Went to Autozone last night for a damn big nail in my front tire...

[MJZ]

So as I was heading out to the gym, I noticed a clunking sound up front. Pulled into a DK and checked it... EFF!!!

I clunked down the road to Autozone and asked what to do... never had to deal with this before lol.

Picked up a $10 patch kit, pulled the thing out, cleaned the hole, stuck it in hard and pulled it out. Seems like its holding pretty well.

IN the mean time, one guy working there and another guy shopping asked me what year Camry I had and when they started making the TRD models.

If my tires weren't near death (currently aruond 4/32nds), I would be far more pissed off.

So, how long do these usually last? Will they die?

It was a green packaging like "Slim" brand or something.

[skyxliner]

I don't know if you've used the emergency kind where it actually sprays something inside the tire. Those will only last a certain amount of miles before it starts leaking again. Usually made so you can drive to a safe area.

Replace those tires asap if you've used those.



had you went to a proper repair shop, you could of saved the tire for a bit longer

[MJZ]

Nope, used a tire plug kit.

[TrailDust]

It'll last the life of the tire, especially if you used rubber cement in the process.

[touringcamry]

I've punctured a near new tire before..Tire shop patched it up and it never leaked.

Just be glad you're not like me an run over a piece of rebar. That type of damage is irreparable.

[Pawel062]

yep if done right it will last. my dad does the fixes all the time. never any problems. they use a slim jim type of piece and stick it in tire and then cut it to size.

[Dave-o]

Boston roads are terrible, I have the worst luck myself since for my job all I do is drive around... each of my tires I've patched at least twice in the last 1 1/2 years

I hate Mass. roads with a passion

I had 2 separate objects in the same tire last week too

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

It'll last the life of the tire, especially if you used rubber cement in the process.

Coated it everywhere in rubber cement per recommendation of Autozone guy

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by Dave-o

Boston roads are terrible, I have the worst luck myself since for my job all I do is drive around... each of my tires I've patched at least twice in the last 1 1/2 years

I hate Mass. roads with a passion

I had 2 separate objects in the same tire last week too

I like Mass roads compared to Manhattan roads

Went to the NY Auto show a month or so ago and the car felt like it was embattled on a sea of raging waves.

[Drizzt]

[quote=MJZ;3195030]So as I was heading out to the gym, I noticed a clunking sound up front. Pulled into a DK and checked it... EFF!!!

I clunked down the road to Autozone and asked what to do... never had to deal with this before lol.

Picked up a $10 patch kit, pulled the thing out, cleaned the hole, stuck it in hard and pulled it out.


I shot water outta my nose when i just read this. Sry im 3 sheets to the wind, haha, anyway, i always thought the plug was a more temporary than long term solotion, I usually get them patched for 20 bucks.

[MJZ]

[quote=Drizzt;3195285]

Originally Posted by MJZ

So as I was heading out to the gym, I noticed a clunking sound up front. Pulled into a DK and checked it... EFF!!!

I clunked down the road to Autozone and asked what to do... never had to deal with this before lol.

Picked up a $10 patch kit, pulled the thing out, cleaned the hole, stuck it in hard and pulled it out.


I shot water outta my nose when i just read this. Sry im 3 sheets to the wind, haha, anyway, i always thought the plug was a more temporary than long term solotion, I usually get them patched for 20 bucks.

Lol, yes it was 7pm and shops were no longer open. I had to get it out so I went to Autozone.

Went to a shop today (VIP Auto). 3 techs came out before I even finished parking the car. They told me I'm all set and that using Slime was good quality and it is permanent/will last the life of the tire.

They walked around my car and stared at wheels and rear and asked me if it was a real TRD model. It's all about the exhaust now...

[workerant]

Yep, emergency kit + booster pack with pump + flash light

[JohnGD]

I didnt' realize that's ok for radial tires. Because for radial tires you have to remove and stick a patch on the inside like a bandage.

I'd get it patched by a tire shop and re-balanced. I buy tires at Costco. Free road hazard warranty, rotation and balance pretty much for the life of the tire.

Originally Posted by MJZ

Coated it everywhere in rubber cement per recommendation of Autozone guy

[MJZ]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

I didnt' realize that's ok for radial tires. Because for radial tires you have to remove and stick a patch on the inside like a bandage.

I'd get it patched by a tire shop and re-balanced. I buy tires at Costco. Free road hazard warranty, rotation and balance pretty much for the life of the tire.

Yup, new technolog has "self vulcanizing" plugs that melt into the tire. Virtually all consumer tires are radial tires.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

I didnt' realize that's ok for radial tires. Because for radial tires you have to remove and stick a patch on the inside like a bandage.

I'd get it patched by a tire shop and re-balanced. I buy tires at Costco. Free road hazard warranty, rotation and balance pretty much for the life of the tire.

Costco is competitive, but their selection is limited.

Personally, I've never purchased tires or road hazard and I'm still ahead. Road hazard for the tires I've purchase typically were about 45-50/set of 4. For 7 sets, that could be as much as $350. I've had to replace one tire @ $120 and 6 or so patches at $15 each (tire shop patch). Total is $210.