I am down with the plug kit. There are just so many different variations I was trying to figure out which kit was the best based on people actually using them.
I think this is the kit you are talking about: Harbor Freight Tire plug kit
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Anyone have experience with tire plug kits?
- Thread starter JoJa15
- Start date
I think this is the kit you are talking about: Harbor Freight Tire plug kit
Yep, that's the one. $4 with a coupon!
Make sure you cut it open somewhat before you throw it in the car- those packages are a pain to open without scissors or a knife.
JCtx
Member
I don't trust the ones that can dry out, since I live in the freaking desert. Had a bad experience with one, but my riding buddy (it was on a motorcycle that time) fortunately had his Stop'nGo kit, and it worked like a charm. So that's what I bought since then. It uses rubber mushrooms, so they never go bad... or at least they last WAY longer than any other system IMO. Anyway, I only had to use it once on an M3 V8, about 10 years after I bought it, and it worked perfectly. Well, the first plug failed about 100 miles later, but it was my fault for not ramming the hole much better (radial belts cut off the mushroom's head). But when I did that, it lasted over 300 miles, so got me home safely, even in 100F+ heat, and up to 75 mph. That's what I've carried on my vehicles and motorcycles for decades. Oh, but on the bikes I carry CO2 cartridges, and on the vehicles, 12V compressors.
Candleflame
Active Member
this stuff looks weird. usually the kits have two korkscrew type things - one for piercing and one for plugging with some resin...
jimm01
Member
It seems impressive, no glue necessary, replaceable tips, plugs have integral tip. However, I never used it.
I've used quite a few different tire repair kits, they all worked. However, the first issues is the metal at the tip on some of the insertion tools may soften after repeated repairs, and the second is the reamer may wear, (this was after many years).
In any case, plugging a tire may require considerable force to push through the belt with the reamer. The better this is done the easier it will be to insert the plug (maybe practiced on an old tire after drilling through it with a small bit). Make sure you have a pump to repalce the air. Finally buy a pair of needle nose pliers with handles large enough to get enough leverage to remove what's penetrated the tire.
jimm01
Member
Tire pressure will make inserting the tool more difficult. Also rotate the tire so you can easily apply force, and make sure the tire will not rotate.
The problem with these standard tire plugs is how much force is needed to push through the hole to insert the plug. This can be a bear when laying down on the ground pushing with all your might. Reaming the hole as much as you can does help but only so much. I may now consider the Gun.
Exactly. When you pull the object out and if the tire isn’t too far gone, and can quickly jam the tool in the hole to stop the air etc… maybe you have a shot. But without a compressor. I don’t see how it will work since you have to take the object out and it will really start to go flat before you could plug it? Compressor is required or run flats. Which many probably don’t want that. Carry a donut spare in the trunk? IDK. AAA!?!
The Tire Plugger gun solved this problem. You actually should let some of the air out of the tire to relieve some of the pressure and make it easier. The gun works pretty well. It has a metal nozzle, just insert, keep it flush and pull the trigger, done. Fill it up and cut off the excess stem.
Thank you. I'm all in but dang this thing is expensive. Thanks for the update. Checking them out now.
PianoAl
Active Member
I carry a plug kit, spare, compressor ...
And a bicycle pump. It's much easier to pump up a car tire with a bicycle floor pump than you'd think. I've done it.
And a bicycle pump. It's much easier to pump up a car tire with a bicycle floor pump than you'd think. I've done it.
Dolemite
is my name
PianoAl
Active Member
Dolemite
is my name
I second Safety Seal. Used it all the time working at my uncle's gas station 20 years ago while in college. Recently picked up a kit for myself and the design doesn't seem to have changed one bit and for good reason. I've broken other plug kit tools fixing tires.
So I’ve been swearing by tire plug kits for a long time. I had one that started leaking about 6 months after I plugged it.
I took it to Costco, discount tire, and a local small shop. None of them would touch it since it had already been patched.
From now on, I’ll only consider in an emergency.
I took it to Costco, discount tire, and a local small shop. None of them would touch it since it had already been patched.
From now on, I’ll only consider in an emergency.
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