[JSJP]

I have plugged 3 tires with this kit:

Amazon.com: WYNNsky Heavy Duty Tire Repair Tools Kit - 54 Pcs Set Truck Tool Box for Motorcycle, ATV, Jeep, Truck, Tractor Flat Tire Plug Kit : Automotive

Buy WYNNsky Heavy Duty Tire Repair Tools Kit - 54 Pcs Set Truck Tool Box for Motorcycle, ATV, Jeep, Truck, Tractor Flat Tire Plug Kit: Tire Repair Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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I trash canned the plastic box and put everything into a GI Surplus canvas medical pouch. The lube is really helpful for getting the plugs into tires.

I even used about 3 or 4 plugs on the sidewall of a gal's 4Runner. Told her that she needs to get the tire replaced ASAP. She better not do a Darwin / Tide Pod Challenge and see how long she can go with a plugged sidewall. She finished the trail plus drove 3 hours home afterwards. Then had the tire replaced the following day.

That’s a nice kit. Thanks for posting that up.

 

[allikanbe]

Plug kits with the sticky ropes and cement are better than the "button" plugs. I've used the ropes on my motorcyle tires too. When I take flat tires to a garage, they use a plug that is cemented on the inside of the tire with the plug part poking through the hole in the tire. Better than a plug you can put in yourself on the side of the road.

 

[Chugiakguy]

Hey all, I was looking at smaller tire repair kits with the plugs to keep in my Jeep, but I've never had the need or opportunity to use tire plugs before. So I was hoping to get some answers or advice about them. This is more with the idea of making a temporary repair while traveling or while off-road, to be professionally plugged and patched later, rather than trying to make a permanent tire repair.

1) I notice that some repair kits have plugs along with a lubricant, some have plugs along with a contact cement, and others have just the plugs themselves. So is a lubricant and/or contact cement necessary to plugging a hole? Or does it depend on the exact plugs that you are using?

2) Does the damaged tire need to be jacked-up and off the ground to make the repair, or can you plug it while the vehicle is sitting normally?

3) If one has a hole caused by the penetration of something other than perfectly round, not a nail or a screw, but say by a pointed rock (this happened to me once) that leaves a somewhat irregular hole, can such a hole still be plugged?

4) In the case of #3, is it ever advisable to try using more than one plug in the same hole, if one plug does not sufficiently seal the hole due to being not quite large enough?

Thanks everyone!

 

[vanhalo]

I have the ARB kit. Used it to fix my lawn mower tire last summer.

 

[Chugiakguy]

I have the ARB kit. Used it to fix my lawn mower tire last summer.

So if I recall correctly, that kit has the lubricant, but not the contact cement, along with the plugs and tools necessary to install them, is that right VanHalo?

Any particular problems plugging your tire, or was it pretty straightforward?

 

[vanhalo]

So if I recall correctly, that kit has the lubricant, but not the contact cement, along with the plugs and tools necessary to install them, is that right VanHalo?

Any particular problems plugging your tire, or was it pretty straightforward?

no contact cement.

it was pretty straight forward.

I keep it in my Jeep now.

Amazon.com: ARB 10000011 Speedy Seal 2 - Universal Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit For Car, Truck, RV, Jeep, ATV, Motorcycle, Tractor, Trailer. Flat Tire Puncture Repair Kit Fix Punctures and Plug Flats 50 String Plug : Automotive

Buy ARB 10000011 Speedy Seal 2 - Universal Heavy Duty Tire Repair Kit For Car, Truck, RV, Jeep, ATV, Motorcycle, Tractor, Trailer. Flat Tire Puncture Repair Kit Fix Punctures and Plug Flats 50 String Plug: Tire Repair Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

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[armyvet25]

My plugs require rubber cement with the plug, it does 2 things, acts like a lubricant to install the plug, and later heat vulcanizes the plug to the tire, virtually impossible to remove, no need for patching. In my 60+ yrs of living never had a plug fail, patches are for odd shaped or extremely large holes, no need for them most of the time although I hear they make some feel all warm and fuzzy inside lol

 

[Got it at last]

My plugs require rubber cement with the plug, it does 2 things, acts like a lubricant to install the plug, and later heat vulcanizes the plug to the tire, virtually impossible to remove, no need for patching. In my 60+ yrs of living never had a plug fail, patches are for odd shaped or extremely large holes, no need for them most of the time although I hear they make some fell all warm and fuzzy inside lol

I'd agree. Plugs (done right) will take care of most repairs and last the life of the tire.
Any hole too big for a plug and requiring a patch is too big to trust as safe to drive and means it's time to go tire shopping.
JMHO...

 

[wheels082]

I have used a plug to repair a tire many times. Never had a plug fail yet either.

 

[dmulk]

Here's what I carry. Over the course of one trip I had the unfortunate luck of winning three punctures in the same tire.

Western Weld 4" Brown Tire Plug Repair Self Vulcanizing String Insert - 60 Inserts https://a.co/d/1RvN09x

Limited-time deal: BETOOLL Tire Repair Kit 24 Pcs for Car, Motorcycle, ATV, Jeep, Truck, Tractor Flat Tire Puncture Repair https://a.co/d/9DyMFYk

I agree with the sentiments above about using cement as the lube and vulcanizing agent.Some plugs don't require it because they have the agent built into it but I've had better results using the cement with these also.

Also, the ARB is a nice kit.

 

[Chugiakguy]

Thanks for the feedback and tips, guys!

 

[Chugiakguy]

So Dmulk, from your photo it would appear that you did not need to jack-up the tire for any reason before plugging it, would I be correct on that? That is one aspect of doing this kind of tire repair that I've never heard mentioned, whether for some reason the tire needs to be jacked-up in order to properly plug it, or not.

 

[dmulk]

So Dmulk, from your photo it would appear that you did not need to jack-up the tire for any reason before plugging it, would I be correct on that? That is one aspect of doing this kind of tire repair that I've never heard mentioned, whether for some reason the tire needs to be jacked-up in order to properly plug it, or not.

That's correct. Unless the tire is off the bead, you simply move the jeep until the tire holds it's profile at the puncture area and you can get to it with the tool and plugs.. I've done this a dozen+ times and it's worked fine every time.

Also, make sure to give it a 1/4 to half turn "twist" before quickly jerking it out. Some kits say to do this others say to avoid this but the times I haven't done this I've sometimes had a slow leak and had to replace the plug. I've never had a leak using the twist and pull method.

This trip was with a few friend on the NVBDR. I had it plugged and inflated in less than 10 mins and back on the route.

When I'm on the trail I typically run with my TPMS displayed so I can keep an eye on pressures. This saved me on this trip because I wouldn't have felt the tire deflate, I noticed the pressure dropping in the tire, pulled over in time to save it from coming off the bead.

Adventure on!

 

[Chugiakguy]

When I'm on the trail I typically run with my TPMS displayed so I can keep an eye on pressures. This saved me on this trip because I wouldn't have felt the tire deflate, I noticed the pressure dropping in the tire, pulled over in time to save it from coming off the bead.

That is an excellent idea, Dmulk! Thanks for that tip.

 

[Bluovalguy]

A lot of motorcycle plug kits don’t require anything other than the plug and tools to install it. They are extremely sticky.

I figure if they are safe enough to trust on two wheels, then I probably don’t need anything more elaborate for the Jeep.

That may be dependent on the brand though, so some kits may require cement or sealant.

EDIT: apparently I said almost the same thing earlier several days ago. Sorry for the repost!

 

[D Robs]

The instructions are pretty straight forward that came with the kit I posted above. You can plug the tire on the vehicle.

The plugs are sticky, no rubber cement is needed. I lube both tools and depending on how difficult it seem, I may put a little lube on the plug. I also pried apart the tines on the insertion tool. They seemed to really want to hold on to the plug on the 1st tire instead of releasing it into the hole. Widening them made them release the plug easier.

I'll use multiple plugs on a side wall cut. If the hole in the tread was huge, you might try more than 1 plug. I've never need to though.

 

[Chugiakguy]

The instructions are pretty straight forward that came with the kit I posted above. You can plug the tire on the vehicle.
View attachment 4573461

The plugs are sticky, no rubber cement is needed. I lube both tools and depending on how difficult it seem, I may put a little lube on the plug. I also pried apart the tines on the insertion tool. They seemed to really want to hold on to the plug on the 1st tire instead of releasing it into the hole. Widening them made them release the plug easier.

I'll use multiple plugs on a side wall cut. If the hole in the tread was huge, you might try more than 1 plug. I've never need to though.

Thanks D Robs --- I had never seen that explicit a procedure for plugging a tire. Although it does look pretty straightforward and obvious.

"I also pried apart the tines on the insertion tool. They seemed to really want to hold on to the plug on the 1st tire instead of releasing it into the hole"
​

That is interesting, as I had thought about exactly that, looking at those insertion tools and wondering how easily they would (or would not) release the plug into the hole once fully inserted. In a couple of references I read where it was suggested to turn the tool 90 degrees after fully inserting the plug in order to release it, although I can't immediately see what benefit doing that would be.

 

[Got it at last]

The instructions are pretty straight forward that came with the kit I posted above. You can plug the tire on the vehicle.
View attachment 4573461


I'll use multiple plugs on a side wall cut. If the hole in the tread was huge, you might try more than 1 plug. I've never need to though.

Responsible tire shops will not repair sidewalls for a reason. If you have to do it to get off the trail or limp to a shop is one thing. Relying on a sidewall repair for extended duty or high speeds is Ill advised.

 

[D Robs]

Responsible tire shops will not repair sidewalls for a reason. If you have to do it to get off the trail or limp to a shop is one thing. Relying on a sidewall repair for extended duty or high speeds is Ill advised.

Correct. You can plug a sidewall to limp off a trail. It is definitely not a permanent fix. As I mentioned on page 1: Don't test fate or do a tide pod challenge and see how long you can drive with a plugged sidewall.

 

[D Robs]

Couple videos: