Screw / Nail in tire
 

Im on my way home tonight and half way there i notice a weird thudding sound coming from my passenger side rear tire, As if something is banging against my undercarriage or something.

I pull over look under the car near the rear passenger wheel and I don't see anything hanging or being dragged. So I proceed on my way home but I still hear it.

Once I get home I do a more thorough check of the wheel wheel and tires and I find a screw with a washer stuck in the tire. It looks like its in there pretty deep and its sizeable. And trying to pry it out doesnt seem like a good idea right now.

I assume this is what would be causing that thudding sound as it hits the pavement and what not.

Anyway I was wondering if I could get some advice from those of us who are more seasoned car owners, is this an easy fix? Can it be plugged up? Or am I looking at a bill for a new set of tires?

As long as it is not in the sidewall, the screw can be removed and a plug put in. Good as new or at least as good as the other tires.

If it is in the sidewall, you will have to get a new tire. This compromises the integrity of the tire.

Patch is the correct fix.
Plug is temporary.

Phew ok im glad its not too bad.

Unfortunately it just had to happen the day before Canada day... sigh.

Thanks fellas.

Never good idea to plug a steel radial as you have to use a reaming tool to make the hole bigger to insert the plug, which tears more of the steel belt and can lead to a tire that thumps because of the plug. If you're a 100 miles from nowhere, a plug is an emergency fix, but you should get it patched from the inside at a tire shop if at all possible.

I've had a patch on my Hankook RS3s and have run 3 track events since the fix.

A patch is the right way to fix it, but one should be aware that they do have to dismount the tire.

-alex

At my shop we plug, patch, and seal the injury. If done properly, this will make the tire pretty much just as good as new and still retain the marked speed rating.

I think when many people think "plug," they're thinking of the old school stuff which are rarely used these days.

Also, anybody or any shop that repairs a tire without removing the tire from the wheel isn't performing a permanent job, all long term legitimate fixes require removing the tire.

I have a nail in my right rear tire's sidewall :( New tires get here tomorrow, new wheels on friday.. everyone who mounts tires is going to be closed this weekend!

Got it all fixed.

It was surprisingly easy, took about 30 mins and cost about 40 bucks.

Not gonna lie my first thought after finding the nail was that now I can justify getting new rims and tires... alas that will have to wait a few more months.