Nail in tire in terrible spot - patch, replace one, or all?

[mikeofthenorth]

2024 4d OBX with the stock non-sasquatch tires (255/70R18 I think). Got a nail in the front right about 1/2" in (at best) from the outer edge of the tread. 20k miles.

Auto shop is wary about a patch holding given its location, especially if taken anywhere off city streets, being within 1" of the edge.

Treads on the 4 tires are between 8 and 9 32nds. My unused spare is 10/32. From what I understand, risk of replacing just the one tire is the difference in tread can damage the differential in 4wd mode when the tires are different - potentially voiding warranty as well?

Money no object the answer is to replace all 5 tires... but oof, that's a very large unlucky expense. I've got an appointment with a tire tech on Tuesday to get their opinion. This might be more of a post asking for help in accepting the reality of the replacement but... do you think I've got any other options than a full out replace?

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[Bukin67]

I would patch that one. I got a nail similar to that spot in one of mine with just 700 miles on it. It's got over 20,000 now and going strong

 

[crzyhawk]

Patch it and make it a perma spare, so 4 tire rotation from here out. Replace all 5 when the time comes. If a second tire goes TU, replace all 5.

 

[Brian_B]

Treads on the 4 tires are between 8 and 9 32nds. My unused spare is 10/32.

Looking at this (practically new tires), and the nail location - I'd patch. If you only do 4-tire rotations then move this to the spare, but patches are pretty robust and I'd have no problem running it either.

Difference in tread I've always heard is <=3/32, and you are fine there. Bronco 4WD is a lot more robust and forgiving than some AWD vehicles out there.

 

[old goat]

put plug in it and Smooth it out on the inside and put a patch
it will hold out till you run out of rubber.
don't forget to cut off plug on outside as far down you can cut with utility knife / razor blade.

 

[DALOLA]

Agree, plug & inside patch, keep rollin'....

 

[mikeofthenorth]

Difference in tread I've always heard is <=3/32, and you are fine there. Bronco 4WD is a lot more robust and forgiving than some AWD vehicles out there.

That's good to hear - I had heard that as well but wasn't sure really how much of a good idea it was to mess with that vs. play it safe!

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

2024 4d OBX with the stock non-sasquatch tires (255/70R18 I think). Got a nail in the front right about 1/2" in (at best) from the outer edge of the tread. 20k miles.

Auto shop is wary about a patch holding given its location, especially if taken anywhere off city streets, being within 1" of the edge.

Treads on the 4 tires are between 8 and 9 32nds. My unused spare is 10/32. From what I understand, risk of replacing just the one tire is the difference in tread can damage the differential in 4wd mode when the tires are different - potentially voiding warranty as well?

Money no object the answer is to replace all 5 tires... but oof, that's a very large unlucky expense. I've got an appointment with a tire tech on Tuesday to get their opinion. This might be more of a post asking for help in accepting the reality of the replacement but... do you think I've got any other options than a full out replace?

That's not a terrible spot. Simply ream and plug it.....easy peasy.
I just plugged a Goodyear Territory MT on my 2-door HE, go figure my low mileage Bronco. So long as it's not on the side wall.

 

[TPadden72]

That's good to hear - I had heard that as well but wasn't sure really how much of a good idea it was to mess with that vs. play it safe!

Pre TPMS play it safe was replace, not the case with TPMS warning system (particularly with spare). Plug and forget is safe enough for most punctures. Conversely most shops will still say replace.

 

[Brian_B]

Pre TPMS play it safe was replace, not the case with TPMS warning system (particularly with spare). Plug and forget is safe enough for most punctures. Conversely most shops will still say replace.

What does TPMS have to do with it? Curious.

 

[TPadden72]

What does TPMS have to do with it? Curious.

You never have to wait for a wop, wop, wop, flat and then possible rim cut tire, to know you have a nail/leak.

TPMS not only warns you about a leak it also tells you how fast you are losing air. I have traveled 3,000 miles with a nail in my tire, from California to Florida, because it was a slow leak, I was too lazy to use the spare, and I'd rather pull it and plug it in my own garage. TPMS told me exactly what gas stops I needed to plan an air up.

Tom

PS. TPMS will also warn you if your plug/ patch is leaking air

 

[Roger123]

Plug it yourself and move on with your life like it never happened. Shop probably won't patch it, too close to sidewall.

 

[Roger123]

What does TPMS have to do with it? Curious.

You can monitor it remotely. Great thing about tubeless tires is that they very seldom ever just go flat really fast like it would with a tube.

Only tubeless tire I had go flat really fast was this sidewall "issue".

 

[Tonka Bronka]

Plug it.

 

[Calm horse]

I'd plug and chug on!

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