deliberately without having vulcanised (bonded) the patch. The tyre was then over-inflated by about 20psi and spun on a wheel balancer yet the plug remained air tight and intact all the time!! We were all quite impressed!! They really are okay when used on the tread area.

BUT......

Steve you are correct about A/Craft remoulds, however, only five days ago whilst near the front of the queue, I noticed a fair-sized object flapping around one of the tyres on the aircraft ahead. As he was lining up to depart I quickly got on the radio to report the problem, his take-off clearance was cancelled and the aircraft slowly limped off the runway. It turned out to be sidewall separation on a remoulded tyre !!!!

[Scotty-Boy]

Is this too close to the shoulders?

[Steve_D]

That would be OK by me.
Rather painful if not as there's some good tread left on it.

Steve

[738 driver]

I think a plug patch should just about fit in there before it contacts the sidewall, (most reputable tyre repairers around here wont consider a repair if the plug patch starts to turn up the inner sidewall).
Good Luck.

[GTWayne]

There will be no problem having that repaired and it is even less of a worry ( more if you have to buy a new one ) as it is a rear tyre, I would not repair a front but then again they are so much more affordable than the rears, I don't think any of us would

[Steve_D]

GTWayne said:

T........I would not repair a front but then again they are so much more affordable than the rears, I don't think any of us would

I would.
I have driven on a fully flat front, at speed, and for many miles without even feeling it so I have no issues specific to the fronts.

Steve

[GTWayne]

Steve_D said:

GTWayne said:

T........I would not repair a front but then again they are so much more affordable than the rears, I don't think any of us would

I would.
I have driven on a fully flat front, at speed, and for many miles without even feeling it so I have no issues specific to the fronts.

Steve

It is not the slow puncture that is a problem so much as the possibility of a blow out at speed. For peace of mind I would replace a front tyre