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Last week, I found my RAV4's tire had gone flat flat. The culprit: a bolt in the middle of my tire's tread, right in a tread void.

I had a rope plug kit (something like Slime Tire Plug Kit) and happened to have a bike pump. I performed the rope plug and pumped up my tire back to 35 psig.

Today, I took my car to America's Tire to have the tire repair become permanent. The rep told me:

  • America's Tire won't repair tires that have been rope plugged due to safety issues
  • They would have to scrap the tire, and offered to sell me a new tire

I feel as if the tire is fine, and I haven't heard of rope plug repairs invalidating a tire's safety.

Is it true my tire is now a safety hazard, if it had been previously rope plugged? What should I do in this situation?

Intrastellar Explorer
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1 Answers1

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I've used "rope plugs" as permanent repairs on somewhere over 100 tires over the years. Those tires have lived their lives without having an issue with the repair failing. There should not be an issue doing so now with yours.

As for America's Tire, if that's their policy, then let them have their policy. They shouldn't get your money, at least not for a replacement which doesn't need to occur (IMHO).

Solar Mike
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Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
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