I just found a nail sticking out of my tire. There's no real way to tell how deep it is, but I just had these tires put on in December (maybe 5k miles on them).

Here is the pic:



What do you think I should do??


TIA,

Doug

 

Take your car to a local tire shop (Discount Tire, Les Schwab, Sears) and they'll take the nail out and put a rubber in the hole - all for ~10-15 dollars.


~limsandy

 

As shown in the picture, the nail didnt puncture the sidewall so yes, they will do it.


~limsandy

 

kickass. Thanks!

 

That's an easy fix. It's a punture wound not a gash or slash.

 

YOu can also go to walmart and get a plug kit. It is very easy to use.

First, you would just need to get some pliars and get the nail out.
2. Get the poker that comes in the kit and clean up the hole.
3. Then, get the plug(sticky stuff) and put it into the tool as specified and put it in the tire. Twist to get out, and then pull. Put air back into the tire and see if there are still leaks (Hint: get it wet with a little soapy water to know for sure. If you see any bubbles, the leak is not fixed. No bubbles=fixed.)
4. Clip off the excess plug, and go about your way.

 

you forgot to mention the rubber cement. it makes it easier to get the plug into the puncture wound and it helps seal it better.

 

I've always heard that if the tire's not leaking with a nail in it, LEAVE IT ALONE!

I think I've got a nail in two of my tires right now... I'll have to go home and check...

peace2u

 

Hey, try to get those nails out ASAP. It's not safe driving with punctured tires.


~limsandy

 

I second the recommendation to remove the nails and get the hole fixed. If nothing else, the will decide to come out all on their own at some truly inconvenient time and then you'll be on the side of the road.

Technically, (meaning: from anyone who wants to sell you a tire or "road hazard" insurance), once the tire carcass has been breached or damaged, the tire no longer has the same structural integrity it had from the factory and should be replaced. The speed rating no longer applies. Reality: as long as you're street driving (not racing), the proper patch of a small puncture is generally ok if it is in the tread area of the tire, not on the bead or sidewall. Plugging is supposed to be a temoprary solution until you can have the tire dismounted, the damage inspected, then a patch applied to the inside of the tire. If you're racing, ANY damage makes the tire a throw-away.

Oh, and DO NOT used those "fix a flat" products without telling your tire changer before he messes with your tire. Most contain VOC's as propellants (butane, methane, etc). VOC's can cause an EXPLOSION that can result in injury or death of your favorite tire changer, so do the man a favor and let the dude know you have fix a flat in there before he pulls your wheel.

 

i'd highly suggest you get this fixed up...

 

If you're riding on a high performance tire (one with a short sidewall or Z-rating) you need to get a special patch in the tire to maintain your tire rating. Considering I'm sure you paid big bucks for performance tires, I would get the matching patch. It's called a Mushroom patch - it's actually a patch and plug in one, very strong. Only custom wheel/tire shops normally do it. It's only like $20 tho. Anyways good luck,
-Cyrus