Hello once again Mustang lovers. Today I have a question about what happens to a tire when it gets repaired, and what concern I should have about the speed rating.

I have a new set of BFG KDW2 tires with only a couple of 100 miles on it. These are Z-speed rated for those 140+ blast I SO often sustain (NOT!). Well last week I picked up a nice fat juicy screw in one of the front tires. Firestone did a fine job repairing it with a patch/plug. This method was new to me. Basicly a inside patch with a nipple/plug in the middle that goes thru the hole in the tire and sticks out the tread. Seems like a pretty solid way to fix a hole.

The Tech said the speed rating is now void. Great, no suprize tho. So my question, does anyone know just how strong/stable this kind of repair is? I honestly won't hit 140mph anytime soon, but 100-110mph bursts are possible on occassions. Am I at any significant risk of a tire failure now?


Don't worry I won't sue you if you say no risk, and then the tire blows.

 

No way I'm gonna trust that repair at high speeds! I'd spring for a tire if it were me.

 

that could be an expensive in the long run, replacing everyone with a nail/screw in it.

 

The patch plug is the best way to fix it but yes the speed rating on the tire is pretty much void. I saw someones post about this way back saying it derated the tire one speed rating with that kind of repair but I wouldn't bank to much on that.
Before I bought new tires, I had a plug(I plugged em myself) in every tire and ran them till they were bald without any problems. That included a couple dozen passes at the drag strip.

 

I have a patch/plug in one of my tires. I asked about this and the guy at Discount Tire told me not to worry about it and the tire is as good as it was when new. Actually, with the patch material inside the tire, that area may even be the strongest.

 

Huh huh... nipple.

 

I definitely would not trust those tire patches at high speeds... especially on the front tires. FYI- It is safer to rotate repaired tires to the rear when possible.

 

I asked them about that, too, and he said rotate them like you would if the repair wasn't there. In fact, I just rotated my tires after the repair and the plug/patched tire was moved to the front.

When on the back, I asked him about peeling out... he said to peel away!

Plugged tires from the outside may be dangerous, but in this case the tire is removed from the rim and the repair is done from the inside. I pretend like it isn't even there.

 

I just asked my friend who patched his tires from the inside (on his last set) and he said he drove with his on the track and when he wore them down, replaced them. He had no problems.

 

Thanks y'all. that makes me feel better and safer about normal driving. If I even go to a high speed autocross even, I'll be sure to replace that tire.

As for rotating them, moot point, tires are directional, and different sizes front & back. I'd have to remove and remount and balance to just swap sides.

 

Don't worry about it. I had a one of my nitto dr's patched before I got rid of them. Did burnouts at the track 100+ mph stuff and they were fine.

 

Geez, so many different angles.

1) No the tire does not lose its speed rating from one plug/patch.

2) Its actually better to have a tire blow on the front, because if the tire blows in the rear, the driver panics and jams the brakes it could easily put the car into a spin. (like the big wheels that had the handbrake on one rear tire, it was meant to spin you out.)

Argue as you will, but I believe in the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
And personal experience. I patch plug my own tires and have done well over 100 mph without an issue. Also work for goodyear for the last 17 years.

Heres the patch plug he was talking about (Nipple, lol)

 

Wow, thanks for the info and the pics Stoenr! I'm ready to hit the speed limiter (well maybe get close sometime).