Well...Biscuits. The 20PSI Leak Turned out to be Tire Damage

Kinja'd!!! "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
09/10/2019 at 11:02 • Filed to: Truck Yeah, gambler 500

Kinja'd!!!0 Kinja'd!!! 8
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The right front tire of the Ranger is bleeding 20PSI a day. At first I thought it was due to the tire shop not beading the tire correctly, but an inspection by the shop revealed the leak to be coming from practically invisible damage to the shoulder or sidewall (it’s either right at the edge of the sidewall or on the shoulder) . I’m guessing the PO hit a really sharp rock and managed to make a basically invisible puncture. So invisible I can’t even show you where it’s leaking.

Well, if your $150 muds seem too good to be true...

Looks like some Slime, Fix-A-Flat, and/or some bead sealer could do the trick? At least I have a perfectly good spare, even if it’s an AT.

I also couldn’t get Friday off (the best they could do is have me work a half day), so looks like I am driving the smart to Tennessee! My Ranger’s other parts won’t arrive nearly on time, so it’s staying behind . I just remembered I have two brand new snows attached to one of my 450s so that’s what I’ll offroad with.

Of course I couldn’t have an easy week! ¯\_()_/¯


DISCUSSION (8)


Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Mercedes Streeter
09/10/2019 at 11:12

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There are some bicycle specific sealants that are just fantastic. I would try about 8 oz of Stans or Orange seal. It’s latex based so in a car tire even 8 oz will dry pretty quickly and won’t leave the inside all slimy .


Kinja'd!!! benjrblant > Mercedes Streeter
09/10/2019 at 11:12

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Looks like some Slime, Fix-A-Flat, and/or some bead sealer could do the trick?

N ot on the sidewall. Looks like this tire is now your spare for that “just need to make it 3 miles to the trailhead” situation.  


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > benjrblant
09/10/2019 at 11:16

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Oof, what if the damage is on the shoulder? I didn’t get a good look at the exact location when the shop showed me, but the bubbling was coming from between two tread blocks.


Kinja'd!!! DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/10/2019 at 11:17

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How would you pour it in? I’m assuming you can’t push it through the schr ader valve.


Kinja'd!!! benjrblant > Mercedes Streeter
09/10/2019 at 11:49

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See:

Looks like this tire is now your spare for that “just need to make it 3 miles to the trailhead” situation.

also, for your reference, sidewall includes the “shoulder” of the tire.

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Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
09/10/2019 at 11:57

Kinja'd!!!1

Y ou can remove the valve core and inject it through the valve.


Kinja'd!!! Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Mercedes Streeter
09/10/2019 at 12:24

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Don’t EVER try to repair a sidewall/shoulder issue on a tire you’re going to use on the road.

Something for a spare for a just in case scenario, sure, but never for a road tire.


Kinja'd!!! Mercedes Streeter > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
09/10/2019 at 12:37

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TIL: Shoulder is just as big of a no no as sidewall damage. Well, I have a perfectly good full size spare for road use so this thing can be an offroad only wheel.