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Brand new Y with flat tire - my journey

Discussion in 'Model Y' started by Kamban, Dec 4, 2020.

  1. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    I just use a hockey puck with my floor jack. The issue is that most floor jacks have a big lifting surface and it covers too broad an area on the car.
     
  2. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    No. That uses a chemical sealant (slime). It won't work well with OEM foam insert tires. Look on Amazon. There are many tire plugging kits and compressors.
     
  3. MJP.P3D-

    MJP.P3D- Supporting Member

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    For those that use a plug kit to self-repair, are you doing the repair with the wheel/tire still mounted on the car? I have a long-ish trip coming and will buy a plug kit but want to ensure that a “repair while still mounted on the car” is viable as I don’t plan on carrying a jack. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.
     
  4. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    MJP.P3D- I'm interested to know HOW you can push a plug into the tire tread while the wheel is still on the car. Pushing at a right angle seems impossible.
     
  5. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    I plugged my S front with the wheel on the car. Very easy to turn the steering and get good angle.

    I just plugged my 3 rear this past weekend at home with the wheel off the car.
     
  6. MJP.P3D-

    MJP.P3D- Supporting Member

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    Thanks. Was thinking (after my original post) that a repair on the front would (should?) be relatively straightforward given the ability to turn the wheel as you’ve suggested. Back tire is likely more of a challenge—but still doable? Thanks again.
     
  7. MJP.P3D-

    MJP.P3D- Supporting Member

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    Yes—this is the crux of the issue. As @brkaus suggested, a repair on the front should be doable however the rears are definitely more of a challenge given the limited access. So—is it “impossible” as you’ve articulated, or just really difficult? Or, and thus the reason for my original query, has some enterprising TMC member come up with a handy solution (process) that they're willing to share...?
     
  8. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    How about YOU trying this????

    After removing the offending nail/screw, place the T-handled plugging tool in the hole, at a 45deg angle to the tire, and have someone roll/drive the car FORWARD very slowly!!!

    Let me know how that goes!
     
  9. MJP.P3D-

    MJP.P3D- Supporting Member

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    I don’t (currently) have a nail/screw in my tire or I would try it. YOU should chill out (and maybe go take your Meds)!
     
    • Like x 2
  10. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    I thought about the “prop the tool and drive forward” but I think it would likely end up with a busted tool or the plug pushed in too far.

    I’m guessing a few blocks of 2x4 built like a ramp might do it? Drive up on them with the offending tire.

    XXX
    XXXXXX
    XXXXXXXXXXX

    that’s how I deal with a low car and a floor jack.
     
  11. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    brkaus: that actually makes sense, except 2x6 even better...2x4 too narrow.
    MJP.P3D-no meds involved. Just playing around here, as I wait for my VIN.
     
  12. brkaus

    brkaus Well-Known Member

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    Yup. Starts to be a weight/size trade off. As long as the tire holds some air and it’s balanced on solid ground with the other wheels in full contact it should be ok. At home I do use a 2x6
     
  13. Itsuo-DC

    Itsuo-DC Supporting Member

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    Just highlighting that slime doesn't seem like a good option for foam insert tires.
     
    • Like x 3
  14. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    Not all sealants are the same. I used Continental sealant (water base, with my Nissan Leaf), and it worked exactly as described. Remove nail, fill tire to 40psi with sealant, drive 25-30mph to distribute evenly, stopped, looked at the hole, white sealant had come out and had dried up. Drove on the tire for a week (250 miles?), no air leakage. Took the wheel/tire to NTB (close by), they removed the tire, flushed it out with water, inspected TPMS, ALL GOOD, tire lasted another 5 k miles until an accident took it out.

    HOWEVER, I've heard only negative things about sealant being used with the foam-lined tires (Tesla OEM Conti). The 5/8" thick foam can prevent the sealant from reaching the hole. In addition, the foam doesn't allow the sealant to distribute evenly, which can create balancing problems.

    Hence the problem. I spoke at length with a serious car guy at my local Tesla SC, and he's been trying to find a donut spare for his BMWs for more than a decade. With the Tesla, the ONLY viable solution for driving outside Tesla service range is to carry a spare. (Yes, I know about Magic Spare, but it's almost full-size!)

    I'm going to try to find someone who has, or can make, an adapter/spacer that would fit between Tesla hub and Mercedes/VAG wheel. I've located a couple of "young" used Vredestein Space Master spares from Audi or Mercedes. I might buy one and hope it will fit, with a spacer, and clear the caliper and fender opening.

    What a royal PIA!!! Shame on the auto industry, eliminating the spare since how long...15, 16 years???
     
    • Informative x 1
  15. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    • Like x 2
  16. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    I can't edit my posts. I meant to say "Modern Spare', not Magic Spare"

    They seem to have a great product, but the Vredestein Space Master is smaller. Still working on it.
     
  17. origingalatic

    origingalatic Member

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    How come Tesla doesn't warn you of it? This made it look like it's workable on all Tesla vehicles.
     
  18. Feathermerchan

    Feathermerchan Active Member

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    I think that the first Teslas did not have foam in their tires.
     
  19. Itsuo-DC

    Itsuo-DC Supporting Member

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    This might explain why the Tesla tire repair kit has sealant in it?
     
  20. Pianewman

    Pianewman Member

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    Clarification: The foam in some tires is a solid band under the tread area, for sound-deadening purposes. It isn't intended, nor would it function, as a puncture sealant.
     

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