Reparing Leak in Tire Side Wall

[Sasquatch Jones]

I have a slow lead in the side wall that came from scraping some kind of sharp object laying by the curb. Looks like a 1/2-inch cut, but jagged. Tire is tubeless radial. Is it possible to patch something like this on the side wall? Patch kits say they are for the tread but don't say specifically not to use them on the side.

2nd thought -- can I put a tube in it? Seems like I remember tire places say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why not.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

SJ

[Pico Rico]

2nd thought -- can I put a tube in it? Seems like I remember tire places say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why not.

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have done just that in the past.

[Dan Espen]

A tube should work, but any kind of cut could lead to a blow out. Especially one on the side wall. I say replace the tire.

[jamesgang]

sharp object laying by the curb. Looks like a 1/2-inch cut, but jagged. T ire is tubeless radial. Is it possible to patch something like this on the side wall? Patch kits say they are for the tread but don't say specifical ly not to use them on the side.

s say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why not.

Typically the flexing renders any fix sort term. That's why they say not t o try to repair sidewalls.

[IYM]

Yeah - Your not supposed to patch a side wall. Mostly it's due to the flexing the sidewall does, the patch won't hold long anyway but that

1/2" tear you got will end up weakening and as the previous poster mentioned, a blowout could happen. Don't ever stick a plug in the side wall either - That will spread the steel bands and weaken the wall worse. I've gotten away with having a plug stuck in on the very edge of the tread before, (but still facing the road) where your not supposed to have one, but was in a situation where I had no choice. Still fine after 30K miles there, but never would I do a sidewall. I don't see why a tube wouldn't be fine, but would patch the tire on the inside so no chance of the tube having any issues with where the cut was.

But all in all, with the price for a tube & repair why not just get a new tire? If your really hard up for $$, you can even buy used with decent tread left. I've never done it before, but have seen used tire places so someone does.. :)

[Frank]

I agree. Steel is in the belt and sidewalls are probably polyester plies. If these are cut, tire would be at risk to patch as flexing is in the sidewall and any repair would probably not be permanent.

[yrag.neslo]

I had a friend who had a puncture in his tire sidewall. No one would fix it , until he found a tire shop that would fix it for cash.

It lasted about 9 months, until on a trip between San Diego and the Bay Are a it blew on Interstate 5 in the central valley of California. The Expediti on caught the shoulder and rolled, killing him, paralyzing one of his passe ngers, and seriously injuring the other four.

[Tony Hwang]

Hi, Safety #1. right? I'd try to find a similar used tire. I wouldn't have peace of mind if I have a tire with side wall problem specially driving on freeway.

[gfretwell]

That is an EX tire. Make a swing out of it and buy a new one.

Tubes don't work that well in a radial either.

[Pico Rico]

let me add: mine was a radial tire and I got many miles out of it with the tube. However the hole in the sidewall was the tiniest of holes from hitting the curb, not your 1/2" jagged fright.

[Stormin Mormon]

Some decades ago, I used to have box of sidewall patches. NOt sure I'd trust one.

I'd also suggest replace.

- . Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

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[RobertMacy]

if a radial, the tire is now compromised and is DANGEROUS. Sorry replace it.

[Frank]

A long time ago I did some tire cord R&D. We had a test where tires were run and load and speed increased until catastrophic failure. I've seen pictures of these tires before failure and they were frightening in how much they deformed and flexed. You don't want to run your tires any where near the max or have a defective tire running at high speed.

[clare]

Radial sidewalls are quite fragile -and repairing them is generally not recommended. A clean puncture is one thing, but a "bruise" is another. If it has not damaged any cords (unlikely by your description) a tube MIGHT be acceptable - but it must be a tube made for radial tires - such as a Michelin AirStop. Even then, heating can be a problem. I would STRONGLY recommend replacing the tire.

>

[clare]

Strange - I've NEVER seen a radial tire with steel in the sidewalls.

[rbowman]

I picked up 3 decent tires on craigslist. The guy had damaged one of the set and was anal enough that he didn't want a mismatched tire.

As for the OP, my pickup doesn't get out much and is on retreads that are old enough to vote. Two have developed sidewall leaks just sitting in the driveway. I figured if they were that far gone I would trust a tube, hence craigslist. I just couldn't see dropping $150 a tire for something that gets out of the driveway once a year or so.

When I was looking, I saw a lot of tires on craigslist.

[Sasquatch Jones]

2nd thought -- can I put a tube in it? Seems like I remember tire places say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why not.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

===

Thanks many times over everyone! Both front tires are both close to needing replacing anyway. I'll catch one of the Veterans Day sales.

[Jeff Strickland]

2nd thought -- can I put a tube in it? Seems like I remember tire places say tubeless can't be fixed with a tube, but I can't see why not.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help.

SJ

++++++++++++++++++++ You cannot repair a sidewall. Let me say that differently, go to the tire store where they fix tires that leak, they will not repair a sidewall.

You need to buy a new tire.

[Jeff Strickland]

Worst advice ever. A tube will not work, that's why they do not put them in. Firstly, without a rim that can be taken apart, the tire mounting machine can pinch the tube and damage it before the first pound of air goes in. Secondly, tubeless tires are built differently than tube-type tires. Thirdly, the sidewall of a tire is by design the weakest part of the tire, it is typically two-ply where the tread is four-ply. The sidewall constantly moves and changes shape, and if there is a tear, then the tear will be even weaker and a catastrophic failure is all but certain.

At best, a tube will hold air. It will not make the sidewall sufficient to carry the vehicle. Do not put a tube into a tubeless tire. You have to go to the tire store to have the tire and rim broken down, so they are the venue for putting the tube in and they will not do it.

[Jeff Strickland]

You are correct, there is no steel in the sidewall. Steel belts are only in the tread area.