Tire plug questions

Interesting experience at the tire shop. Manager told me the plug is leaking and that normally they don’t remove plugs. Wanted my permission to remove plug before installing a patch and plug, and warned that it may not work. He said I may have damaged the steel belt running near the hole when I reamed and plugged it. See how this plays out they’re installing the patch right now...

 

As per your initial post, you'd be amazed what I've pulled out of tires. This older gentleman came in with a flat tire and a 4-5" gash in the tread, upon dismounting I found a full size brake pad from a 1 ton. I can't imagine just how you hit that to push it straight through the tire lol.

Anyways, yeah many shops do not like to rip out quick plugs and do a good patch for liability reasons unless you understand the situation and that it may not be fixable after they rip it out. I've ripped some out to find out they hit the wrong angle or the hole was too big. At that point, I can't plug anything again for liability reasons, and end up with a sticky situation. Matching the angle of the puncture with the awl is essential, otherwise you end up with two holes on the inside and can develop migration leaks. I'm sure you can cruise around for years on a quick plug, but the patch+plug is so much safer. Hope it all turned out ok

 

I always keep a $5 Harbor Freight plug kit on me. Never let me down. Any brand will do, just make sure to get one with the red-ish plugs, both tools, and cement.

 

A brake pad? That’s nuts. Yeah the patch and plug turned out fine, no leaks!