another flat - sort of

SRT8DRVR · 06-05-2006, 03:33 PM

This morning the inflation indicator was at 24 lbs and I found a small sheet metal screw in between the outer and next tread in the front left RSA.

I carefully unscrewed it and refilled tire to pressure. As of this writing, no drop in pressure. Probably the very sharp tip of the screw just punctured through and the tire has closed up around the hole.

As a practicl matter, if pressure holds, do you think I can leave it be, or should I bring it in for repair of some kind, even though not leaking?

( this is the second one in two weeks

)

Opinions appreciated.

Keith

Mr.DJ · 06-05-2006, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRT8DRVR

This morning the inflation indicator was at 24 lbs and I found a small sheet metal screw in between the outer and next tread in the front left RSA.

I carefully unscrewed it and refilled tire to pressure. As of this writing, no drop in pressure. Probably the very sharp tip of the screw just punctured through and the tire has closed up around the hole.

As a practicl matter, if pressure holds, do you think I can leave it be, or should I bring it in for repair of some kind, even though not leaking?

( this is the second one in two weeks

)

Opinions appreciated.

Keith

Just to be safe...take it into your local Goodyear dealer and have the tire checked anyway.

srt8danno · 06-05-2006, 08:44 PM

I’m sure you don’t drive your beautiful SRT8 like Grandma Moses, so you should definitely have the tire looked at. Don’t take any chances. Sorry for the bad luck!

SRT8DRVR · 06-06-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.DJ

Just to be safe...take it into your local Goodyear dealer and have the tire checked anyway.

will do.

SRT8DRVR · 06-06-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srt8danno

I’m sure you don’t drive your beautiful SRT8 like Grandma Moses, so you should definitely have the tire looked at. Don’t take any chances. Sorry for the bad luck!

I guess that makes it consensus. Will have it checked.

Thanks guys.

rtr0id · 06-06-2006, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRT8DRVR

I guess that makes it consensus. Will have it checked.

Thanks guys.

Have them put a patch on this inside of the tire. You wouldn't want anything to happen @ speed.

Patch not plug

SRT8DRVR · 06-06-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtr0id

Have them put a patch on this inside of the tire. You wouldn't want anything to happen @ speed.

Patch not plug

Good advice.

I'll let them know.

SRT8DRVR · 06-08-2006, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRT8DRVR

Good advice.

I'll let them know.

So it turns out the hole was leaking very slowly and is too close to the edge to put in a patch as the patch would run over the turn in sidewall and could loosen under flex. Both the forum and the tire dealer said don't plug.

So, second tire replacement in two weeks only 4,600 miles, one to a piece of seashell in the sidewall, one to a sheet metal screw near the edge. $440 gone in a flash. Jeez, what luck!

They offerred a 4 tire pro-rated repair and replacement warranty for $160 but that seemed like a weak bet, esp since I'd always have to take the damaged tire to one of the dealers, as if I'd be anywhere near one when it happened.

Mr.DJ · 06-08-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRT8DRVR

So it turns out the hole was leaking very slowly and is too close to the edge to put in a patch as the patch would run over the turn in sidewall and could loosen under flex. Both the forum and the tire dealer said don't plug.

So, second tire replacement in two weeks only 4,600 miles, one to a piece of seashell in the sidewall, one to a sheet metal screw near the edge. $440 gone in a flash. Jeez, what luck!

They offered a 4 tire pro-rated repair and replacement warranty for $160 but that seemed like a weak bet, esp since I'd always have to take the damaged tire to one of the dealers, as if I'd be anywhere near one when it happened.

With regard to Goodyear tires...

When contemplating purchasing a tire 'road hazard' warranty, just make sure that you are purchasing a warranty which will in fact be valid/observed by all Goodyear tire dealers, and not just by the dealer who is trying to sell you the warranty. The 'road hazard' warranty isn't necessarily a 'good deal' all of the time.

Sans the Chrysler, I have tire 'road hazard' warranties on my other vehicles and understand that they are only valid at participating dealers while traveling 'over the road'. My Chrysler's tires were purchased/installed by my Chrysler dealer which does not have/honor a tire 'road hazard' warranty.

'Road Hazard' warranties have in fact saved me more money than what I had initially paid for those warranties, after factoring-in the 'free'/'no charge' tire repairs (patched not plugged), as well as a new tire...here and there.

BTW, your Goodyear tire dealer was correct in advising you that your tire could not be properly repaired. Due to the sidewall flex occurring within that particular area of a tire, a patch will not hold over time and will eventually fail.

A 'plug only' repair vs. a plug/patch or patch system is only a temporary (emergency) repair and is never performed by a truly knowledgeable tire dealer. This is because by performing such a repair, one is in fact placing a foreign object (a 'U'-shaped length of natural/folded rubber) into the tire carcass and therefore forcing the body/tread belts apart and into an unnatural state. Also, one is in fact making the original puncture (hole) even larger by inserting such a tire plug, plus, there also lacks proper reinforcement which should be affixed to the tire's inner liner to insure that the repair is firmly held in place and that the tire also retains its inherent tubeless characteristics.