Tire plug
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, Canada
2011 E550 Coupe
Tire plug
Well got a screw in my left rear tire, went to my local tire shop I always use and was surprised the tech was installing a tire plug. I remember years ago when you used these it was temporary only and you needed to get the tire patched eventually. Tech said these plugs are much better now and that's almost all they use unless the hole is too big. Can anyone with knowledge confirm this.
Second thing is he jacked my car on the left rear corner only but not in the MB jacking location, he said there was a pad where he jacked. I checked when I got home and sure enough there is no pad, best I can tell is he jacked it near the left rear jacking point where there seems to be a hole in the under pan. Any MB tech know what's under there and if I should be worried. There is no apparent damage.
Second thing is he jacked my car on the left rear corner only but not in the MB jacking location, he said there was a pad where he jacked. I checked when I got home and sure enough there is no pad, best I can tell is he jacked it near the left rear jacking point where there seems to be a hole in the under pan. Any MB tech know what's under there and if I should be worried. There is no apparent damage.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Externally inserted tyre plugs are not considered permanent. You should have the tyre removed & a tulip plug inserted from inside the tyre & then externally trimmed.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
C230 Coupe
I have been installing and running dozens tire plugs for years and only have had 1 problem (hole was too big for plug).
I actually prefer plus because the tire doesn't need to come off the wheel.
EVERY time a technician takes a tire off the wheel they inevitably scratch the wheel.
I actually prefer plus because the tire doesn't need to come off the wheel.
EVERY time a technician takes a tire off the wheel they inevitably scratch the wheel.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: NJ
ML 350-Black=Sold. New 08 C300 4Matic, Black/Black, P1, Ipod, Auto7speed, 10/10 hit 100,000 miles
Plugs do come loose, it happened to me. not a fast flat but it will slow leak. Patching from the inside is the best.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Correct. A tulip plug effectively gives you a patch & plug in one. This is Michelin recommended procedure. No reputable tyre shop would suggest that an external plug is permanent. With modern tyre mounting machines there is no reason to scratch the rim. They just have to use the plastic protectors supplied. A good operator can do it without them. I had three tulips fitted on my last set of tyres thanks to my builder doing renovations & leaving nails on my driveway - no scratched rims & I am **** about my cars.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,627
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
C 320 CDI 4M W204 / C43 AMG (W202) / C 220 CDI T (S203) / ZX-10R Ninja
Trending Topics
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 191
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The tyres will be fine as long as the steel belt is not severely damaged. If it is it will soon show itself with a delamination lump.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 604
Likes: 29
From: SA
2008 C350-Sport-AMG-Active Agility Pack(Not reliable) +Izuzu KB6 3L(It seems Reliable)+Mazda
Tyre Plug
Had a flat at 2000Km[Left rear]. Plug up the tire from outside with plug deep in[Screw puncture].Then pump tyre with bottle of sealant. Then pump up tyre to correct pressure with Gas bottle[8Kpa] in boot. Never give trouble till tyre was replaced at 13 000Km. Car limited to 160Km/h. Examined tyre at shop and plug was still ok.[The plugs was very snotty]
Repair kit in my car boot:[Staggred wheels]
Since then I ride 1-A 8KPA gas bottle[10Kg] ,2-Gas sealant bottles=4x[Larger one, 3-A tire plug kit[2x]. The important thing is to get the pressure up after initial repair using all this next to the road, which the sealant bottle alone cannot do.
I also think, and I have used it on a motorcyle, is if you have thick screws with simple thread, one could remove screw causing the puncture and use one of these screws temporarely. You have to accellarate slowly and not more than 100Km/h, and this of course is very temp.
I live in SA and there is some places I don't want to wait for Mercedes help.
Repair kit in my car boot:[Staggred wheels]
Since then I ride 1-A 8KPA gas bottle[10Kg] ,2-Gas sealant bottles=4x[Larger one, 3-A tire plug kit[2x]. The important thing is to get the pressure up after initial repair using all this next to the road, which the sealant bottle alone cannot do.
I also think, and I have used it on a motorcyle, is if you have thick screws with simple thread, one could remove screw causing the puncture and use one of these screws temporarely. You have to accellarate slowly and not more than 100Km/h, and this of course is very temp.
I live in SA and there is some places I don't want to wait for Mercedes help.
Last edited by Moto_Guzzi; Jan 5, 2010 at 10:26 AM.
