Flat tyre ?

Rob. Smith · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 12:48 AM

I haven't had a flat tyre for years and now I have some low profile tyres what is the best method to repair one? The tyre is a Bridgestone Potenza RE-050A 275 x 35 R19 ....what do you all recommend ?
Rob.

Rog246 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 04:15 AM

Rob the only acceptable repair IF its in the tread area is a Combi plug, sometimes called a Donkey Dick. Its the only method that tyre manufactures recommend and they're safe!
Some dealers will put a patch on the inside and then put a tube in the carcass and tell you its fine-' we do it all the time' what they won't say is that it reduces the tyre life and allows water to get into the carcass and it will then rust the steel in the tread belts-and they get to sell you a tube which in 99% of the time you don't need.

If its in the sidewall they are not legally repairable and any reputable tyre dealer should tell you that. Mind you some will take your money and not say a word.
Hope it helps
Rog

Merv and Sharon · #3 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 04:19 AM

The voice of experience there. When is the planned end date for Harrison 100? That needs some kind of celebration. Warwick can pay!

Rog246 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

The voice of experience there. When is the planned end date for Harrison 100? That needs some kind of celebration. Warwick can pay!

Merv have had a few set backs in the last year or two and have been trying to get back on our feet - but its slowly coming together-I've been meaning to put some pics together and post them-better get off my butt and do it
Rog

Merv and Sharon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rog246

Merv have had a few set backs in the last year or two and have been trying to get back on our feet - but its slowly coming together-I've been meaning to put some pics together and post them-better get off my butt and do it
Rog

I hope the luck runs with you there Rog. The car will happen when it is the right time.

Jaydee · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 07:00 AM

One good repair is a combination of both. It's a patch with the donkey dick attached to the centre. You drill out the hole to widen it. You rough up the inside of the tyre, apply glue. And pull the donkey dick through the hole. Have done many like that with no problem. But you can't repair the side wall. And rog246 is right, don't ever fit a tube.

Rog246 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 05:07 PM

Thanks Merv I'm sure it will, if nothing else I can be very stubborn and determined & I know what I want and what to do so we'll get there in the end.

Thor maine · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2012, 07:17 PM

If it is in the tread area a rope plug works great but the side wall is different. You need to take the tire off the rim and put in a "Blow out patch" and yes never let them pu in a tube.

Rog246 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-06-2012, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor maine

If it is in the tread area a rope plug works great but the side wall is different. You need to take the tire off the rim and put in a "Blow out patch" and yes never let them pu in a tube.

Hey Thor, that might work in the US but both of those repairs have been illegal in Oz for about 20 odd years. Our road conditions are some of the toughest in the world AND we have a higher avg. Hwy speed than most other countries too!

Rob. Smith · #10 (**permalink**) 07-06-2012, 04:22 AM

Thanks for the info guys....Rog you answered all my questions. I thought the sticky rope stuff was banned but wasn't sure because it can still be bought in most auto shops. The tek screw was in the centre of a tread groove. The local JAX mob did the proper job...they showed me what they used. A mushroom shaped plug.

Thor maine · #11 (**permalink**) 07-07-2012, 09:48 PM

Oh yeah I forgot it's Mad Max , a lot of heat and higher road speeds. So what is a "donkey Dick" and can you repair a sidewall or is it just time for a new tire?

Rog246 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 02:55 PM

A Donkey dick is actually a 'combi plug' (trade name). Its called a donkey dick because it looks a bit like a donkey's dick

.
Used for tread repairs only and fills the void left by the nail or whatever in the tread - it has rubber cement/solution applied to all surfaces in contact with the tyre carcass, then pulled through the hole and finished off on the inside using a roller to smooth the mushroom shaped head against the inside of the tyre.
Hope that explains it for you Thor

Jaydee · #13 (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 03:14 PM

How many guys use a spare. Would a spacesaver wheel be worthwhile?
JD

Merv and Sharon · #14 (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 04:00 PM

There are some that can fit, to a degree, but then there is the problem of what to do with the wheel that has been removed.

byroncobra · #15 (**permalink**) 07-08-2012, 04:31 PM

As an offroad bike rider, I've completed heaps of roadside puncture repairs to my GSs' tyres. On one occasion three in about 100km

There's no luxury of runflats or spares when on 2 wheels!

I carry a repair kit with half a dozen "sticky worms" and insertion tool plus a small 12v pump about the size if a couple of cigarette packets. The other option for inflation is small gas bottles made for the job (the same looking thing that you see on whipped cream bottles) Prob wouldn't work with a car though, too much volume to fill, you'd need too many.
A mate and I can execute a repair and be back on the track in about 15 minutes

So...I keep exactly the same kit in my Cobra

jcraigau · #16 (**permalink**) 07-09-2012, 02:57 AM

My wife's MX5 has an Instant Mobility System (IMS) Emergency Flat Tyre Repair Kit.
Bottle of goo and a compressor, enough to get you home and then repair/replace the tyre. Hope I never have to use it!

Jaydee · #17 (**permalink**) 07-09-2012, 04:49 AM

Quote:

I carry a repair kit with half a dozen "sticky worms" and insertion tool plus a small 12v pump about the size if a couple of cigarette packet

That's a good idea. Pumping goo into the tyre is very messy.
JD