Can this tire be repaired?

[polo]

Well, I got in the car this morning getting ready to leave for a job interview, and the DIC said "Check Right Rear Tire". Just what I really did not need to happen. Anyways, It was low on pressure (about 23 psi), but not completely flat. I left the car, and took my wife's car instead.

Now my question is, can this screw hole be repaired considering where it is located? I've heard that some tire places won't plug or patch a hole that's too close to the sidewall, so do you have any experiences with this?

The problem is that I really don't want to have to buy another $200+ tire (and I'll probably have to end up buying 2 so both of the rear ones will match.) Do you think it would be too risky fixing the tire and driving with it plugged or patched for another 10k miles or so until all 4 tires are closer to needing to be replaced?

Thanks for your input.

[GAG8]

It looks like it can be repaired but some places may complain about the proximity to the sidewall. Use an interior patch versus pushing in a plug from the outside.

[laserred]

Prolly not what you want to hear, but personally I'd take the hit and get it replaced if you ever drive with your wife or kids ever ride in your car. I bought the tire/wheel warranty on my new Subaru Tribeca (I know, those warranties are typically cha-ching for the dealer), and lo and behold 3 days later my wife says "Something in the car is going 'click-click-click-click' when I have the window down". Big old self-tapping pole barn screw and washer right on the shoulder block. Took it to the dealer expecting a patch. Service manager walks out, one look. "Nope, it's in the shoulder block. We gotta replace it." Tire had 1,600 miles on it and they put a brand new one on it at no charge to me. Serv mgr said too much liability, the belts can tear/rip down into the sidewall and bad things can happen. Even if I had to pay for it, I'd cough it up. Tough on the wallet, easy on the mind.

[-Ray-]

How close to the tread indicators are those tires?
Staggered fitment too. Bummer.

[TomPierce]

Assuming that you will refrain from running autocross and will stay near the speed limits, that tire can be repaired and used with no problem. The hole is not in the sidewall or in the shoulder. The repairer should mount the patch from inside the tire, and you should keep in mind that you are running on a repaired tire.

Of course, if you have the money, go ahead and replace it. If you can't spare the money, the tire can be fixed and used gently until it is time to be replaced.

[polo]

I'm at discount tire now... ::fingers crossed::


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[polo]

Man, I love Discount Tire. Every single time I leave that store I'm amazed by their customer service.

I told the guy at the counter that I didn't know if my tire could be repaired, so he came out and took a look at it and instantly said "oh yeah, that screw is far enough inside... we can fix it no problem." He knew that I wasn't sure that it could be repaired, so he could have easily told me that it wasn't fixable and tried to sell me some new tires. I've been there around a dozen times with 3 different cars, and have yet to have an experience that was less than great.

And how much did it cost to have repaired? Not a thing. I didn't even buy those tires from them, so I assumed they'd at least charge me for the repair. I wish every company could treat their customers that way.

Thanks for the advice, guys. Tom, I'll keep what you said in mind (about taking it easy on a repaired tire). Ray, the tires aren't to the wear bars yet. I think I can get at least another 8-10k miles out of them, so I really didn't want to have to buy new tires when these still have some life left. I'm planning on getting the new Breyton BE wheels here soon too, so I'll probably just wait until these tires wear out and sell these wheels by themselves.

[laserred]

Personally, I agree with Tom as my man brain tells me this is ok. My daddy brain said replace it, which is why she got a Subaru in the first place.

D'OH! RTFM, laserred! LOL Edited for lack of reading the whole thread!

[polo]

Laser, I think you misread... They fixed the tire for me


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[TireDoc]

Main thing now is that the tire has lost its speed rating, so nothing over 99 mph (assuming they patched on the inside and plugged on the outside).

I'm no Doctor, they just call me one at work