Featured Technical Anyone Have Any Experience With These Tire Screw/Plugs?

Yep, exactly. Today “corporate” tire shops such as Walmart and Firestone are not allowed to repair tires in any way. They will only sell you a new tire, due to liability. Plus that puts more money in their pockets obviously.

 

Don't tell anyone, but I've even put tubes in tires because there was a slight leak through the sidewall...

 

When I was younger and working at a gas station in the later 90s, we still sold radial tubes for just an occasion.

 

The linked ad to these things bugs me as well. Here's a screenshot of part of it:



Who the heck says "If you don't like it and don't feel bad, we'll do it right."
Oh right, people whose primary language is Chinese.

And they also apparently liked the picture of "MADE IN THE USA".
Of course it doesn't mean the stuff is made in the US, why would anyone think that?

 

Like others, I have used the regular old plugs with no problems on many tires. I remember when I worked at Montgomery Wards auto center we had to use a patch- they wouldn't allow a plug. I think those screw in ones might be great though.

 

When I was a college drop-out working at the corner gas station in early 60's, we never saw radial tires. I did unsuccessfully try to dismount a discount brand tire that was very light weight. It still had legal tread depth, but very little stiffness. On the tire machine, the sidewall would collapse, and the tire would remain stuck to the rim. Even the old-timer could not get this tire off the rim. We finally gave up and returned the mounted tire to the customer - With a recommendation of not to buy his tires at Lechmere Sales (a discount store in Cambridge, MA).

 

I did a Google photo search on your screenshot. Here’s the result:

"The image shows the warehouse for StopBox USA, a company that produces the StopBox Pro, a portable, mechanical lockbox for securing firearms and other valuables."​

 

While the widgets themselves might be okay, the company's business practices leave something to be desired.

 

I have a couple of sets of them, I carry them in my 2 main OT cars. One set came with a screwdriver.

I plugged 2 tires so far and they have held up for at least a year. The one on my newer Mustang, I just jacked up the front, turned the wheel out. Then pulled the nail out, ran the plug in. I did put a dab of 3M weather strip adhesive on it.

 

Hello,

We drove a long way every time we went surfing. Usually, it was about 40 miles round trip to the Huntington Beach Pier and back. But, the Killer Dana Surf Spot was at least an 80 mile round trip. Finally, Camp Pendleton (100 miles round trip) and Torrey Pines (180 miles round trip) were still regular road trips, despite the distance. Mostly, those were all day, into the night surf trips, sometimes ending each day in an overnight camping spot.

So, after the usual flat tire experience during the daily drives to high school, we had our share of plugs that eventually turned into new tires for safety. The plugs were great, but the gas stations did not always have time to do the repairs.

We bought our own puncture tire repair kit and kept it handy every time we left the house on our surf trips. No one likes to get stuck on the road, especially, if we are in Baja, Mexico. That is/was usually a 400 mile road trip and a long way away from friendly gas stations.

Jnaki

The puncture kit saved us a couple of times and those tires were used to get us home. We also had a portable air compressor that took forever to fill up. But, when you are in Baja Mexico on a cliff top campsite with a flat tire, slow is fine, as long as it will get us back to the main highway heading home. Yes!

Then, when the savings got better, a new tire was exchanged as we did not think the plugs would stay in for the long haul. A skinny rubber stick with some gooey stuff around the rubber hole, saved the day. But, going 70 in a smooth highway or up hill on a coastal highway on the edge of the road was not the most favorable of times with a “plug” inserted. YRMV
It does not matter what car or truck was used, the plugs got us back on the highway headed home every time. But, it was a temporary emergency solution until a new tire was able to be put back on the rim.


The newest version of a screw in would have been better as a hole punch was not always available and the rubber insert did not always go in correctly. But the gooey stuff did seal enough to get us to a gas station. At one station, the guy chuckled at our “repair” and pulled the item out, reamed the hole and inserted a larger rubber stick with goo. He cut of what was sticking out and we were off and running.



The mechanic told us it would last for 1000s of miles with the job that “he” did with his professional kit. Ha!

 

But why? I've plugged many tires (yes, its likely better to patch from inside but.......). I've never had a problem. Did many at the gas station I worked at. I don't think I'd have a lot of faith in the screw thing.

I suppose in an emergency but if you keep it for that, get some actual plugs.

 

I went to Amazon and bought a small 20 piece kit "(10 of each size)" to throw in the toolbox of my hot rod.

 

I have also installed thousands of rope style tire plugs never had one come back.