Rolly Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Just a quick one for any tyre-savvy people out there, one of my Cooper Discoverer HT 225 75R16's has a sidewall cut about a thumbnail long that's leaking. Its about an inch below where the tread finishes. I'm prepared to go out and buy a new one tomorrow but was wondering if; 1 - Can it be repaired & 2 - Would it be legal? Just want an idea so if I ask the supplier if it is fixable he won't just automatically say no just so he can charge me a fortune for a new one. Personally I'd rather a new one but knowing bugger-all about tyres I just thought I'd ask the question and give you all something to talk about. Ha! Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cipx2 Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Normally, any deep cut on the sidewall close to the thread means a new tyre. That area 'flexes' with every turn of the wheel and whatever you do to repair it won't last. It also depends on how wide is the cut on the inside of the tyre and if the tyre structure is affected. Better ask for an opinion at your local tyre repair shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M&S Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Normally, any deep cut on the sidewall close to the thread means a new tyre. That area 'flexes' with every turn of the wheel and whatever you do to repair it won't last.It also depends on how wide is the cut on the inside of the tyre and if the tyre structure is affected. Better ask for an opinion at your local tyre repair shop. I've yet to find a tyre shop that would repair a tyre with ANY damage to a sidewall. Looks like it's time for a new tyre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolly Posted January 22, 2009 Author Share Posted January 22, 2009 Yeah, that's basically what I thought, Oh well, there goes my drinkin' money lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escape Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 A few years back I had a BFG with a 3 cm cut in the sidewall. Took it to the tyre place, they inspected the inside, found the cords had not been damaged and sent it for a repair by vulcanisation. It turned out a lot cheaper then a new tyre, you could hardly see where the cut was and I used the tyre for about 1.5 year/20k km afterwards, without any problems or leaking. The guy who bought the tyres 2 years ago hasn't complained either, so it might be worth asking if repair is possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headhunter Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 A few years back I had a BFG with a 3 cm cut in the sidewall. Took it to the tyre place, they inspected the inside, found the cords had not been damaged and sent it for a repair by vulcanisation. It turned out a lot cheaper then a new tyre, you could hardly see where the cut was and I used the tyre for about 1.5 year/20k km afterwards, without any problems or leaking.The guy who bought the tyres 2 years ago hasn't complained either, so it might be worth asking if repair is possible. I thought Spock had retired I have not heard recently of vulcanisation being available, but it used to be common practice. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Conventional wisdom is that damaged sidewall = new tyre. I was under the vague impression that vulcanisation repairs to a sidewall were only legal for off road use but I don't recall why I think that, probably read it somewhere. You should certainly never try and patch a tyre sidewall as it won't last. Off road tyres can of course have a gaiter and a tube fitted but I wouldn't use something like this on the road and I'm not sure if it is legal anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coddy Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Conventional wisdom is that damaged sidewall = new tyre. I was under the vague impression that vulcanisation repairs to a sidewall were only legal for off road use but I don't recall why I think that, probably read it somewhere. You should certainly never try and patch a tyre sidewall as it won't last. Off road tyres can of course have a gaiter and a tube fitted but I wouldn't use something like this on the road and I'm not sure if it is legal anyway. Sidewalls can be repaired, its normally known as a major repair, its not cheap, usually around £30 to get it done, and it has to go away to a specialist firm, this all depends on how severe the sidewall damage is, and how happy you are driving with it... We used to have the wagon ones done if we ripped a tyre out on the building sites, never had one go wrong and we were running at 110 - 120 psi... though through personnel choice I would not fit one on steering axle, always used em paired on the drive axles.. Hope this helps.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyloadsamud Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I used to do part worn tyres and used to vulcanise side walls 10 years sago. We were told by trading standards that it was no longer acceptable so stopped them, I would not have it done on my road car!!!!!1 but on off road tyres you can get Radial patches applied and then tube them and it saves the tyre and you can still use them Billy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pw8757 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 At the risk of sounding po-faced......... Answering the original question - "When is a tyre unrepairable?" Answer - "When you think it isn't worth risking your/your family's/other people's safety!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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