Screw/nail in front tire do you pull it out or not?

[az-crv-guy]

Hi, Could someone tell me? Some of my friends told me do not pull it out because it would cause a leak! Are they right? Thanks

[mdugan7000]

Originally Posted by az-crv-guy

Hi, Could someone tell me? Some of my friends told me do not pull it out because it would cause a leak! Are they right? Thanks

They are probably right about the leak. However, if you don't, it will leak eventually anyway. So, before you do it, buy a $5 plug kit from an auto parts store. Follow the simple directions and you should have a tire that is still just fine after you pull it out and fix it.

[blueiedgod]

And then use some Fix-a-flat or Slime inside the tire to make sure there are no leaks.

[mdugan7000]

Originally Posted by blueiedgod

And then use some Fix-a-flat or Slime inside the tire to make sure there are no leaks.

If you do that - time to rebalance the tire too. A properly done patch won't leak. I recall an article in Car and Driver a few years back regarding the safety issue of patched tires. I believe it was Michelin reps that told them that a properly patched tire was just as safe as an unpatched one!

[roadster]

knowing you have a Plugg kit on hand
1. mark the tire where the nail is
2. Pull it out and squirt it with a fluid if no fluid is presant Spit on it. see no air bubbles good to go air bubbles you need to plug
3. placing the tools in the hole a T handle works best ream it out not too big. place rubber cement or equilivent glue on the Plug Push in, and twist out halfway, cut flush to very close . finished

if you Pull out hte nail and its not embedded. you should still mark the tire on the side and on the area, * take note where the hole is.

ride on it and all will mesh together if not deep. and no leak good to go.

[az-crv-guy]

Thanks guys for all your helps! Today I bought a Plug-kit & pulled the screw out with a pliers poured half a bottle of water onto the hole to my surprise no bubble! Is that mean no leak? I guess my lucky day! Should I still patch/plug the little hole? Thanks again!

[skyout]

Did you put some dish soap in the water?

Although we don't know how deep the object was in your tire, you should be alright if you got no bubbles. Just watch the air pressure a little closer for a while. JMO

[rags]

I disagree with the advice to put a plug in a tire; I believe a properly installed patch on the INSIDE of a tire is a far superior repair for three reasons:
(1)The patch on the inside is pressed onto the hole by the air pressure, facilitating a better bond.
(2) The internal patch is bonded over a far, far larger surface area than the small bonded contact area of a plug.
(3) There is far more danger of damaging the tire's internal structure when inserting (and twisting) a plug into place.

The first thing to do on finding a nail or screw in a tire is to stop so the object is on the up side of the tire and apply soapy water, with the object still in place. If there's already leakage you know a repair is necessary; I'd change to the spare (to avoid additional damage to the tire by driving the object further in) and take the damaged tire to a competent tire repair place, have them remove the tire, patch it, and re-balance the wheel.

If there's no leakage with the object in place I'd try to remove it carefully, then test it for leakage again. No leakage, probably good to travel, but worth re-checking for a few days, just to be safe. If the tire starts leaking when the object is removed, we're back to putting on the spare and getting the tire repaired.

I know that many tires have gone many miles with plugs in them. (Personally, I haven't been as lucky with them, but I've never had a patch leak.) I also have never, ever heard anyone claim that a plug is MORE reliable or preferable in any way to a patch, except for not having to remove the tire from the rim. I've heard any number of experts, though, assert that a patch is superior, and since, either way, you'll be going to a tire place to have the wheel balanced, I'd recommend having them patch any leak.[/i]

[blueiedgod]

A plug is easier to do than a patch. Trust me I have tried to remove and then install a tire onto the rim with a crowbar. Without the tire removing/installing machine it is a real pain the you know what.

I agree that a patch is better. But not easier.

[acura5150]

A 'patch' IS superior to a plug. If you are keeping the tires for a long time, I would get it patched. For emergency or high mileage tires a plug is fine. I have HEARD that a plug can be dangerous and cause tire separation (due to pressure at the plug site). I don't know if that's true, but it makes sense. Of course I have driven with plugs no problem also.