When a flat tire happens, you must seek proper tire repair before continuing to drive. A trained technician must remove the tire from the rim to inspect both the interior and exterior of the sidewall. Check out this blog to learn about tire repair!
Plugs and sealants are not safe or recommended for tire repair. The correct, long-lasting repair procedure includes demounting the tire, removing the puncture, and internally applying a patch/plug combo.
Punctured Tire Repair
A puncture repair involves inserting a plug or patch into the hole to seal it off. This can be a quick and easy fix, but it’s not permanent and can come out of place. A more permanent solution is a patch-plug repair, which involves removing the tire from the wheel assembly and thoroughly inspecting it for other damage, including tyre damage, according to the Tire Industry Association.
The tyre should also be inspected for the size of the puncture. For fabric-ply passenger tires, the maximum repairable puncture is 1/4 inch (6mm). It’s important to note that punctures and other damages to the shoulder or sidewall of a tire are generally not repairable and must be replaced. This is due to the flexing of these areas which may cause further damage to the inner liner and structural integrity of the tyre. The tire should then be remounted, inflated, balanced and mounted back onto the vehicle. A patch-plug repair takes longer than a plug-only repair, but offers the longest lasting solution.
Tread Repair
It’s no secret that a flat tire can be an extremely stressful situation. Even worse, when your tire goes out at an inconvenient time such as after 6pm or on a Sunday morning, finding someone to help you can be difficult.
Mobile tire service mechanics can offer you peace of mind if you get into this trouble because they are always just a phone call away. They can also offer services like wheel alignment and tire rotation that can help prevent your tires from going bad in the first place.
Commercial tire technicians have to resist the urge to repair everything with a rubber stem and patch unit because, as every tire dealer knows, it’s a roll of the dice for everyone when a patch-only tire gets back into service. Injuries in the sidewall and tread cannot overlap and, without being able to inspect the damage area for corrosion, it’s impossible to know how much rust may have developed since the original repair.
Alignment
Getting your car into alignment is one of the best ways to extend your tires’ life. Uneven tread wear causes premature, expensive tire replacement and can compromise the vehicle’s handling. An alignment adjusts the angles of your suspension system to ensure the wheels are perpendicular to each other and parallel to each other.
The mechanic will adjust the camber angle, toe angle and caster of your car’s tires and wheels to match the manufacturer specifications. Typically, the mechanic will use a machine to evaluate and record these measurements. Some auto shops offer a digital alignment, which is more accurate but costs more.
You can’t avoid hitting every pothole or concrete barrier on the road, but these small impacts can throw your car’s suspension out of alignment over time. Your tires are also more likely to go cockeyed if you change to a different type or even rotate them more frequently. A tire rebalancing is a separate service that uses a machine to detect imbalances and add weights in the form of tiny metal balls or spheres to counteract them. Les Schwab includes rebalancing with all tire rotations.
Tire Replacement
Many tire repair issues are not caused by the tires themselves but by the way the vehicle is driven, parked or maintained. Uneven tread wear, poor alignment and low or improper tire pressure can all contribute to premature tire deterioration and expensive repairs.
There are a few instances where tire repairs are not possible or recommended, including if the tire puncture is in the crown of the tire (the area between the tread and sidewall). A patch cannot be applied to this section and it should instead be replaced.
Another example is if the rubber valve stem has cracked or deteriorated, causing a slow leak. A professional can replace the stem and reinstall the tire to solve this issue. This is an additional reason to always visit a trained professional when it comes to repairing or replacing your tires. They will know what is best for your safety and the longevity of your tires.
Contact Us for Tire Repair Services
At A1 Quality Repair, we offer comprehensive tire repair services to keep your car running safely and smoothly. Our experienced technicians will use the latest technology and equipment to repair your tires quickly and efficiently.
We offer a wide range of tire repair services, including:
- Flat tire repair
- Tire balancing
- Tire rotation
- Tire replacement
- Tire alignment
To schedule an appointment for tire repair, please contact us. We look forward to helping you keep your car running safely and smoothly.