Tyres-sidewall repairs?

"Mrcheerful" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I wonder how I managed to use tubes in tubeless tyres (some Michelin) on the 4x4 for ten years, then - without one single friction-related tube failure.

Where do Michelin say that? If it's not safe to repair a tyre with a puncture repair then how's t going to be safe with an inner tube?

If the tube blows, you can get a rapid depressurisation of the tyre.

Tubes are more likely to blow than running a sealed, undamaged tubeless.

Note the words "if a tyre specialist detects a defect". Guess who has a vested interest in selling you a new tyre.

See above.

Don't - it's as simple as that.

I once bought a 'part worn' tyre many, many years ago with a patched sidewall and the bloody thing blew on a dual carriageway - a very exciting few seconds that was! And I've never bought a part worn since and will change almost new tyres that have had sidewall damage rather than get them repaired.

Like I say, I would be happy to use up a tread punctured tubeless (even a michelin) with a tube in on my own low performance car. But since it is specifically forbidden by the maker I imagine that they have had some problems in the past. Certainly no professional would be likely to fit a tube in a tyre if the manufacturer specifically says no, indeed they would be stupid to do so, if it fails for any reason the fitter would not have a leg to stand on.

Sidewall puncture repairs are a definite no no for a normal tyre place, fitting a tube in a sidewall punctured tyre would be a very bad idea, the hole in the side can act like a little pair of nippers on the tube, if you patch the side first it would be better, but you might find that a sidewall patch would fall off because of flexing (much less on tread punctures)

good tyres are very cheap insurance against all sorts of problems on the road and for any driver are not really an area to skimp on.

Mrcheerful

Private car or commercial vehicle? If a commercial I would recommend what is known as a 'major repair' without hesitation, I've used used hundreds over the last 40 years with great success. I would never trust one on a private car/passenger vehicle. More speed, more stress and less build; also the constant 'what if?' worry. If it's a car get a 3rd opinion. I would not touch ATS with a bargepole but in this instance they might be correct, A rarity as they ALWAYS say no mate sorry can't fix that. Good luck.

Oops-- Bugger Sorry :-)

I must have pressed the wrong button.

Sorry!

Tom

Easily done. if you move the 'reply' button away from the 'reply-group' button it is a big improvement and you will rarely get it wrong again (been there, done it !.)

They also have an interest in staying out of court if one of their products or procedures has contributed to a big accident.

I repaired a sidewall puncture in a tubeless tyre succesfully some years ago. Tyre was losing about 1psi a day A new tyre. One of a pair that I'd only bought the previous week, which the garage refused to repair. I had to top it up every few days, but rather than do that for a year or so until it was worn out, I decided to have a go at repairing it myself. I had nothing to lose. At worst, I'd just finsh up with the same slow puncture. . I removed it, and repaired it using a patch from a cycle repair kit. Being thin, I thought it would more easily flex than a std car patch.

It did the job. I carried on checking it for the first few days. Still no leak, so eventually I just gave the usual check every week or so with the other tyres. It was still doing it's job when the tye was worn out and replaced.

I wouldn't suggest anyone trying a similar repair on anything but a slow puncture. A slow puncture is not going to cause a blowout, providing it's topped up before it's lost enough psi, to starts overheating at m/way speeds. Mike.