My first nail!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nda3rdCar @ Apr 8 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]419839[/snapback]</div>

Your car should have come with a bag containing tie-down straps in the storage compartment. Those are to secure the damaged tire in the cargo area while the spare is being used. Good luck and have a Happy Easter.

 

LOL, in the past 2-3 months or so I've run over a bolt and a freakin screw. 1 tire could be patched, but I had to replace my 2 front tires when I hit the bolt. They had some weird tread wear, but after getting it checked out they couldn't find anything wrong. No odd wear on the new tires, though they aren't LRR like by back ones, but ohh well. I didn't even know about the tire with the screw until the morning. Girlfriend pointed out that it was flat. Unfortunately I don't have the tire pressure warning system on my car.

Yea, I hate the spare tire. I actually couldn't figure out where to place the damn jack for like 10 minutes, and it was below freezing outside. I had my jacket and gloves off the whole time, damn near froze my hands off, LOL.

Sadly I think I hit that bolt and screw in about the same damn place, the entrance to my apartment complex. Boy, did that suck.


BTW, since we are talking about tires is it possible for a tire to lose 30 PSI or so because the cap on the tire is loose? Cause that just happened on one of my tires. It looks fine, but my friend said that's impossible. The cap is there for a reason though, it's not there to look pretty.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Apr 8 2007, 02:50 PM) [snapback]419883[/snapback]</div>

The tire stem has a valve in it that keeps the air in the tire. The cap on the stem is to keep dirt and gunk out of the valve. I suppose it makes it look prettier too, but it is not intended to keep the air in the tire. If you find that you lose air when the cap is loose you should go get your tire stem replaced because the valve in it is faulty.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nda3rdCar @ Apr 8 2007, 03:40 PM) [snapback]419964[/snapback]</div>

There are actually instructions fully describing how to strap down your damaged tire inside the little bag that the tie-down straps come in.

For those of us who use our left side of the 'ole noggin, I guess ...

 

Believe it or not, I picked up a 1/4x 4" bolt a few weeks ago!!!?!?!?!?!?!?

Was headed to get the sunday paper -drove around the corner and thunk-thunk thunk. stopped and souldn't see anything. drove a couple of car lenghts, still thunking. then I saw a bolt head. It was hitting the wheel!!!!!

The AAA guy said he's even pulled a pair of pliers out of a tire- yikes!!!!

he plugged it for me and so far all is ok...... :blink:

 

No offense to the OP or anything, but where could I get the stem replaced at? I've never heard of anyone replacing the stem on a tire before.

BTW, the tire seems to be fine now, but since I haven't checked the PSI since then IDK for sure.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alexstarfire @ Apr 9 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]420592[/snapback]</div>

Any tire place should be able to replace the valve stem. They could also just tighten it for you, since it could be loose. The core just screws into the stem. I've used needle nose pliers to remove and insert the core on bike tires that have the same valving. (called Schrader).

Good Luck

 

Icarry plugs and a pump with me at all times.Fix the flat right on the spot.I also carry a bottle of water mixed with a detergent in case there is no nail in sight.simple as 123 done.

 

What kind of plug kit, that you'd trust for an in-the-field repair?
What if the bead has unseated?
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Apr 11 2007, 03:22 AM) [snapback]421363[/snapback]</div>

Its the same plug that that your repair shop uses,no difference.Have been preforming this procedure for years with no ill effects.Saves money and time.Its sold at all auto shops as well as k-mart.Kit contains plugs,glue.and file.simple 123 done.

 

How can I tell if the stem is loose or if there is a micro hole in the tire that can be repaired with some tire sealant?

 

Spit. Well, whatever liquid is handy if you don't have an actual
dunk-tank handy for the whole tire.
.
Thanx for the info about plug kits. I've been leery about trying
one of those myself since I've seen all the rumors that they're
unreliable and you really need to do a patch on the *inside* as
well, thus breaking the bead and all. Guess not, huh?
.
_H*

 

You mean just put some liquid around the stem and see if there are any bubbles? I guess I'll go try that. Thanks.

 

I have been told by tire-people that plugs are not a wise choice for radial tires. Mine have all been done by internal flat patches, which of course means dismounting the tire and so forth. Most tire-people are understandably reluctant to patch within 1/2 inch of the sidewall.

The new model Prius (15 inch wheel) tires will fit in the wheel well if they are mostly deflated. Which is not too much of a help...