[Prithvi Mundur]

Originally Posted by dvl666

Re: Sidewall puncture
I have just recently replaced a tyre due to sidewall puncture. I was told sidewall repairs dont last/are risky & since I take my car on highways I should replace the tyre.

Was I taken for a ride?

It would last even on highways.
In my case, have driven over 2k kms on highways after a sidewall fix without any issue thus far.
If you still find it to be risky, you can consider using it as a stepney.

[SLK]

Originally Posted by dvl666

I have just recently replaced a tyre due to sidewall puncture. I was told sidewall repairs dont last/are risky & since I take my car on highways I should replace the tyre.

Was I taken for a ride?

No, this is correct. Sidewall is supposed to flex as the tyre rotates. Plus the sidewalls are not as strong as the tread area to hold a hole under stress. Sidewall repair are makeshift solutions, should not be relied upon even if they continue to plug the leak.

[bblost]

I entered the Hyderabad ORR from the TSPA Junction and less than min or so later, the low pressure warning popped on my dashboard.

Pulled over the car and found the embedded screw looking back at me.


Put the warning triangle a couple of meters behind the car.


Removed the screw.


I carry a puncture repair kit and an air pump in the car.


Made the hole a little bigger.


Threaded the plug material thru the eyelet and then stabbed it into the tire.
This actually takes some significant amount of force.


Used my box cutters to trim it up.


Back on the road in less than 10 mins after topping up the air.

[glovins2004]

Originally Posted by bblost

I

Removed the screw

Glad you did it on your own. How hard was it to pierce through the tyre? I have seen professional puncture shop guys struggle and their hands are shaking, just curious to know.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by glovins2004

Glad you did it on your own.How hard it was to pierce through the tier, I have seen professional puncture shop guys struggle and their hands are shaking, just curious to know.

It takes a serious amount of pressure. Next time I will apply a little water or something to kind of lubricate the opening.

Also while my kit was sturdy, I think a thicker handle would have helped a lot.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by glovins2004

Glad you did it on your own.How hard it was to pierce through the tier, I have seen professional puncture shop guys struggle and their hands are shaking, just curious to know.

Originally Posted by bblost

It takes a serious amount of pressure. Next time I will apply a little water or something to kind of lubricate the opening.

Also while my kit was sturdy, I think a thicker handle would have helped a lot.

It is more so difficult to put in the patch in a completely flat tire. So, if your tire is already flat completely, better to fill in some air before attempting to push in the patch.

[Rodie09]

Also, I am thinking this was relatively easier to do in front tyre as one could access the area by turning the wheels out of arches. Same thing for the rear tyre can be a struggle where one may not get enough room to apply pressure properly.

I have one such screw lodged in my ride's rear left tyre, and hence the question.

On a sidenote, the screw is lodged so well that the pressure is hardly dropping - am just being lazy to get this fixed.

[NinerWhiskey]

I found myself in a very similar situation after taking the Kanakpura exit on the NICE Road (Bangalore) one day. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my puncture repair kit actively with me, as it was in my Maruti. I did have the portable pump luckily! Stranded with a puncture and no puncture shop in sight, I quickly ordered the same Stanley kit as yours in the picture through Blinkit — it was a lifesaver!
Once it arrived, I managed to plug the tire on the roadside itself. I was more excited about being saved by blinkit rather than the inconvenience of being subject to a puncture!

Originally Posted by bblost

I carry a puncture repair kit and an air pump in the car.

I have the genuine Honda pump that works off of the 12V socket, It's cute but slightly big. Your Bosch pump is very practical, Is it battery operated? Would you recommend it to other road users?

Originally Posted by bblost

Threaded the plug material and then stabbed it into the tire. This actually takes some significant amount of force.

And yes, it really does take more force than you'd expect to push the plug into the tire. I too noticed the metal handle on the insertion tool flexing slightly — it would've been great if it were a bit thicker and more solid.

Originally Posted by bblost

Removed the screw.

In your case, it was a thick screw intact. For me, it was a thin, deeply embedded metal nail with the head being cut off. That made it extremely difficult to locate the puncture using my regular drinking water. Once I got home, I repurposed my empty 3M tire dresser bottle and filled it with a DIY soapy water mix (Water + 5 drops of shampoo). I now keep it in the wheel well alongside the repair kit. It makes spotting punctures super easy — the bubbles help identify even the tiniest air leaks instantly. I would highly recommend this little addition to your kit.

Oh and Also, The warning sign on the road was the cherry on the cake.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by NinerWhiskey

Once it arrived, I managed to plug the tire on the roadside itself.

I have the genuine Honda pump that works off of the 12V socket, It's cute but slightly big. Your Bosch pump is very practical, Is it battery operated? Would you recommend it to other road users?

Yes its battery powered. Its great for topping up air in the car and bike.
If its fully charged, it will fill up about 2-3 completely deflated large SUV tires but that is pushing it to the extreme.
Its ideal for bikes and works ok for sedans/hatchbacks.

And yes, it really does take more force than you'd expect to push the plug into the tire. I too noticed the metal handle on the insertion tool flexing slightly — it would've been great if it were a bit thicker and more solid.

Exactly

I would highly recommend this little addition to your kit.

Brilliant.
I did have a bottle of colin spray but your plan of shampoo is much better.

Oh and Also, The warning sign on the road was the cherry on the cake.

Thank you.

[carhead]

Faced an issue with my Amaze Bridgestone 15 inch tubeless radials.

Got 4 leaks- 2 in side wall & 2 in the tread. Puncturewalla inserted 4 mushrooms. Charge Rs 300 X 4~ Rs 1100. I use Nitrogen. The leaks were very minor and caught during refilling.

My query: This is a 3 year-old tyre, having run barely 12K km. A new tyre costs Rs 5K.

Isn't there a more cost efficient solution?

[xVpuredrive]

@bblost Your post is an eye opener for me. I often travel on the ORR and then NH 65 where there is always some kind of construction going on but never occured to me that we can encounter such situations on highways. I always carry a Solimo pump in the boot and after your post I should carry a puncture kit as well. Thank you

[saket77]

Originally Posted by carhead

Faced an issue with my Amaze Bridgestone 15 inch tubeless radials.

Got 4 leaks- 2 in side wall & 2 in the tread. Puncturewalla inserted 4 mushrooms. Charge Rs 300 X 4~ Rs 1100. I use Nitrogen. The leaks were very minor and caught during refilling.

My query: This is a 3 year-old tyre, having run barely 12K km. A new tyre costs Rs 5K.

Isn't there a more cost efficient solution?

Move it to rear axle and put in a tube. If not already knowing, learn to swap tires with the spare tire. It’sa skill all drivers should learn. This way though you’ll lose the benefits of tubeless tire which is resistance against instant deflation when punctured but would be more reliable in the longer term. I ran this kind of set up in my old civic for quite some time without any issues.

[glvenubt11]

Hi

My Car's front wheel got stuck with a similar screw last week. I patched it on my own, once I reached home. Wondering how these screws end up on road. I thought these are used for indoor works (mostly furniture). Also i used a rubber based gel on the patch (came along with puncture kit) that significantly reduces the pressure needed, to apply patch. Not sure if every kit has it.