Tire plugs--what do you say?

[Ruby Fan]

I picked up 2 tires, for my '85 (16"), from E-bay. When they arrived I noticed that one of them had what looks like 3 plugs in it. They are Pirelli's. The thread isn't bad, but how do you folks feel about these tire plugs? Are they safe to 100mph or only to 90 or less? Eventually I will replace them, but 2 tires on my car now show some 'cracking' between the threads, and I was wondering what are the better of the sets? thanks

 

[tigmaned]

if there not near the side wall have the wholes patched now. i had a serious shake at 52mph noticed my back tire had some road digs in the side of rim, so i took it off and to my tire place, they found 2 nails and tire pressure was down to 20psi. patched the nail wholes felled her back up and balanced and ready to go a little more. oh and some times at diff temps the plugs will leak, patches will not.

 

[srs244]

i agree, as long as they aren't nbear the sidewall, have them properly patched from the inside and you should be good to go (even to 100mph if that's what you want, lol). most tire manufacturers void the road hazard warranty once a tire has been plugged, so that should tell you something. even though they look mundane, if the tire isn't rebalanced after a plug has been installed, shnaces are it will be a bit out of 'shape". it's a simple enough repair, it all comes down to how important it is to you and what you want the tires for. if you are just running errands with them, probably not a biggie, if you plan on cruising with the car, my personal preference is to get it done right and take as much margin of error as possible out of it.

just my 2 cents, however.

steve

 

[froggy47]

I have raced autox with a plugged tire till it corded, no problem, no rebalance, no complaints. But three may be pushing it.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Not all tire plugs are the same. The type to be avoided are those that use cement. The reason for this is that the cement corrodes the steel belt and causes separation.

The "Safety Seal" product uses no cement, but is of a compound that will vulacanize with the rubber of the tire and will not rust the belt. It does a good job of sealing the weather away from the belt thus preventing separation. I'm sure that there are other brands now imitating the Safety Seal brand and are probably just fine as long as they don't use added cement.

I have been using Safety Seals for 25 years or more now and have saved MANY tires with them. I have even used them a number of times at the edge of the belt where the tire stores will always tell you to throw away the tire, with no problems whatsoever. Surely they're not just anxious to sell you another. It is a great product.

I would put the tires on the car and give it a shot, but keep a close eye on them watching for separation.

Good luck,