Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:14:55 -0400
Reply-To: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Tire Damage Question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Did any repair shops take the time to explain to you the reason why they won't touch this type of damage? The sidewall flexes the most of any part of a tire, so patching a defect that falls anywhere outside of the flat tread area is strictly forbidden. It simply won't hold when driven and could let go suddenly and catastrophically at speed in a corner. Who wants to be the one responsible for that accident/ injury/ death lawsuit? No professional that I know of.
Now, many shops are not patching anything at all, due to excessive liability. It's better for them to sell you a new tire, any liability there is on the manufacturer. A sidewall (or shoulder) repair voids any warrantees.
BTW, a plug is not good, as air pressure will work it's way around the plug and get between the plies, ultimately causing tread separation at speed. Only a patch from the inside is acceptable and even then, NOWHERE near the sidewall or shoulder due to excessive flex that is normal on those areas.
If you do find someone willing to plug/ patch this hole, your surviving family members will know who to sue when it fails...........
Mike B.
----- Original Message -----
From: John Rodgers
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 5:46 PM
Subject: Re: Tire Damage Question
I talked to the dealer from whom I bought the tires - and was told that
I should bring the tire in, let them have a look. He said there are some
repairs and repair methods appropriate for the location but it was
strictly a case by case situation and only after close inspection could
they tell if a repair was appropriate. As a side note - he said he has a
technician who can successfully patch a hole in the Hoover Dam and not
have a failure. So, we shall see what we shall see. I may just patch the
tire, spray the back side red, then retire it to spare-tire status only,
and get a new tire for on-the-road daily driving. The General Altimax is
on back-order right now by the local supply houses, so it may be a bit
anyway.
John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com
John Rodgers wrote:
> Just a short time ago, I bought a set of General Altimax Heavy Load
> 205/70/R14 M.S tires for my 88 GL. Yesterday I picked up a 1/8 inch dia.
> nail through the tire just at the very edge of the tread of the tire -
> to the outside of that part that sits on the road. Around here - no one
> wants to touch it for a repair.
>
> What is the opinion of The List tire gurus about repairing such damage
> as a nail puncture at that location. I hate to give up this brand new
> tire. I pulled the tire - but not the nail. The tire never has gone
> flat, even as I write now - it's maybe lost a pound of pressure. I drove
> for 25 miles on that tire before finding the nail quite by accident.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
| 
