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A screw in the tire, but not leaking... is it still good to drive?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Salamander_King, May 18, 2022.

  1. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    This is not on my PP. I was working on my son's Honda and found a screw in the tire. I knew it was too close to the sidewall, so the tire shop would not repair it. I wanted to try it myself to see if it can be DIY repaired with a plug kit.

    upload_2022-5-18_14-29-39.png

    Well, it turned out that the screw was into the corner of the sidewall but seems to be not penetrated through. The tire was not low on the pressure before noticing the screw in it. I did not see any air coming out after removing the screw. Yep, I used soapy water. I pumped it up to 36psi and left it overnight, and it is holding the pressure.

    So, is it still good to drive on? Or should it be replaced? It still got 6/32 tread left.

    upload_2022-5-18_14-35-16.png
     
    #1 Salamander_King, May 18, 2022
    Last edited: May 18, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I'd say getting some rubber cement in there and making use of the last of the tread on the tire around town would be wise. Then on the next long road trip, bring a replacement tire along, or put them on before you go.
     
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  3. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Tire places can fix sidewall damage that does not penetrate
     
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  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Really ?
    How do you figure that they DO that ???
    Hint: The only good way is by putting a tube in it.

    In answer to the original question: That looks like some pretty nasty damage and a TUBE is the only way I would consider driving on it.
    But by the time you pay someone for a tube and the labor to install it.......you might as well get a new tire.
    I certainly would NOT just drive on it the way it is.
     
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  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Thanks. That was exactly what I was thinking of doing, but I wanted to check the opinions of others. I had a never-used plug kit in my car but it was ~5 years old. So, I went to get a new one. This new kit came with a small tube of rubber cement.

    upload_2022-5-18_15-25-5.png

    Really? How do they do that? I didn't think of taking it to a tire shop, because I was sure to be told that "it can not be repaired" and I would end up having to buy a new tire. But after removing the screw, I realized that it did not penetrate through the wall.
     
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The rubber cement will be useful, but the tools and rubber-glue cords your purchase came with won't be because they require to force it through the other side of the hole and you don't have an other side of the hole.

    So your challenge is: how are you going to fill the hole as thoroughly as possible without causing more damage.
     
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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, I see your point. I just ordered this. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09BFZ29LD/
    It is supposed to work without causing secondary damage to the tire. Will see if it works as advertized.

    upload_2022-5-18_20-19-23.png
    upload_2022-5-18_20-20-43.png
     
  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    That might work better... Hopefully they don't create any bulging in the side wall... Once you get a bulge you're just one hard sidewall rub against the curb for it to fail. I wonder if they make longer and skinnier ones? Or maybe the ones you got are skinny enough and you just use more than one?
     
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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    One I ordered comes in two sizes. 4.5mm diameter is smaller than most other brands I saw on Amazon. I think it is about the same size as the screw that was in the tire, but it is made of plastic, so should be softer than the stainless screw that was in. Yes, I do see a slight bulging on the sidewall with the screw inserted (the first photo). If I go to the same angle, even this plastic screw may cause a slight bulging.

    upload_2022-5-18_20-41-51.png
     
  10. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    No air leaking out with soapy water. It's fine, just move on, my opinion...

    REVVL V+ 5G ?
     
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  11. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The concern is the potential weak spot in the sidewall. Then I'd probably do what you suggested. Or with access to a syringe and needle, I'd fill the puncture with rubber cement.
     
  12. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    A good tire shop will repair the sidewall casing if the internals aren’t damaged and leaking

    Scheryl Tire repaired one on the rear of my truck in the danger zone.

    Personally don’t care how they did it, but the tire is pretty there again
     
  13. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    There is NO good way to regain the integrity of the tire once there is that much damage in the "flex zone".

    But you can believe whatever you want. No skin off my nose.
     
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  14. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    The tire casing has ZERO affect on tire integrity, it’s only purpose is waterproofing

    The cord and bands in the inner layer(s) make the seal and strength of the sidewall

    That tire has 35000 miles on it, no leaks no bulges, will see how long it goes
     
  15. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If you can find a large enough gauge needle then go for it, because that stuff is probably too viscous to withdraw otherwise. Maybe apply it with a spatula...

    REVVL V+ 5G ?
     
  16. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Fill the syringe from the plunger side. I wouldn't go smaller than an 18 gauge needle though.
     
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Ridiculous statement.
    I guess that's why you should replace a tire when the tread is gone......it might not be "waterproof" anymore.
    :eek:
     
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  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    If the non penetrating puncture leads to the steel belt being exposed to air and moisture, it could start rusting. Which would be a bad thing.
     
    #18 Trollbait, May 21, 2022
    Last edited: May 21, 2022
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Why the steel belt start rusting is a good thing?o_O
     
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    whoops
    fixed
     
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