Flat tire.

[brokenujoint]

Just some rambling from a jeeper, even though it wasnt IN my jeep...


So I got a nail in my 2010 Honda Civic. the nail lasted all day and finally came out while at a gas station of all places. Flat tire in about 20 seconds. Changed it out in about 5 minutes. Then I went over to America's Tire. Closed of course. It was 530pm.. Then I went over to a FireStone. Open til 6. They looked at my tire and said," Nope we cant fix it. It's to close to the side wall.." Funny thing, it was about 2" inboard on the tread from the side and still in the tread pattern. "Yeah, it's 125.00 plus tax, balancing and disposal fee, so 163.00."
EXCUSE ME!? So I left.

Next day I went to America's tire. With in 5 minutes they said yeah we can fix it no problem. Its in our limits. They pulled it off the rim, plugged it from the inside, balanced it, installed it and cleaned all 4 tires. all in about 15 minutes. How much do I owe you guys? Nothing, its free... I gave the guy who did the work a 10.00 tip and was on my way...

Firestone also charges 18.95 even if they can fix it.
VIVA LA AMERICAS TIRE!. They've been my choice for over 15 yrs now and they deserve a shout out! BTW it was the Santa Ana, CA store.
And 1030.00 out the door for four 35x15 MTR kevlar's mounted, balanced and lifetime balance and road hazard FYI

[Materdaddy]

FYI, Evan's Tire will repair nail holes in tires for free too. I had a nail in my truck tire in June that they repaired free of charge. I was also worried because it was only about .5" from the sidewall. I've heard there's a "rule of thumb" which is about a thumb width from the sidewall.

EDIT: Looks like Evan's Tire locations are all in SD. This isn't relevant for most of MJR.

[brokenujoint]

if its San Diego and not South Dakota, I'm ok with that, I move in 2 wks. now i need to find some Bronco Peak locals.

[Roger]

Side walls can be patched also. the Big Chains won't do it though. You need to find the small out of way the shops in the poor part of town, usually owned by a Hispanic guy.

[Kodiak Spirit]

Roger! FOR SHAME!

pm me dat adress? :devil:

[chris142]

I've had different experiances with Americas Tire. The one near my work sux. They won't work with you and every tire is not repairable like the Firestone guy said. The one over by the Mall will work with you, reduce prices etc to get your business.

I patched a sidewall bullet hole on my old Scout when I had it. Held fine but I only used it off road at slow speeds.

[Ol Man]

Everyone who has goes off road should have a Safety Seal tire kit:

http://www.safetyseal.com/store/autokits.htm

[Materdaddy]

Everyone who has goes off road should have a Safety Seal tire kit:

http://www.safetyseal.com/store/autokits.htm

Is there any reason to buy the ~$50 safetyseal kit over a $10 kit from the auto-parts store (and extra plugs)? Just the injection molded case?

[Ol Man]

Is there any reason to buy the ~$50 safetyseal kit over a $10 kit from the auto-parts store (and extra plugs)? Just the injection molded case?

All you have to do is look at the quality of the two tools included in the kit, the insertion lube and the plugs themselves. I carry a kit in my Jeep, in my FToy and my motorhome.

[nwoods]

As Ol Man knows, the tools are MUCH better in either the Safety Seal kit or the ARB kit. I personally like the contoured handles in the ARB kit. Interestingly, Bill Burke thinks that the rubber plugs vulcanize (melt together) better in the Safety Seal kits than the ARB. I have the rubber inserts from both, and haven't really noticed much difference. I don't think either kit is $50. I think I paid $30?

Another great kit to check out is this one:
http://www.offroadtrailtools.com/sho...t_detail&p=308

[Materdaddy]

I don't think either kit is $50. I think I paid $30?

Do you have a link for one either the ARB or SafetySeal kit for only $30? Looking around, (including Ol Man's link) I always seem to find them right around $50.

Another great kit to check out is this one:
http://www.offroadtrailtools.com/sho...t_detail&p=308

Upping the bid with a $90 kit... a $90 kit from Nathan... can we get $100? (in your best auctioneer voice)
:bonk:

[nwoods]

Well, probably got mine at one of the off road product shows... But I found the ARB consistently under $40:
http://www.google.com/m/products?oe=...ire+repair+kit

This is one of my preferred vendors:
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/ind...t_detail&p=379

The Saftey Seal kit seems to be a bit higher priced. Just their plugs alone cost over $30!

[Materdaddy]

Thanks for the links. I've seen (and searched) a bit for the Safety Seal kit in the past. Somehow I've never come across the ARB kit which seems a little more sane price-wise.

I'm sure the tools are nicer in the Safety Seal and ARB kits than the cheap auto parts store kits, but not orders of magnitude better. I can consider a $30 kit like the ARB you linked.

[Jeeperator]

Americas tire is awesome with great service. Just had a rotation and a rebalance done free of charge.Do it every 6000 miles.I buy all my tires there but not at their prices they normally charge. I find their tire prices are a bit inflated and in order to get the best deal you need to shop around and have AT price match. I have done it mutiple times and saved at least $500 over the last 2 times I have done it. Factory and store rebates help also.

[chris142]

Is there any reason to buy the ~$50 safetyseal kit over a $10 kit from the auto-parts store (and extra plugs)? Just the injection molded case?

The first time that the plastic handle breaks and you end up jabbing your hand with the metal rod that holds the plugs will be your last.

I've had that happen to me with the cheap tools.

I've got a Safety Seal kit and another that I got off the Mac Tool truck thats basically the same. Has metal handles and replacable parts.