As I mentioned in the recent 'Slow Driving' thread "Noticed a "pattering" noise while on the A38/M5 on Wednesday, stopped at Cullompton and found a clout nail securely stuck in my rear nearside tyre, no air loss, weighed up the pros and cons of putting the space saver on and being stuck at 50mph with reduced braking etc or carrying on with the nail at 50mph though with normal handling intact. Decided on the latter ......."
That tyre was well worn so I had it replaced with a 50% worn tyre that I had in the garage after having two new fronts fitted 6 months ago following damage to one.
Sunday afternoon, a few hundred yards from home: I notice a self tapping screw has self tapped itself into my other rear tyre, I made it home however this time it goes flat. The tyre has a fair bit of life left in it so I have had it repaired this morning.
However I really dont like driving on a repaired tyre, surely it cannot be as safe as a non repaired tyre of otherwise similar condition? On the otherhand I guess one always has to compromise, if safety was the only factor involved we would all be buying a new set of tyres every few months irrespective of damage/legality.
I know this has been discussed before though does anyone have any thoughts on the pros and cons of repairs?, views on the safety aspect?, experience of failed repairs? etc.
Regards.
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Depends on the way it was repaired, whether it was simply plugged or vulcanised?
Using a quality tyre repair centre will ensure that maximum safety and tyre life is maintained.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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In my younger days I used to repair some tyres, including truck tyres.
There is a BS-standard covering repairs - can't remember the details now - but basically the hole has to be less than 1/4" dia. and not in the sidewall or shoulder.
I wouldn't worry about a proper repair. The tyre structure is very strong (normally steel belted) and the hole will not 'propagate' along the tyre. Basically the repair is just to keep the air in. If you look at a standard 'mushroom' repair plug they can't really leak.
Stick to the rules and they are as good as new.
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Totally agree, never had problems with repairs & have had quite a few tyres including High Performance ones repaired over the years, have even done race tyres with the rubber cord stuff never known one give greif.
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There is a BS-standard covering repairs - can't remember the details now - but basically the hole has to be less than 1/4" dia. .....
And very few holes are not less than 1/4" dia. It sounds as if most tyres with a hole in the tread area can be satisfactorily repaired.
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L\'escargot.
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I would think that a properly-executed repair to a tyre is quite safe - assuming that you can persuade a tyre place to actually do a repair.
The profit involved in selling you a new tyre (plus valve, balance, tracking, ecological disposal of old tyre) is higher than simply repairing your old one. The usual excuse is (sucking through pursed lips) "mmmm - it's too near the sidewall, mate".
I managed to find a tyre depot which deals mainly with commercials, and providing I remove the wheel and leave it with them for the morning they've always managed a problem-free repair.
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I've found the opposite - the 'pile em high, sell em cheap' places seem happy to do repairs and often don't even charge for them. I've been suprised at that a couple of times in the last few years.
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In France you can buy tubeless tyre repair kits, that appear to include the plugs and the needle device to fit them. Don't think I fancy a DIY job though.
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Agreed on the DIY side of things ... and likewise I'd baulk at having the YTS kid at the tyre fitters do it either ...
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My dad once poped into a local tyre center which is now closed, he asked the chap if he can repair a tyre that suffered from a slow puncture. He agreed to repair for him, afterwards he said "just a tenner will do then call it quits". In otherwards the £10 will go straight into the chaps pocket!
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Its not what you drive, its how you drive it! :-)
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Thanks for the replies, I guess I would rather not have a repair though I simply cannot afford to dump a good tyre when a replacement is £100 ish.
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