dchan865

Hey guys, got my first screw on the rear tire today. Thanks to the TPMS warning, very handy, I am going to have to put on the spare myself until the flat is fixed at American tires.
Anything important that I need to be aware of like mess with the tpms system or any electronics before and after the tire is replaced?
Does the fixed tire/rim need to be rebalanced? In regards to this, I have the 5 spoke factory rims. how do they put weights on them to balance them? I am concern that if they do it, they will mess up the beauty of the rim.
Thanks for any tips.

acotugno

I've had the misfortune of having 2 of my tires punctured by a screw in separate incidents. If the screw is too close to the edge, the tire needs to be replaced. If not and it can be repaired, the tire needs to be patched from the inside. Therefore, the tire needs to be removed so a rebalance is necessary, unless they take a shortcut and mark the exact location of the tire relevant to the rim and place it in the same exact position when re-mounting.

I had my tires repaired at the Lexus dealership. I am not familiar with American Tires as there are none in South Florida where I live but I chose to go to the Lexus dealer since I did not want to take a chance with anyone else damaging the TPMS sensor. Sure the Lexus dealer can damage it as well, but it is their problem if they do. If American Tire damages your TPMS sensor, it may become your problem.

Just my opinion. Good luck.

wktjr

If the puncture is too close to the edge, the tire will need to be replaced. At that point the tire will be removed, replaced and rebalanced. The weights are stick-on type that go on the inside of the rim.

If the tire can be saved, they will just use a plug. It can be installed without dismounting the tire and rebalancing is not necessary.

mikemu30

Most shops wont plug even though i think its fine.

wktjr

Why not? Not an issue in my neck of the woods.

richard203

iTrader: (1)

liability issue

dchan865

Thanks guys. Learn something new every day. After I took off the rim/tire, I do see the weights(a sticked on type and weight attached the inside lip of the rim.
I took a pic of the tire of the dang screw(on the upper left side). I'd say its about 1 inch from the side wall. You guys think it can be repaired?
It'd suck if I I had to replace it since it only has about 2500 miles on it.

ravenuer

If it's an inch from the edge of the tread, it can be fixed. Years ago they used to have to dismount the tire and place a patch inside. They can still do that, but most shops use a plug from the outside. No need to dismount the tire so no re-balancing needed. I've had a couple of tires repaired like this and have never had any problems.

dchan865

Hmm, not sure why my pic did not get uploaded. Trying it again.

PeeVee

At Costco they use a plug AND a patch on the inside.

GSFRX350

Rather sell a tire for a few hundred dollars compared to repairing one for 20 bucks.

dchan865

Well its fixed. America tire plugged it and patched it from inside, and re-balanced it with weights on the inside rim. TPMS system automatically work without me doing anything.

PeeVee

Of course, if the TPMS sensor in the wheel was not changed, it still has the same code!