HOLY HELL! I got SCREWED!!!

4374 Views 28 Replies 25 Participants Last post by MileHigh, Apr 19, 2011

Ironside

Discussion Starter · Apr 15, 2011

So the other day I was driving the Challenger and the low tire pressure light came on. I didn't think much of it because it appeared all of my tires were a bit low.

I top them all up and go about my business. Well, about two days later the light comes on again! I'm thinkin "hmmm... Now THAT'S weird" since I just topped them up.

According to the EVIC my rear passenger side tire had dropped to 24PSI! I took the car in to the dealership so they could do the free top up with nitrogen thing. I asked the guy what he thought the issue was and he said something about how it could be a bad seal and I should drive it for a week to see what happens.

The next day I drive to work without issue but noticed my PSI creeping down from 32PSI. It was 30, then 29... When I got out of work it was back down to 24PSI!

I thought, "OK, something's seriously wrong here!" I got out my flashlight and got down on the ground to see what kind of shenanigans might be going on here.

The following is what I found:

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1 - 20 of 29 Posts

snowcat256

· #2 · Apr 15, 2011

lost screw

I was wondering where I lost that. Thx for picking it up for me. :notallthere:

Harpslinger

· #3 · Apr 15, 2011

You should take the screw back to the dealer and throw it at the mechanic.

noz34me

· #4 · Apr 15, 2011

If you just plugged that from the outside, that may be a good temporary fix, but the tire should be removed and it plugged/patched from the inside. Even Walmart doesn't plug tires anymore.

Just a thought.

GreatAmerican

· #5 · Apr 15, 2011

Your dealership should have found that screw. I would be leary of having them do any service work on your car.

MileHigh

· #6 · Apr 15, 2011

The plug is just a fix to get it to a tire shop. You probably need a new tire. When you plugged it Im guessing you reamed the hole with the rasp tool? When you do that to a tire it usually cuts some of the metal belt cords, and ruins the tire. Its no big deal on a typical passenger car tire, but on a ZR rated high speed tire you take a chance of it coming apart. I just had the same thing happen and plugged it to get home since hole was to big for the fix a flat to work. I bought a new tire........

vichammer

· #7 · Apr 15, 2011

MileHigh said:
The plug is just a fix to get it to a tire shop. You probably need a new tire. When you plugged it Im guessing you reamed the hole with the rasp tool? When you do that to a tire it usually cuts some of the metal belt cords, and ruins the tire. Its no big deal on a typical passenger car tire, but on a ZR rated high speed tire you take a chance of it coming apart. I just had the same thing happen and plugged it to get home since hole was to big for the fix a flat to work. I bought a new tire........

I agree. On the one hand, most of those plugs actually outlast the tire, and I might chance it on a normal duty tire on the rear of a beater car, but not on Z-rated rubber because the structure of the belts is compromised.

Goehner

· #8 · Apr 15, 2011

Not really the way I like to get screwed, but sometimes you have no choice.

sixxpack

· #9 · Apr 15, 2011

That's the way they fix the tires on our police cruisers, nice eh?
B.T.W. you have way too much time on your hands taking all those pics of your repair.

Boatman

· #10 · Apr 15, 2011

Nice thread about a flat tire. lol

NYCSRTATE

· #11 · Apr 15, 2011

GreatAmerican said:
Your dealership should have found that screw. I would be leary of having them do any service work on your car.

I have to echo this, thats scary that they cant find a screw in a tire. :werd:

aarcuda

· #12 · Apr 15, 2011

I have plugged lots of tires that way. never had a tire blow apart afterward. but I dont drive at +120 mph.

Ironside

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 15, 2011 (Edited)

sixxpack said:
That's the way they fix the tires on our police cruisers, nice eh?
B.T.W. you have way too much time on your hands taking all those pics of your repair.

Haha... I had my cell phone in my pocket so I thought "why not pull it out and take a few pics for ChallengerTalk" :browsmiley:

But yeah, so I should really replace the tire? I don't see this Challenger getting up to 120MPH that's for sure. Highway cruising speeds is pretty well as fast as she's gonna go (100-120km/h)

I'd think twice about going to the track before replacing it though.

Worst part is, I have a "Tire Guard" warranty; 3 years or 60,000km which covers damage from road hazards, screws, pot holes etc. It will even cover the cost of a replacement tire! The coverage came with my car...

The only PROBLEM is that you have to take your car to be repaired by the dealership that sold you the car, and in MY case that dealership is 4 hours away! (since I bought a leftover '10 I had to go where the stock was!

Do you think plugging it could cause catastrophic failure (I.e. I'm cruising along and the tire blows out?) or will it just start leaking again in which case I can monitor the EVIC (or manually check it) every now and then to see if the plug will hold.

My dad seems to think that those plugs are very good and I shouldn't have an issue after this.

I'd like to hear more opinions on the matter!

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STONEWHITE R/T

· #14 · Apr 15, 2011

You should have done a late night BURN-OUT with a video! Nice sparks show. Sheet metal shop near you?

OChallenger

· #15 · Apr 15, 2011

Harpslinger said:
You should take the screw back to the dealer and throw it at the mechanic.

Ditto!! :fight:

bwbike

· #16 · Apr 15, 2011

A properly inserted plug will usually last the life of the tire if it's not on the edge of the tread.

I have no issue using string plugs (like you used) or the mushroom type (installed with a gun-like tool). I've done many plugs over the years and never had any fears of tire failure. Once I had a plug develop a slow leak after a year or so; I re-did it and it lasted for the rest of the tread life.

My car didn't come with a spare (couldn't even order one), so I carry a plug kit with me. If (when) I get a flat, I'll plug the tire without worry.

Cuda340

· #17 · Apr 15, 2011

If you drive at "normal" speeds there should be no issue with a hole that was plugged properly. The issue would only come up with sustained high speeds.

If you are worried about that, use the plugged tire for a spare and buy a new wheel and tire.

pdx.challenger

· #18 · Apr 15, 2011

Goehner said:
Not really the way I like to get screwed, but sometimes you have no choice.

I take it you've been to prison.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Walaby

· #19 · Apr 15, 2011

I've plugged many tires over the years and never, ever had an issue. For normal driving, I don't think you'll ever see a problem, or a difference. Although you MAY have just voided your road hazard warranty for that one particular tire.

BlueMeanie

· #20 · Apr 15, 2011 (Edited)

noz34me said:
If you just plugged that from the outside, that may be a good temporary fix, but the tire should be removed and it plugged/patched from the inside. Even Walmart doesn't plug tires anymore.

Just a thought.

Your correct, a patch from the inside is the prudent repair,
BUT ... of the dozens of tire repairs just using a plug, going all the way back to my 69 Chevelle, never, ever, had a plug leak, come out or in any other way fail, your results may vary.

And certainly on an expensive rim, the risk of scratching or marring the rim breaking down the tire on a machine is not worth it to me, I'll plug a tire in a heart beat.

I just recently plugged a slow leak, (had a screw in one of the rears, for six months, it was just easier adding a litte air every other week then dealing with it, and yes dare I say it, I just use air, not nitrogen, (but as my sig indicates, it's the Premuim grade air, ...)
:smoker:

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