Told I need new tire at 1200 miles, opinions?

[BLACK-FL4RUNNER]

If you don't trust the plug, go ahead and throw some zip ties on there to secure it.
:thumb:

 

[Jesserue]

Just put new tires on my LX470 at America's/Discount Tire and mentioned to the sales guy about my wife's ability to get a self tapping metal screw embedded in every damn tire of her Euro sporty cars over the years.

He told me that they will sell their repair/damage/replace warranty on a new vehicle with OEM tires! They'll make the tires their own! Wish I had known that sooner. Her lease is coming up due and I'll definitely be paying the $75 or so as I just laid out $450 for two new fronts due to another screw.

Just FYI.

 

[Jesserue]

Forgot to mention that this also includes the lifetime balance/rotate service. Not affiliated with them just love their way of doing business and their service practices, ie they know and use a torque wrench.

 

[Kennyr44]

Good info Im going to discount tire to buy the warranty. If you are in their system they will fix your flat if fixable for free on any car you drive in with whether you bought the tires there or not. They are the bomb when it comes to customer service.

 

[Ezlife45]

I would plug it if it was within 1" of the tread of the tire. Otherwise I would bite the bullet and move on. That tire would do a hell of a lot more damage than $150.00 if it were to blow out at highway speeds. Then you will really feel bad about a practically new tire that you just had to try and band-aid.

How much do you figure it would do to the side of your vehicle if it blew out and took a fender or more off your vehicle?

 

[philsey]

I've decided to replace the tire. I value myself more than $190 after install.

Guys? Post #23?

 

[ccapman670]

Guys? Post #23?

Pkniland is graciously mailing me his spare he just replaced, so I'll be in business soon. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

looks similar..


I had mine patched. that was over a year ago. however, I don't drive that 4runner very often, im not concerned in the slightest. if a repair is done properly, the patch becomes a part of the tire, much like welding.

Yes, but much like welding if the base metal is not properly prepared, the rod not properly spec'd, the gas/flux not properly flowed/used, penetration too little/too much, the HAZ (heat affected zone) not properly accounted for, ect. then the weld fails catastrophically even though you stuck the two pieces of metal together temporarily.

All the plug is doing is sealing a hole; it has little in the way of integrity beyond making sure it doesn't leak (which in a sidewall application is difficult as the hole will deform multiple times and at varying degrees.) The other main point to make is how many of the cords were damaged, one of the reasons a sidewall puncture is considered non-repairable is because usually it introduces separation at the plys and eventually the sidewall herniates (much like a human hernia) and blows out.

I'm not saying that it won't work or that it won't hold air; if it didn't then there'd be no point in carrying a plug kit for the trail. It's that many organizations have the data to show that plugs are best as a temporary solution to allow you to "limp home" until the tire can be repaired and/or replaced. The main reason I quoted the RMA is because the OP is essentially asking why the dealership is saying the tire is junk and by all legal and official standpoints it is infact a failed tire. It's one of those things where the correct repair is to replace the tire, but the "shade tree mechanic" way of "jury rigging" it can also work; but there's a lot of risk involved.