Tire plugs screw type?

[folivier]

I've always carried tire plugs and the reamer and insert tool along with an air compressor in my car and off-road vehicles. I've used them many times throughout the years. It's so much quicker to just plug a tire than change it. Or have to wait for road service. Tires today are much better and when you get a nail or screw it's usually just a slow leak allowing you time to get to a tire repair place.
But I still like to repair my own leaks. A couple weeks ago I had a screw in the rear tire. No problem, found it with soapy water. Marked it with a silver Sharpie, unscrewed it. Got out my plug kit. Barely had the upper body strength to ream out then insert the plug.
I've seen these new type of tire plugs that just screw in.
Has anyone used these yet?

https://www.amazon.com/Repair-Service-Motorcycle-Tractor-Puncture/dp/B0C2ZC77G5/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2TPYB1BGDMBK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iS81entFu9RDQ_LYJdbytMJB9NNnRLrqv7wyPOV7X4C_HtauGLD6Sy6aCCHDY-O5IYSKxxgEV79kq2zegwbGcGU9i44Y2rTZXNvGKNF2OHjlhkB7sUit7WQGgqyb6ijaexneb7MJE2o8d7vkvPMlc9UDm4lRhqybet1Ds1XGsNnKBNcPKxuaQydAjlmdxE8anjX5QqFYFN19R76bntKIIOPotilTV2T13pEK420stp5R1SLFjx5M_s01V-_NSIcJN6-7W60kKcSVqEHfZSg7rodDQDYbA8pL8TUPKKkiw8E.F8eC2bDKGPvRRz2QibKQknPhA-rBjHSmOSHibMxJuAk&dib_tag=se&keywords=tire%2Bplugs%2Bscrew%2Btype&qid=1777379444&refinements=p_72%3A1248861011&rnid=1248859011&sprefix=tire%2Bpl%2Caps%2C876&sr=8-18&th=1

 

[freedomatlast]

Bought some (not from Amazon) for emergencies. Haven't tried them yet but have no doubt they will work as advertised.

 

[street]

I haven't used them but have the type you mentioned when you pull the plug through the hole. I never repaired one tire after I did the repair with pulling plug through the hole. The plugs will last as long as the tire in my experience.

My question is on this screw in type plug, how do you screw them in the tire?? I would think they would work fine though.

 

[COcheesehead]

I’ve carry a plug kit for my bike tires. I have never used it. Now watch, today will be the day.

 

[Flieger]

Plugged a tire that had a large nail. It was fine for a while, but now has started slowly leaking again. Down to 4 on measurement so ordered tires from Discount Tire to replace. Got the certificates so won't need plugs going forward.

Flieger

 

[FD1000]

I switched from NTB and Tire Plus to Discount Tire more than 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back.

It started with a flat tire; NTB refused to fix it unless I paid. A nearby Discount Tire took care of it for free, using a proper patch, even though I hadn’t bought the tire from them. That kind of service stuck with me.

Since then, I’ve found they consistently offer the best prices (just tell them about competitors) and the fastest service around. More importantly, they honor the tire thread credit without making excuses or blaming things like missed rotations or minor alignment issues.

 

[freedomatlast]

My question is on this screw in type plug, how do you screw them in the tire??

With a screwdriver that's included with most of the decent kits, or use your own.

Looks like you may have to use your own screwdriver with the cheapo Amazon kit in OP's message.

 

[OldShooter]

If it works, don't fix it. I'll stick with the gummy worms in the kits from NAPA.

 

[Texas Proud]

I switched from NTB and Tire Plus to Discount Tire more than 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back.

It started with a flat tire; NTB refused to fix it unless I paid. A nearby Discount Tire took care of it for free, using a proper patch, even though I hadn’t bought the tire from them. That kind of service stuck with me.

Since then, I’ve found they consistently offer the best prices (just tell them about competitors) and the fastest service around. More importantly, they honor the tire thread credit without making excuses or blaming things like missed rotations or minor alignment issues.

Agree!!!

And they even helped me get a credit (I did a lot of the work but they helped get it across the line) on OE tires!! The tires if bought new had a 30K warranty... but mine were worn at 15K... got a 50% discount on the new tires I bought and Discount worked to get the credit from the tire manufacturer...

Me, I would not plug a tire unless I had too... they stop the leak but can cause other problems... and these screws look to me like they might cause a problem when the tire get worn... I wonder what happens to them?

 

[FD1000]

Minivans eat tires, usually at 15-20K miles.
I buy 60K thread. This means I hardly pay for new tires because the credit is so high.

 

[jazz4cash]

I’ve never plugged my own tire. Last road hazzard repair I had they said was too close to the sidewall to repair and another shop confirmed. How close to the sidewall do these plugs work?

 

[freedomatlast]

Tire shops are overly conservative on this. I use a "rule of thumb" literally, if it's at least a thumb width away from the edge, I'll plug it.

I had a screw in a tire last fall. Sam's Club wouldn't plug it, and wanted to sell me 4 new tires since it was an AWD vehicle with a little over half the tread left. I took it home and plugged with a conventional plug just like I've been doing for the last 40 years, and it's fine. It was slightly more than a thumb width away from the edge.

Conventional plugs that I installed have always lasted, without exception, the life of the tire for me.

 

[freedomatlast]

Barely had the upper body strength to ream out then insert the plug.

If you're at home when you're plugging it, you can use a drill to ream out the hole.

 

[OldShooter]

I’ve never plugged my own tire. Last road hazzard repair I had they said was too close to the sidewall to repair and another shop confirmed. How close to the sidewall do these plugs work?

They need to be going into the thick tread area, not the thinner sidewall. If you're not in that thick area the plug may not hold. You can gamble if you like, put in a plug, check the plug area with spray 409 every few days, looking for bubbles. If bubbles, its time for a new tire.

I switched from NTB and Tire Plus to Discount Tire more than 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back.

Yes. Discount Tire is literally the only national brand where I have any loyalty. They have been generous with me multiple time. From the perspective of a long-time manager, I credit their outstanding employee attitude. No evenings, no Sundays, and the people rotate between being tire busters and manning the customer desks. Everybody is literally on the same team.

Agree!!!

Yes

Me, I would not plug a tire unless I had too... they stop the leak but can cause other problems ...

What kind of problems? I have never had an issue and I have plugged many tires over the years.

 

[folivier]

Part of the idea of using plugs is being able to quickly fix a tire when you're a long way from a tire place. Or at night.
I've never had a plug leak either. Even used multiple plugs in my RZR on the sidewall to get back. That one did leak but I had to replace it anyway.

 

[MC Rider]

If you're at home when you're plugging it, you can use a drill to ream out the hole.

I did this last time. The object that made the puncture was so small I could not really see it. Just the bubble when I did the soapy rag trick. Could not force the plug reamer or plug in there for anything, so did the drill, and was then able to plug it. Lasted the life of the tire, just like ones in the past.

 

[freedomatlast]

The last time I did this, it was on a front tire in my driveway, so I didn't bother removing the tire and wheel. I just turned the steering wheel and rolled a little bit till the tire was in the perfect position to accept the plug. As I was using the drill to ream out the hole, I happened to look up and someone was walking down the sidewalk staring at me with a strange look, probably thinking, why on earth is this crazy car guy drilling a hole in his tire? I just smiled and waived hello.

 

[Montecfo]

I appreciate the comments about great tire retailers. But unless they come out and fix your flat, not sure the relevance.

The idea is a fix where you do not need to change it.

Helpful for a future without spares.

 

[Sorcerer]

I've only ever had one plug that didn't work. It was in the perfect spot on the tire that there shouldn't have been any issues.

I use the plugs but it's really not the "right" way to fix a leak on a car/truck. Tires should be patched from the inside. We have a local place. It costs around $20. Either way, if you're a diy'r, use the plugs. They usually hold up.

 

[Texas Proud]

They need to be going into the thick tread area, not the thinner sidewall. If you're not in that thick area the plug may not hold. You can gamble if you like, put in a plug, check the plug area with spray 409 every few days, looking for bubbles. If bubbles, its time for a new tire.

Yes. Discount Tire is literally the only national brand where I have any loyalty. They have been generous with me multiple time. From the perspective of a long-time manager, I credit their outstanding employee attitude. No evenings, no Sundays, and the people rotate between being tire busters and manning the customer desks. Everybody is literally on the same team.

Yes

What kind of problems? I have never had an issue and I have plugged many tires over the years.

The ones that were mentioned by Discount is that you cannot see if the inside of the tire has been compromised.. one flat I had they showed me the tire... it was filled with lots of broken rubber.. the question would be how long you drive with low air.

Also, it does not seal the tire from water both inside and out... the steel belts can rust...

I did a search and there were a few more, but I had not heard them so I will follow rules and not post...

 

[Workinprogress]

Mechanic here.
I have repaired many peoples attempts at plugging tires. Sometimes the only repair is tire replacement, due to poor installation or multiple plugs.

I would only recommend the referenced plug bandaid for emergency repair, followed up by a propper repair.

In 49 years of mechanicing, I have yet to run into a case where I needed to use a plug, though the service truck always had then on hand.

Obviously my observations are biased due to my primarily seeing the ones that fail, not the successes.

A propper repair involves a vulcanized patch/plug that seals the steel cords from moisture intrusion.

Old mechanic rant off...