Gone are the days when one had to actually remove the wheel and then remove the tire from the rim to repair a blowout or even a slow leak. Today with tubeless tires anyone can repair almost any tire problem without having to even remove the tire from the car. I say almost because there are some problems that can’t be fixed even after removing the tubeless tire from the car and its rim i.e. slow leaks caused by dry rot damage.
1. A jack
2. Lug nut wrench
3. A tubeless tire repair kit (T-Handle reamer, T-Handle plug insertion tool, Plugs, and plug trimmer)
4. Replacement valve caps
6. Tire pressure gauge
7. Replacement valve cores and valve core tools
8. Spray bottle of soap solution for finding slow leaks.
9. Roadside warning reflectors and flares
10. Wheel chocks (at least two to block the off-side front and rear wheels.
11. A 12V impact lug wrench (optional but necessary if you aren’t the muscular type)($65.99)
There are many tubeless tire repair kits on the market today, many selling for under $10, but the cheap kits leave many essential items out so you have to buy them separately. I recommend that you purchase a Slime Powerspare Repair Kit. This kit contains everything that you will need to repair 30 flat tires while they are on the car. This kit includes
1. The roadside air compressor
2. Puncture plugging tools
3. Puncture sealant
4. 30 plugs
5. Powerful LED work light
6. Tire pressure gauge
7. Handy trunk storage bag
8. Detailed step-by-step instructions on how to repair tire problems.
This is a professional kit that sell for $146 at most auto supply houses but it can be had online from JCWhitney for less than $95. Even with the shipping and handling that is considerably less than if you bought everything I listed above separately. All tools and supplies can be ordered online from JCWhitney
Since the repair kit comes with detailed instructions on how to repair flat tires and/or slow leaks, I’m not going to give detailed instructions in this factoid. Some of the problems that you will not be able to repair yourself at the roadside or at home in your garage unless you want to invest in the tools necessary for removing the tire from the rim which aren’t cheap tools, are the following problems.
1. If the valve stem itself is damaged the tire will have to be removed from the rim in order to replace the complete valve stem. Depending on how badly the stem is damaged you may be able to use the slime to seal the leak sufficiently to get you home or to a tire shop.
2. If the tire’s bead, that part of the tire that seals against the wheel, is damaged, the tire will have to be replaced. Once again depending on badly the bead is damaged, you may be able to use the slime to get you home or to a tire store.
3. If you kissed the curb and the rim has been dented or bent, the wheel will have to be replaced. If the damaged isn’t severe seal it with slime and head home or to the nearest auto service center.
4.Of course it goes without saying that you jagged cuts in the tire’s sidewall or thread area can’t be repaired and you will need to remove the tire and install the spare to get you home or to the tire center.
As a side note, JCWhitney offer free shipping on all orders over $99 so if you order everything online at one time there will be no additional cost for shipping. Here’s the link http://www.jcwhitney.com/Auto-Parts/10101.jcw?gclid=CLq0lZajjpkCFQG7GgodRifTaA.
If you want to see how easy it is to plug a tubeless tire, here’s a link good picture tutorial http://www.alpharubicon.com/bovstuff/tirepluguzi.htm. This tutorial shows the tire off the vehicle but that not necessary. All you need to do is jack the car up so you can turn the wheel and locate the puncture.
1. If you are doing a roadside repair, park as far off the road or highway as possible. If at all possible, park so that the tire you are repairing is away from the traffic.
2. Always put out the warning reflector triangles and/or flare to alert oncoming drivers that there is a disabled vehicle ahead.
3. Make sure that your jack is placed on a flat, secure surface. If there’s no such surface available I.e. the whole area is covered with ice or snow, inch the car forward until you locate the puncture and then plug it without having to jack the car up.
4. Always use wheel chocks when jacking a car up.
