Self tire repair plug

[orion]

Guys, gals, I would be leery of using plastic T-handled reamer and plug installers. While in high school I worked at a garage repairing tires and other stuff. I was reaming a hole out when I heard a snap. The T-handle broke and I thought it pinched the skin between my thumb and index finger. It had not. The metal reamer went into that area about an inch, inch and a half. I will never use a plastic T-handled tool ever again.

Nothing major happened, didn't even bleed but there was a deep hole. Dr. Said to just soak it in warm water with epsom salts. If it went in different/angle it possibly could have been worse.

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[Darrell]

I’ve been using self plugging tire kits for well over 20 years learned from my father and never had a problem. I keep the kit in my Bronco at all times. Also don’t skimp and buy a cheap plastic kit

 

[Area51BS]

Guys, gals, I would be leery of using plastic T-handled reamer and plug installers. While in high school I worked at a garage repairing tires and other stuff. I was reaming a hole out when I heard a snap. The T-handle broke and I thought it pinched the skin between my thumb and index finger. It had not. The metal reamer went into that area about an inch, inch and a half. I will never use a plastic T-handled tool ever again.

Nothing major happened, didn't even bleed but there was a deep hole. Dr. Said to just soak it in warm water with epsom salts. If it went in different/angle it possibly could have been worse.

I can see that happening. I know a guy chipping an ice block and pick stayed in ice and next swing his hand became the handle as original handle was in his palm.

 

[Area51BS]

I’ve been using self plugging tire kits for well over 20 years learned from my father and never had a problem. I keep the kit in my Bronco at all times. Also don’t skimp a buy a cheap plastic kit

I bought this.

 

[Darrell]

I bought this.

As someone mention earlier be careful with the plastic ones. The last set that I bought were off Amazon, also mentioned in this post. It has a link. Check it out

 

[totaljustice]

I've used them my entire adult life and never had an issue. They aren't considered a permanent repair but in my experience they always lasted the life of the tire. Puncture seal can work okay too but be aware that using that shit will ruin the TPMS sensor on that wheel.

 

[Mjasi3]

I've used them my entire adult life and never had an issue. They aren't considered a permanent repair but in my experience they always lasted the life of the tire. Puncture seal can work okay too but be aware that using that shit will ruin the TPMS sensor on that wheel.

Puncture seal - you mean the slime that self seals

 

[Snacktime]

Been using harbor freight plugs for 20 years, never had one leak or come out. I will plug a tire before changing one.

 

[GoHawks63]

IIRC the argument against plugs was that the movement of the steel belts in the tire could potentially damage or cut through the plug causing it to leak again or in a worst case scenario cause a failure.

That might be more of a concern with a lower profile high speed performance tire, but I would think less of a concern in the types of tires fitted to these vehicles.

I by no means pretend to be an expert on this, just a guess.

I am more inclined to use a plug on my Bronco. Less so on my CTS-V or Mustang, especially since I have taken those cars to track days on some rare occasions.

 

[Mad Max]

Stay away from the cheap stuff. Safety Seal is the way to go.

 

[totaljustice]

Puncture seal - you mean the slime that self seals

Yes Puncture Seal is a brand name for the aerosol tire sealant they sell here in Canada. Like I said it works very well for small punctures but ruins the TPMS sensor. I discovered this when I got a flat on my Mustang that didn't include a spare at all. All Ford provided was what they called the wheel mobility kit, which consists of a compressor with a built in can of that type of sealant. So after using it once and having to replace the TPMS sensor I started using plug kits.

 

[Murraydog11]

I have the Thor's Lightning kit.

 

[Mdozier]

https://safetyseal.com/shop/
^^^ this

have and used the oreilly kit but the Bronco and truck tires (especially when new) can be tough. The Safety Seal tools and plugs are the best.

You really have to ream the hole out and enlarge it enough otherwise the plugs just don’t get in or are extremely difficult to insert.

been plugging tires for 40yrs. Now that our whole town is under construction it’s gotten to epidemic stage.

have at least 3 in the wife’s explorer and 3 in the truck. Then had to plug the Bronco its first month! Damn the housing boom. Ive plugged 3 of my neighbors just in the last 6mos.

 

[Mdozier]

Also, if you off-road or head into back country it’s worth carrying side wall repair:
https://www.gluetread.com/
It can get you back to civilization.

 

[CalvinT]

Last year I was at a Bronco Roundup at my dealer. One of the guys there used these. He said he was able to repair a tear with them so that the tire would hold air. He just started at one end of the tear then placed them as close as he could.

I should have asked him where he bought them. I did find them on page 10 of the WesternWeld catalog. www.westernweld.com

www.yourtireshopsupply.com sells them and other brands. All aimed at professionals.

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