Thread: Causes of Punctures

Incorrect tyre pressures (i.e. too low) can be a big contributing factor to punctures.

Originally Posted by vnx205

However none of the flat tyres has anything to do with the quality of the tyres.
Two were caused by nails or screws, one was caused by the wire in the tread being damaged and bent by an earlier puncture and poking a hole in the tube and one was caused by the brass bit of the valve stem separating from the rubber bit.

Wouldnt the quality of the tyre have something to do with it being able to resist a puncture from something like a nail or screw?

As for my comments, unfortunately I dont have all the details of the punctures, but from what I recall they all happened on gibber type plains. So here the quality of the tyre would have a big impact on their resistance to punctures.

You do raise a point though. But often people just want a mass consensus on a type of tyre. I in particular wouldnt want all the details of each puncture because I know that a nail could puncture even the best of tyres...I would want a generally idea of their puncture resistance though and the experience people have with them.

Angus

The biggest cause of flat tyres (as opposed to punctures) in my experience has been the quality of tubes used. Unless you ask for something like Michelin tubes the tyre joint will put in Taiwanese condoms, to save a few bucks (for them, not you)

As you can tell none of my last 4WDs have run tubeless tyres.

From my experience tread penetration can happen to any tyre if the object is big/sharp enough and in the right place.


Martyn

Originally Posted by McDisco

Wouldnt the quality of the tyre have something to do with it being able to resist a puncture from something like a nail or screw? Angus

Yes, I believe you are right but in my case the radials, which I'm sure are better than my old rag retreads, were the ones to get a nail or a screw through the tread.

Originally Posted by McDisco

As for my comments, unfortunately I dont have all the details of the punctures, but from what I recall they all happened on gibber type plains. So here the quality of the tyre would have a big impact on their resistance to punctures.

You do raise a point though. But often people just want a mass consensus on a type of tyre. I in particular wouldnt want all the details of each puncture because I know that a nail could puncture even the best of tyres...I would want a generally idea of their puncture resistance though and the experience people have with them.
Angus

Fair enough.
I suppose I meant that there are times when it would be helpful to know some more details.
Some punctures can probably be attributed to tyre quality.
Some are the result of operator error.
Some are probably just bad luck.
I just thought that the number of punctures alone is not enough of a guide.
I had a better run out of my rag retreads over 23 years than I have had out of the radials in one year. But I know it's not because the retreads are a better tyre.

I have had more punctures since moving into the country. All but one was a nail or screw. The only one I don't know for certain was the last one I had which was with tubes. That one I don't know but the side wall and tube were both destroyed.

the disco has only ever had one failure in nearly 5 years of on and off road around here; tarmac to rough as guts....

i picked up a bunch of crappy steely bits when i was at the lismore tip;
took my mate, crusty, the local tyre fixer, about a six pack and lots of swearing to sort that one,

that tyre's is still onboard (about 3 years), with a tube inside...

but on the way back from perth (in a fairlane), i lost 3 (new) tyres in about 1000ks, the tread fell off...


hmmm


GQ

Ahhh what causes puntures.........

Well it is really simple....
Anything that pierces the outer carcas and lets the side with the higher pressure equalise with the lower pressure side....

If only we could keep the tyre the same pressure ratio to the atmosphere....

Hi i used to run tubes for many years in my vehicles, a lot of flats back then.

ever since my Rovers are fitted with Disco tubeless rims or 130 tubeless rims, hardly any flats at all, but they can come unstuck if your running very low tire pressure.
Fixing a flat is easy, tires don't have to come of the rim, all you need a repair set and a pump.

good night

Richard