I have a small hole in one of my rear tires and it is pretty close to the edge. I plan on taking it in to Wal-Mart on the next day I have off work, but I wanted to check on here first. Would this hole be patchable?

 

Yes, it should be fixable.

 

i used to work at sams club in the tire center and they were sketchy about fixing holes that close to the sidewall so you might want to go somewhere other than walmart and get it done.

but i personally have done my own tires in roughly the same location and had no problems.

 

I've used Wal-Mart several times for tire repairs and I've found the folks there to be well trained and knowledgeable. I'd take it there, and follow their advice.

 

That's fixable. I'll normally fix anything further away than a thumb width from the sidewall.

 

I took it up to Wal-Mart. They guy that looked at it said they won't fix it. He said generally any hole that's within 2 fingers width of the sidewall, they won't touch. He also pointed out that it had been plugged there before, which was news to me. So the plug is slightly leaking, is there anything I can do to fix that?

He looked on their website and to get another Goodyear Eagle GT-HR (205/50-15), which is what's on the car right now, it would be like $110 from Wal-Mart, then like $15 more for installation. Tire Rack has the same tire for $83 with $14 shipping. If I bought it from Tire Rack could I have them install it at Wal-Mart? I ask because Wal-Mart is a very quick drive, so it would be more convenient to get work done from them.

 

Since they won't fix it, you should probably just replace the tire.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ShinyNewPenny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">He looked on their website and to get another Goodyear Eagle GT-HR (205/50-15), which is what's on the car right now, it would be like $110 from Wal-Mart, then like $15 more for installation. Tire Rack has the same tire for $83 with $14 shipping.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You also probably pay sales tax at Wal-Mart, not at Tire Rack.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ShinyNewPenny &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If I bought it from Tire Rack could I have them install it at Wal-Mart?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Most Wal-Marts are happy to install tires purchased elsewhere. You could always just ask them...

 

Im kind of **** about stuff like that. If you choose to fix it and re-plug it you can do one of two things. either push te old plug through or try and pull it out somehow. I would try and pull it out because if you push it through, it might make noise while driving from thumping around. Then again, it might not be heavy enough to make any noise at all.

 

i thought most real tire shops used a patch on the inside of the tire now adays. they dismount the tire, sort of flip it inside out, place a vulcanizing patch over the area and then remount the tire. guaranteed to never leak again. this was done to a friends car before. i usually just stick one of the cheap parts store plugs in it.
also, that doesn't look like its had a plug before. the rubber would be stretched out around a plug if there was one in there. maybe the plug worked its way out and started leaking again?

 

What you are referring to is called a mushroom patch. Its an options around here, but you have to ask for it and it costs more. Most plugs are done with the tire still on the rim. Aorund here it costs around $7. Mushroom patch is better, but at that point, you might as well get a new tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Speed94 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most plugs are done with the tire still on the rim.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That depends on the place. Plugs are the "quick and easy" way, cheap and generally work, but may start leaking again, as the OP has found. The best are with a "combination plug-patch" that a really good tire shop will recommend. Yes, it requires removing the tire from the rim, but it's the right way to do it.

 

i usually plug the holes and never had a problem with leaking. Just do it yourself

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by REAL TIME &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i usually plug the holes and never had a problem with leaking. Just do it yourself</TD></TR></TABLE>

Plugs are the "quick and easy" way, cheap and generally work, but may start leaking again, as the OP has found. The best are with a "combination plug-patch" that a really good tire shop will recommend. Yes, it requires removing the tire from the rim, but it's the right way to do it.

The OP is a great example of why NOT to do it with just a plug. Pay the $5-10 to get it done right, and you won't have to worry about it again.