Formula 305

Its not really 3rd gen related but I got two tires slashed on my Jeep. Punctured the sidewalls on both tires with a hole smaller than a pen, but the tires are about 90% tread life still and it'd be a shame to have to throw them away.

So my question is, are these tires repairable? I called around to sears and midas and they couldn't patch them but maybe a more reputable tire shop could do a better repair. This may be a stupid question, and if these tires are truly not repairable I'll cut my losses and toss em out, but if they're fixable I'll run em until their bald or until the Jeep dies.

DJP87Z28

Damage to sidewalls on tires are considered NOT repairable. New tires are in your future.

86iroct5

but you can repair it the same way you plug a hole in the tread but it is not safe

Kingsobieski

I've used tubes before to fix pin hole sidewall leaks....but everyone has a different opinion about whether or not they're safe...but i've never had a problem...

Formula 305

Ok, I've read mixed things on various websites about possibly repairing sidewalls. Also thought about tubes but I can't seem to find tubes anywhere.

Ron U.S.M.C.

I just would not trust a damaged side wall. I would not trust the speed rating thats for sure .I can bet those tires are not inexpensive so I guess you have to weigh your safety and the safety of others against the price of new tires. Sorry if that sounds a little strong worded.

jharrison5

You have to remember that the sidewall is what gives the tire most of its strength. I have had to replace the front passenger tire on my spouse's Grand Prix three times in the last two years because "someone" keeps getting nails and screws in the sidewall. Oh an did i mention that I drive a full size truck every day and never drive the grand prix lol!

Formula 305

Ok. Time to do some tire shopping I suppose.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

I had a hole in the sidewall of a brand new tire after it went flat during winter storage on my IROC. The local tire place was happy to use a tire plug. That was over 10 years ago, and that tire still holds air. As long as the sidewall isn't structurally damaged, the worst that can happen is that it'll leak again.

GreggymacZ28

First, you should never run tires that are older than 10 years on a vehicle. Most tire stores say that they will not service 10 year old tires and manufacturers strongly recommend replacement at even 6 years. Also, you should never plug a tire that has a hole in the sidewall. I can see doing it to get by for the time being, but never as a permanent fix. Also, there is no structure to the sidewall of the tire that is why it is not repairable. The sidewall doesn't have steel belts like the tread of the tire, which is why plugging usually does not work as the sidewall flexes and causes the plug to fall out.

However, like jim85iroc said, the worst that can happen is the plug fallout and go flat again. Personally, Im not going to let $100 hold me back from protecting me from the plug falling out on the highway. In which case you would probably destroy the tire anyway and be right back at where you started with buying a new tire.

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

The point I was making was that a small puncture that gets a plug isn't going to cause any real concerns about the strength of the sidewall. A slash, or cracking, or other type of larger damage would be cause for concern, but I don't see a small puncture in the sidewall as any more dangerous as one in the tread. The plug is going to function in the same manner in either location.

GreggymacZ28

I agree with you all the way up until the last statement. I work for discount tire, and there are plenty of things we did 10 years ago that if we did today would lose us 90% of our business and wouldn't be anywhere near the proper way of doing things. The sidewall of a tire has no steel belts in it. So even though a plug is a plug, meaning plugging a hole will do the same trick anywhere is true like you said. However, the sidewall of tires are meant to be flexible and they do flex, unlike the tread of the tire, making it so that the plug increases it's chances of falling out exponentially when applied to the sidewall instead of the tread of the tire.

I cant tell you how many customers I get a week upset that their tire is flat and that we wont plug the hole in the side of their tire, yet the reason why they came in for a flat that day was because the previous tire store they went to plugged it a week previous and it already fell out. Now, I am not saying plugging a hole in the sidewall of your tire is a bad thing by any means. It can be done, and it can last like you said. Just it's a risk.

T/Aperformance

Personally I would never use a plug to fix a tire, I learned 20 plus years ago to fix it right and that is to use a patch on the inside of the tire. A plug is a quick fix and an easy one at that And in an emergency its is fine. But I don't trust them,
In my truck I have two tires with punctures in the side wall. They are patch from the inside but I'm also running tubes now in them. I also don't drive my tuck on the street unless there is snow on the ground, Mostly it's for off road fun.
I don't recommend driving a repaired sidewall on the street, It is unsafe, a small hole can become a big one in no time.