Screw in tyre — to remove or not?

[iannicki]

I happened to notice that I have collected what looks like a tek screw between the tread. No idea if it is a short or long tek screw.

Not sure how long it has been there, but tyre pressure appears not to be dropping.

I was planning on replacing tyres in about 10–15k.

Do I:

a. take it out and hope it hasn't penetrated through the casing, or

b. just wait and monitor? (while not doing any long or off road trips)

Thanks for your thoughts.

130668

[trout1105]

I would take it out and if it is only a short screw and the tyre doesn't leak after it is removed all is good, If it does leak shove a plug in there.

[Tombie]

Plugs for road are illegal and can be dangerous.

Drive to tyre store, take it out... if it’s. A problem you are where it can be fixed [emoji6]

[cripesamighty]

For safety's sake and peace of mind, I would take it to a tyre store and sort it there. You definitely don't want to be driving around with something embedded in your tyres.

[scarry]

We get quite a few in our vans,driving on building sites doesn't help.

What we do is get some soapy water,put it around the screw,using a small paint brush.Also give the screw a push with a large screwdriver,if no bubbles,then pull it out and check for bubbles again.

No bubbles,all good.


Bubbles,off to the local tyre guy.

[Mick_Marsh]

Plugs for road are illegal and can be dangerous.

Drive to tyre store, take it out... if it’s. A problem you are where it can be fixed [emoji6]
My tyre fellow uses plugs. Why are they illegal? He tells me the ones he uses are legal.

[trout1105]

Plugs for road are illegal and can be dangerous.

Drive to tyre store, take it out... if it’s. A problem you are where it can be fixed [emoji6]

If plugs were illegal then why are they readily available anywhere in Australia?
Also if you are stuck in the middle of Woop Woop with a puncture how are you going to get your tyre to the local tyre joint and get it fixed to get you going again?

[RobA]

There are two sorts of plugs.

Strings which are illegal and for emergency use only. Most commonly found in all tyre repair kits

Mushroom plugs which require a tyre dismount, at least one side, as they are inserted from inside the case and glued in with the correct glue

So when any tyre guy says he uses plugs and they are legal there is a 99% chance they are talking mushroom plugs.

We carry both in the repair kit and have for the last 20 years or so. Both have their place and time of use. If I need to dismount a tyre I have the kit and all is fine. Glue is replaced every 12 months

Rob

[weeds]

If plugs were illegal then why are they readily available anywhere in Australia?
Also if you are stuck in the middle of Woop Woop with a puncture how are you going to get your tyre to the local tyre joint and get it fixed to get you going again?

I haven't a clue if tyre plugs are illegal or not but there are lots off items that you can purchase that may not be legal for raid use. It's up to the purchaser to ensure its fitted and used in the right environment..

Tyre plugs
Wheel spacers
>2" spring lift
>2" diameter tyres
Replacement headlight assemblies
And the list goes on.

Me, well I have carried tyre plugs for years, never needed them myself but did help a club member out years ago who had a puncture. Never fave it a second thought if they are legal or not.

[trout1105]

I am pretty sure that plugs are legal to use But they are Not recommended as the best option.
However if it is your only option to use a plug then they will get you out of trouble.

[weeds]

I quick search indicate they are illegal, I see there is an Australian standard for tyre repair which would more than likely make reference to tyreplugs

[DiscoJeffster]

Read RobA’s post. Mushroom plugs, as installed by a tyre fitter are perfectly legal, but require removal of the tyre to fit. I can dig up the Australian Standard for tyre repair if required.
The plugs you get at Supercheap that can be inserted yourself without dismounting are not legal for use on the road. They will get you out of a bind off-road but should be replaced with a mushroom plug correctly administered before road use.

Close enough
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/~/media/files/documents/safety-and-road-rules/vsi16.pdf?la=en

Discusses both permanent and temporary plug usage and the legality.

[bee utey]

A screw in a tyre will (even if not leaking air) let water at the steel belts, possibly leading to delamination. A tyre shop visit would be the best bet. Mushroom headed plugs are a reliable fix for small tread holes.

[DiscoMick]

Yep, take it to a tyre shop. Don't take any risk.

[donh54]

The repair of passenger tyres in Australia is governed by the Australian Standard AS 1973:1993. It is important for effective and reliable tyre repairs that they are performed in accordance to this standard.

The most common damage to tyres is without a doubt tread puncture, which will statistically occur approximately every 100,000km.

Injuries to tyres can be classified into major and minor repairs; minor repairs consist of damage limited to rubber only or tread punctures to a maximum size of between 6 – 10mm, depending on the tyre classification. These types of tyre damage can be repaired using minor repair methodology as per the Australian Standard.

Where tyre damage exceeds these limits, then damage will be classified as major damage requiring a different repair methodology to be applied.

Found at:

Guideline for tyre repairs (https://www.mta-sa.asn.au/imis_prod/MTA/News/MTAReports/MTA_Report_2014_December/Guideline_for_tyre_repairs.aspx)

I've certainly used them before, with no problems, for such things as nail, screw, wire punctures.
And probably will do so in the future. [thumbsupbig]

[Tombie]

I am pretty sure that plugs are legal to use But they are Not recommended as the best option.
However if it is your only option to use a plug then they will get you out of trouble.

2 seconds to google and you’d have known [emoji41]

And yes, I’d use them to get out of trouble until I could fit a mushroom tyre plug.. [emoji41]

[trout1105]

I did Google it But found nowhere that gave a definitive answer, If you have found this why not share the link?