Is this puncture repairable?

[Andreas]

Hey,

please have a look at the attached picture. It shows a small tear on the shoulder of the tread (Toyo Open Country A/T) - is this puncture repairable? I've found mixed information online, and thought I'd ask here.

And if this is not repairable, do I have to replace only this tyre, two tyres or all 4? I just bought the vehicle so I am not sure when the tyres where replaced last, but they seem in very good condition.

I appreciate all input!

 

[Red Oktober]

I personally would have said NO ... because the puncture is right on the shoulder of the tyre. ... shoulder repairs are illegal (so I've been led to believe)

only need to replace that tyre ... not the rest

 

[Beau]

It's most likely possible to repair, but as said above I don't think shoulder repairs are legal (in the UK). I've had shoulder repairs on 4x4 tyres before and not had any problem with them. That may be harder to tell as it's not so much of a hole but tear so harder to repair...

 

[yogi]

If its a tear and you can't round it out, no.

You'd need to stick the probe in to find out, but if its round then perfectly fixable. How legal it is well that's another question...... I'd fix it.

 

[Towpack]

ANY repair to the tyre in the photo would be illegal in the UK as would any repair not within 70% of the nominal tyre width measured centrally on the tread face. This also includes fitting a tube in a tubeless carcass. It's quite possible of course that the laws are different down under. Can't see why you'd have to change all the tyres though!!

 

[yogi]

ANY repair to the tyre in the photo would be illegal in the UK as would any repair not within 70% of the nominal tyre width measured centrally on the tread face. This also includes fitting a tube in a tubeless carcass. It's quite possible of course that the laws are different down under. Can't see why you'd have to change all the tyres though!!

I thought Norway was 'up above@???

There is a very long jump from 'legal' to sensible/usable in most of these things though. Seems a bit pointless to bin a perfectly good tyre, providing its not a slice.

 

[Towpack]

I thought Norway was 'up above@???

There is a very long jump from 'legal' to sensible/usable in most of these things though. Seems a bit pointless to bin a perfectly good tyre, providing its not a slice.

Norway? Eh?

I've driven cars and ridden with bikes with 'temporary' repair plugs in the tread until the tyres worn out but I personally wouldn't trust a repair on the shoulder like that. The tyre flex at that point is enormous, especially with a heavy vehicle like a LC.

 

[Andreas]

All right, it's not a problem if I only have to replace this one tyre. It's replacing all 4 because of this I'm trying to avoid. Thanks for the input, really appreciate it.

And about my location: I am from Norway, but I live down under. Hence the confusing profile info!

 

[clivehorridge]

I was wondering where the Gold Coast region of Norway was

I'd repair it but only if it stayed on the carrier. I wouldn't drive on it other than on a limp-home.

I've also done all the wrong things and got away with them, plugs in the sidewalls and all sorts of nonsense. After all we only live once but by the same token we only die once. Why take the chance for 100 quid.

I do find the "rules" can appear over-safe and a bit confusing though. I picked up some second hand remould offroad tyres once thinking they were a bargain. The damn things literally fell apart on me. I was on asphalt with them once and heard noises like stones hitting the inside of the wheel arches. It was blocks of tread coming off! Needless to say, they were binned faster than I bought them

 

[Paul_Humphreys]

It can be repaired, it would be sent away in the uk for a "Major repair", I have had this sort of repair done a few time. But if its holding air, just open it up and put some super glue in

 

[joinerman]

X2 on what paul says, I've seen far worse than that that have gone off for a major repair, come back looking like new, usually for around £40

 

[Ben]

X3!

I've had major side wall damage repaired before and over a year later and a few thousand k's the tyre is still going strong!

I don't know if sending tyres off to have them properly repaired is an option over her like in the UK, but I must find out!

 

[grantw]

I don't know if sending tyres off to have them properly repaired is an option over her like in the UK, but I must find out!

From what I've experienced Ben I would say no - don't know for 100% though.

 

[vrecha]

I had a very similar puncture last year in the middle of the Mauritania.



Repaired with pro tools (REMA TipTop) by me - unprofessionally, that is - I'm happy to say that after more than 5000 km on rough trails, the repair holds excellently.
So I'm almost sure your puncture can be repaired.
But legality of using such repaired tire in the UK is another question which should not be taken lightly.

 

[Towpack]

In the UK BSAU159 REFERS...
http://www.btmauk.com/data/files/Minor_repairs_to_passenger_car_and_light_van_tyres_31_May_2011.pdf

All mainstream/creditable tyre repair shops or garages are probably going to adhere to this code. A repair may be mechanically possible just about anywhere on the tyre but in a worst case scenario where you're involved in an accident and the tyre is found to have an 'illegal' repair you'll be in the s**t whether the tyre contributed to the accident or not. You know what insurance companies are like.

 

[Ben]

From what I've experienced Ben I would say no - don't know for 100% though.

Thats a shame.

I will do some searching.

In the UK BSAU159 REFERS...
http://www.btmauk.com/data/files/Minor_repairs_to_passenger_car_and_light_van_tyres_31_May_2011.pdf

All mainstream/creditable tyre repair shops or garages are probably going to adhere to this code. A repair may be mechanically possible just about anywhere on the tyre but in a worst case scenario where you're involved in an accident and the tyre is found to have an 'illegal' repair you'll be in the s**t whether the tyre contributed to the accident or not. You know what insurance companies are like.

That code is designed for normal tyre shops, who dont have the facilities to do hot vulcanizing repairs.

Contrary to what a lot of people clearly think, theres nothing wrong with having sidewall repairs and there totally legal in the UK, providing the repair is done by one of the few specialist companies in the UK and is done correctly using the hot vulcanizing method.

Some tyre shops claim not to even know about it, I suspect because they want you to buy a new tyre from them and/or cant be bothered to send the damaged tyre off to be repaired.

 

[clivehorridge]

ANY repair to the tyre in the photo would be illegal in the UK as would any repair not within 70% of the nominal tyre width measured centrally on the tread face. This also includes fitting a tube in a tubeless carcass. It's quite possible of course that the laws are different down under. Can't see why you'd have to change all the tyres though!!

How would that relate to Towpack's comment then Ben? I don't doubt either of you, but with such opposing opinions stemming from the same "law" it's not surprising that there are misconceptions...

 

[wobbly]

Its because the method Ben mentioned is classed as re-manufacturing, rather than repair.

Bit like remoulds, they arent repairing the tyre, they are remanufacturing it.

Pete