Screwed Tyre (Literally) - Options?

[pandas]

Hi guys,

Tyre was losing air so I took it into the local tyre joint to have it looked it. Appears that there is a screw that is pretty border line to the sidewall - which is deemed not repairable. Sent a photo to a mate who use to work at KMart Auto, he said if done properly can be repaired as these are pretty new tyres (I've had them for probably 2 months).

Basically I suspect I have 4 options here:
1. Take it to my mate or a another repairer to see if they can fix it.
2. Live with having the screw in the tyre for the remainder of its life, pump it up when necessary (sounds awfully painful)
3. Replace the single tyre with a new Pzero (Ouch).
4. Have a pretty mint Goodyear F1 Directional 5 on hand, which as done very low KMs as well (my luck with cars have been so so) - replace the single corner with this.

Just like to see everyone's thoughts on this, and thoughts of having a single mismatched tyre of the same size etc.

[AnmanIndustries]

Tyre repair is worth the gamble. Doesn't cost that much and if it sticks (I reckon 30-40% chance), money saved. Otherwise, it was a reasonable gamble with very minimal loss.

Or if you're like me, buy cheapest chinese tyre, put it on wheel that gets most of the power. Replace 2-3 times until the rest of the tyres catch up. Victory for all!

[Tuan]

That tyre looks like it's only done very few kms .. OUCH indeed.

My guess is the other 3 are in very good condition too ?

I'd do option 3 but I won't be happy about it.

[Umai Naa!!]

At the risk of a complete structural failure, I'd replace the tyre.

It's too close to the sidewall to repair, in my opinion.

[pandas]

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards replacing the tyre also after getting a better picture this morning.

Can someone advise of the downside of option 4 - mismatching the single corner with another branded performance tyre.

[VW Convert]

At the risk of a complete structural failure, I'd replace the tyre.

It's too close to the sidewall to repair, in my opinion.

I'm with you Umai, sidewall failure can have catastrophic consequences.

Question to the OP is, what is the price of replacing a tyre compared to the cost of not replacing it and a failure causing a major accident? It's a no brainer to me, no suspect tyre is worth the risk to your or someone else's life.

Cheers

George

[Guest001]

Have had tyres with small holes like that patched with a sleeve vulcanised inside As long as the threads are not broken which is what makes them unsafe and prone to a blowout. Would only ever use it on the rear and preferably only for a spare

[Umai Naa!!]

Have had tyres with small holes like that patched with a sleeve vulcanised inside As long as the threads are not broken which is what makes them unsafe and prone to a blowout. Would only ever use it on the rear and preferably only for a spare

When you enlarge the hole to pull the tread repair insert through, you break through the cords anyway.

However, the closer to the centre of the tread it is, the less of an issue it is.

[Umai Naa!!]

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards replacing the tyre also after getting a better picture this morning.

Can someone advise of the downside of option 4 - mismatching the single corner with another branded performance tyre.

Depends how worn the existing tyres are.

Although, I'd be leaning towards getting the same tyre as the others, if possible.

[AnmanIndustries]

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards replacing the tyre also after getting a better picture this morning.

Can someone advise of the downside of option 4 - mismatching the single corner with another branded performance tyre.

We do this with my wifes evo all the time. For some reason it is real prone to punctures. It has the same brand and wear on the rear, with an additional two brands at different stages of wear on the front. Is awd and is beat up badly, so we probably wouldnt notice much difference anyway.

[CraigR]

Cheap option. Repair it and see what happens.
Good option. Replace tyre.
Better option. Repair the pair - Given they are very close to new, just replacing the one would be fine.

At the end of the day, if you repair the tyre and it blows out on you doing >100, lose control and hit a concrete pillar, is the few hundred dollars still expensive?

[Guest001]

When you enlarge the hole to pull the tread repair insert through, you break through the cords anyway.

However, the closer to the centre of the tread it is, the less of an issue it is.

The one I had done was just a pinprick on the inside and so they put a full sleeve and didnt pull a insert through it

[pandas]

Ended up with getting it replaced at AAA Tyres Castle Hill. Kudos to James the manager there, can not fault the service he has provided.

Figured might as well do it while the other's are still relatively new - travel around way too much on highways and knowing my driving + the thought of putting lives at risk just wasn't worth it. Thanks guys.

[propellerhead92]

Definitely the better way to go in my book. Like CraigR says, is the few hundred still expensive if it saves you from having a high speed whoopsie?