Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2003 Archives
REPAIR OF SPEED-RATED TIRES
Some tire makers, such as Goodyear (http://www.goodyear.com/gov/policetires/servicebull.html), and Cooper (http://www.coopertire.com/tire_cooper/info-safety.html) allow speed-rated tires to be repaired. Depending on the tire maker's repair recommendation, a speed-rated tire may be advertised to retain its original speed rating or the tire maker may reduce the tire speed rating following a repair. If a tire is to be repaired, the repair should be limited to the tread area only (see Figure 2), and repairs should not be made if the damage is greater than 6 mm (0.25"). If damage to the tire is greater than 6 mm (0.25"), the tire must be replaced. NEVER perform a repair to the sidewall of a tire. Any repair made to the outside of the tread area will void most tire warranties, and may leave the tire unsafe for use. When repairing a tire, a patch or a plug-patch are typically the only recommended materials approved by the tire makers (see Figure 3). This is because the inner liner of the tire must remain sealed. Sealing the inner liner eliminates the chance of air penetrating between the rubber layers of the tire (see Figure 4). When this occurs, bulges on the inside and outside of the tire may occur, leaving a tire susceptible to a blowout. A blowout causes the tire to lose air very quickly. This may cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle. When repairing a tire, it must be removed from the wheel, and the inside of the tire inspected. After determining that the inner liner of the tire did not suffer any damage, a chemical buffing solution is used to remove any release agents left on the inner liner. This solution also softens the inner liner so it can be buffed smooth. A patch or plug-patch will not seal properly if applied to a contoured (non-smooth) surface. After the tire has been inspected and prepared, the appropriate sealing material must be selected. If the tire has a small pinhole puncture, a patch may be used on the inside of the tire to seal the damage. If the puncture is larger than a pinhole, but smaller than 6 mm (0.25"), the appropriate plug-patch must be used. Plug-patches are available in sizes from 3-8 mm (0.125-0.310") (see Figure 5). The plug-patch should be larger than the puncture being repaired. A plug-patch designed for use in speed-rated tires must be installed in speed-rated tires to keep the high-speed capabilities of the tire. After the appropriate plug-patch has been selected, and the tire is prepared per the tire maker's recommendations, the appropriate chemical bonding cement is applied to the plug-patch and installed into the tire. Then a corrugated roller is used to flatten out and press the patch to the inner liner. After performing a proper repair following the tire maker's recommendations, the customer should be informed if tire performance will be any different from its original design. There is an I-CAR Enhanced Delivery program on tires and wheels: Steering And Suspension Program 1. Watch for it in your area. |
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