Whether
to use a tire plug or patch on a radial tire can be a controversial
subject, especially depending on where the injury to the tire has
occurred. Because of the flexibility of the sidewall on a radial tire,
no original tire manufacturers recommend using any kind of repair system
on a tire's sidewall. Virtually every tire manufacturer states that a
radial tire with a sidewall leak should be replaced, without exception.
In the case of steel-belted radials, manufacturers such as Goodyear
further state that the injury must be at least one-inch away from the
outside of the tread to be deemed safe for a repair and that the hole
size be less than 1/4-inch on passenger tires and less than 3/8-inch on
commercial tires. They also state that the injury must be thoroughly
checked to ensure that the steel belt has not been exposed by the hole
because this can cause the steel to rust and deteriorate.
How to repair radial tires. When is a tire beyond repair?
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Re: Tech 101: Patching a Radial Tire
