This project is continued from Part 1.
Flat Tire Plug Repair Kit
This is the Victor plug repair kit. Note the puncture hole at the red arrow.
Tire Plug Repair Kit – Rasp Tool, Needle Tool and Plugs
The puncture hole is cleaned with the rasp tool by drawing it back and forth several times to remove any dirt, mud or grease that would interfere with a clean bond between the tire rubber and tire plug.
Clean the Tire Puncture Hole with the Rasp Tool
The tire plug is very sticky and consists of chorded material coated in a thick tar-like substance.
Peel a Tire Plug from the Package
The tire plug is threaded through the eye of the needle tool, centered halfway as shown:
Insert the Tire Plug into the Puncture Hole
It takes a fair amount of force to press the needle tool and plug into the tire. Press straight in, do not twist.
Press the Tire Plug in with the Needle Tool
The plug is pressed about 2/3rds of the way into the tire, then the needle tool is quickly and forcefully drawn straight out to set the plug. This was the hardest part and took a lot of muscle.
Press the Plug 2/3rds into the Tire Puncture Hole
The plug remains in the hole after the needle tool is withdrawn. The newly installed tire plug:
Tire Plug set in the Puncture Hole
Cut the plug off roughly even with the tire tread.
Cut Off the Tire Plug Flush with the Tread
A small portable air compressor is used to re-inflate the tire. It takes more than one tank of air to fully inflate the tire, so the compressor needs to be plugged in to the 120VAC outlet to do the job.
Portable Air Compressor
Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended tire inflation pressure – on my car, it’s 39 psi. Do not exceed the maximum tire pressure printed in raised letters on the sidewall.
Reinflate the Tire to the Car Manufacturer’s Specifications
Check the tire pressure with the gauge several times as you inflate the tire. Here I’m showing 42 psi on the tire pressure pencil gauge. I let out small amount of air to bring the pressure down to the recommended 39 psi.
Check the Tire Pressure with a Gauge
The tire is now ready to be mounted back on the car.
Tire Balancing
It’s possible the tire plug can add enough weight that the tire needs to be rebalanced. I’ve never noticed a balancing problem with a plug repair nor has my plugged tires ever developed a vibration or flat spot that is characteristic of an unbalanced tire. However, if you notice a vibration that increases with speed or which happens at a specific speed range (it’s worse at a harmonic frequency), then have your tire rebalanced. While you’re at the repair shop with the tire off the car to have it rebalanced, you might as well have the tire patched-and-plugged professionally per the Rubber Manufacturers Association recommendations.
Tip:
Press your thumb into the sidewall and note how firm the tire feels. Remember this for a quick check with your visual inspection to ensure the tire is holding air each time before you drive. If in doubt, confirm the tire pressure with the tire gauge when the tire is cold. The problem with too frequently checking the air pressure with the tire gauge is you’ll let out a bit of air each time and may need to reinflate the tire to bring it back to the recommended pressure.
Take care,
Bob Jackson
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[...] This repair is continued in Part 2. [...]