Screw In Tire - Fix or Replace

[Sky_Boss]

I'm pretty picky about my tires. Today while getting ready for a 4 day trip I was checking tire pressure when I saw a screw imbedded in the outside rib of my right tag wheel. .

Most everything I read says repairs should only be done between the outer tread lines.



The puncture with the screw still in it is about 3/4" outside of the last tread line as seen in the attached photo. There is no air leaking out of it either. I talked to a Michelin dealer and they said they use the "rule of thumb". That is if the puncture is at least a thumb's width from the edge of the tire and it doesn't affect the sidewall then they will patch it. I'm about 1.5 thumb widths away from the edge.

[Chow5656]

Don,
I own a trucking company and that's a routine fix with a inside patch and you will be good to go!!

[gruelens]

I would pull the metal out and if it does not leak, run it. If it does leak, patch the tire from the inside and run it. Only if the metal goes in at a sharp angle, and involves the sidewall, would I replace the tire. Note: plugging the tire is a short term option to get rolling. Then put a patch on the inside the first chance you get. All the best.

[cwit]

I would mark the spot and pull the nail, it may not leak. If does then either patch or plug.

[Bigd9]

Most of these tires are re-groovable, so I figure these is a lot of meat in the tread area. I had a TEK Screw - minus the head, in the same general area. I unscrewed it and checked with soapy water and did not find a leak. That was 20,000 miles ago.

[srh]

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Most of these tires are re-groovable, so I figure these is a lot of meat in the tread area. I had a TEK Screw - minus the head, in the same general area. I unscrewed it and checked with soapy water and did not find a leak. That was 20,000 miles ago.

I had a similar encounter - just happened to spot something on my tire and sure enough it was a screw. I took the screw out and it didn't leak, so I left it alone and had no problem.

[Sky_Boss]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm feeling better about the situation.

I plan to go ahead and remove the screw in the morning. If it comes out without any air leaking, would it still be prudent to patch that area?

I'm assuming plug and patch is old school and not really used.

[dons2346]

It's the plug that is old school for large tires. Some places will plug and then patch over the inside of the tire.

If it leaks, I'd dismount and patch. If it doesn't leak, drive it.

[DMTTRANSPORT]

50 buck plug kit, repair anywhere.

[DMTTRANSPORT]

Originally Posted by gruelens

I would pull the metal out and if it does not leak, run it. If it does leak, patch the tire from the inside and run it. Only if the metal goes in at a sharp angle, and involves the sidewall, would I replace the tire. Note: plugging the tire is a short term option to get rolling. Then put a patch on the inside the first chance you get. All the best.

I have always plugged the Tires on my Trucks and Trailers without any issues.

[TQ60]

Do not plug it as the process can fowl things up.

Just contact the local tire shop to see if they can patch it and wait times etc so you can be ready then soap it up and fill to max side wall pressure and slowly unscrew it while looking for bubbles.

If it bubbles screw it back in and drive to tire shop.

If not then mark side of tire and watch for a bit and confirm air pressure still at max.

Make a note and place on steering wheel to adjust pressure to normal before using.

Check pressure after a few days and if still good then set back to normal and check it often.

[Sky_Boss]

Originally Posted by TQ60

Do not plug it as the process can fowl things up.

Just contact the local tire shop to see if they can patch it and wait times etc so you can be ready then soap it up and fill to max side wall pressure and slowly unscrew it while looking for bubbles.

If it bubbles screw it back in and drive to tire shop.

If not then mark side of tire and watch for a bit and confirm air pressure still at max.

Make a note and place on steering wheel to adjust pressure to normal before using.

Check pressure after a few days and if still good then set back to normal and check it often.

The "good news" is that I have a truck tire repair shop within 3 driving miles of where I am at. I can also have them to a road side repair at my site for a $75 call out fee if I need it.

I've removed the screw. It was 1.25" long. I wonder how thick the dead is in that part of the tire?

No air leaked when I first removed it. After inflating it to 120 PSI there was no evidence of leaking either.

My TPMS shows 119 PSI @ 54*. That gives me a reference for any changes to PSI due to temperature changes.

[jenandjon]

My wife got a 1/4 inch bolt on her car tire. They used a patch plug. That little screw is an easy fix.

[FunGus]

That's a short screw. Where I come from we call that a "quickie"

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