XPost: alt.home.repair   
   From: Paul@Houston.Texas   
      
   Maxmillian wrote:   
   > In your experience, what percentage of your flat tires have to have the   
   > tire replaced versus just having the flat repaired?   
   >   
   > I realize everything is up to chance, but in the last couple of years, my   
   > household has had three flat tires, all due to nails or screws (there is   
   > always some construction going on nearby) where I took the tires to   
   > GoodYear and all three had to be replaced.   
   >   
   > One, as I recall, was too close to the shoulder, the other had been driven   
   > on (they said) when they removed the carcass, and just yesterday, the third   
   > they said was worn to a wear bar (as it had uneven wear) but it seemed to   
   > me to be barely above the wear bar at the one wear bar he pointed to as   
   > most of the tread was about two or three mm above the wear bars so he   
   > picked the lowest one at about a millimeter or less above the wear bar).   
   >   
   > After waiting two hours in the waiting room, the guy came back and said he   
   > can't repair a dangerous tire, so again, for the third time, I had to buy a   
   > new tire, where it took another hour for them to have the car ready for me.   
   >   
   > Given I had to remove the tire anyway to put on the spare, the whole ordeal   
   > took about five hours or so in elapsed time just to fix a basic flat.   
   >   
   > Could I have more easily just repaired the tire at home?   
   >   
   > I realize everything is up to chance but has it been your experience that   
   > almost all the tires you want to repair, they say can't be repaired?   
   >   
   > Then there's the added cost of sales tax of around ten dollars, mounting   
   > and balancing at around fifteen dollars, and the tire valve of five dollars   
   > and the disposal fee of about another five dollars. It all adds up.   
   >   
   > I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy a "tire press" or whatever it takes   
   > to change a tire (I have a small portable compressor already) at home.   
   >   
   > Anyone repair your own tires at home when you get a flat?   
   > Is it worth the money if you can save a few tires?   
      
   For minor leaks due to nails, mesquite thorns, etc, I carry a plug kit   
   in my car and plug my own.  Typical 30 plugs for $10.  I also carry two   
   cans of plug / inflate stuff, but that cannot be used on tires with   
   sensors.  Plugs done by me are 100% successful repairs.   
   For the tires that get shredded, half the tire missing, etc...   
   0% successful repairs.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)