Plugged tyres

Yes, that is exactly what happened to us in Cairns. Was a screw in the tyre so I had read where plugs are supposed to be a temporary fix. Paid the $20 and got home and found the tyre plugged.
Could have done that myself for 50 cents.
Den

There is more than one type of plug , I believe mushroom plugs inserted from inside the tyre a permanent fix ,

Alan,

Agree with other comments about mushroom plugs. Might look like an ordinary plug from outside, but a lot safer on the inside.



Those string plugs are quite good, but no doubt are frowned upon because if they are not installed to the correct depth, then they could fall out, deflating the tyre again, and perhaps causing an accident?

The Safety Seal kits allow you to insert the plugs to correct depth, and no further. Have used them in everything from Falcon sedan to a Cat grader(about 6 plugs for that repair!) and they've all done what's required.

When I took the above Falcon tyre to tyre fitters, they put a patch on inside, after trimming the plug........done plenty of clicks since with no drama.

Bob

Alan

All the externally applied plugs that I have seen so far have been marked temporary only. They work if the hole suits them but more often than not in the bush the holes are too big.

Have a look at the tyre repair equipment on Rema Tip Top's website and you won't believe what is available. There are all kinds of temporary and permanent plugs plus reinforced patches for tread, shoulder and side wall repairs.

There is a lot more information here on bush repairs
http://www.beadelltours.com.au/rim_debate.html#8

Externally fitted plugs are for temporary repair only, they actually are not for road use & do make your vehicle unroadworthy. Once home you should have external plugs replaced with the internal patch plug type.

Holes created by nails and screws can usually be repaired by a string plug from the outside particularly if it is in the tread, and these can last the life of the tyre. String plugs are considered as a temporary repair only and there is some risk if you continue to use the tyre. If you have a TPMS then you greatly reduce this risk.
It so happens that I am writing a blog on this subject which I will finish in the next couple of hours, I will post a link when I do.

If memory serves (and increasingly it doesn't!) in Vic you can only legally have one plug.

As for the string types, provided they're properly fitted they're quite durable.

Plugging a tyre yourself is a temporary fix .
The only plug I would keep permanently in a tyre is from the safety seal kit .
Safety seal is the only plug kit I ever use .
safety seal

Dont think you can plug sidewalls. Also a few years ago retreaders wouldnt accept any tyres with plugs in them. Guess its not done so much now.

hi
String leather strips use to be an acceptable repair ,done right ,till around 1980 then I found mushroom plugs .
Leather plug strips are flexible and in a soft low ply count tire which has plenty of flex they can work out . In a Skid steer they are useless as they can turn on the plug .
In a car they should only be a temporary as most suggest.

Mushroom plugs r great and need to be installed with cold vulcanizing glue

swampfox

The mushroom plugs mentioned here are very good, legal and permanent but once again the old problem of not being suitable for all holes comes up. They are restricted to tread punctures only and not shoulder or sidewall. They must also go straight through the tyre and not on an angle. They also need the correct size cutter drilled through the tyre first.

There are other things like stem plugs for angled holes. These do not have a mushroom head but I think from memory a small reinforced patch must also be used with them.

Other issues that not all that many people seem to be aware of with internally applied repairs is the need to first clean the area to be covered by the patch with a tyre mould release agent remover. After thoroughly scouring the area and applying the patch, any scoured area not covered by the patch should be sealed by painting on a inner liner sealer otherwise it can lead to a slow loss of air. The reason for this is a tyre is porous and has a very thin inner layer of rubber on the inside surface that seals it. That layer must be resealed after roughening it for the patch.

I would recommend anybody seriously interested in proper tyre repairs to go into a Rema Tip Top depot and discuss everything with the staff. These depots are usually only in capital cities but the local reps will come to your home, or meet you at a nearby tyre service, with a truck full of just about everything you could possibly want.

Another point is don't give up if a tyre service says your puncture is not repairable. Take it to a place that does major repairs and be guided by them. There are not all that many around but a quick look in the phone book and a few calls should find one. They often deal in heavy truck tyres.

Another alternative is to ring Tip Top and ask them. If there is one in your area, chances are they will be supplying them with all the equipment they need.

In NSW string plugs are illegal for on road use
The tyre must be removed from the rim and repaired from the inside

In Qld it is illegal for a tire repair for on road use be it string plug , internal mushroom plug or patch on a sidewall if the repair is to be 12mm or more from the tread …. all to do with liability in the event of sudden deflation…….

nothing wrong with string pliugs i have used them several times and 60000klm tyres are still going

cheers
john

hi
It sounds interesting that Qld bans string plugs .Mushroom plugs maybe better but. Although possible it sounds more like scare tactics from tire dealers . Never seen any paper work on this .This is what happens when u let lawyers to close to real life .
After all before mushroom plugs there was only tubes and sting plugs anyway

swampfox