Sidewall Tear Fix? - Land Rovers Only

LandGrover · 08-31-2007, 07:12 PM

I managed to get a tear thru one layer of the sidewall ply on my driver's side front tire. It's still holding air, in fact it has been for a while since I drove for some time before I ever noticed the tear.
I assume I need to replace the tire, but I was wondering if anyone thought it was possible to repair this, since it is still a "superficial wound".
Thanks

Thor · 08-31-2007, 10:08 PM

NO... get rid of it immediately. Unless this tire is the difference between life and death... in which case do only low speeds and get to safety.

I've seen some sidewalls stictched after multiple flats on the trail, but they are only used to get off the trail very carefully.

A tire shop would not touch these in a 'repair' situation.

Good luck.

LandGrover · 09-01-2007, 05:13 AM

That's what I expected, thanks

LandGrover · 09-01-2007, 10:25 AM

I'm going to replace my tire, but I've heard that you can't just replace one tire because the inevitable difference in size due to wear will destroy the differential. Is it possible to just replace one tire or do I need to replace an entire axel, or should I replace all 4?

Thor · 09-01-2007, 09:26 PM

how worn are the rest of them?

I think there is some room for differences.

Rondo · 09-02-2007, 08:59 AM

Unless the difference is significant you won't harm anything. The rate at which your wheels spin will vary only slightly and will be similar wear to your differential as if you were doing a constant slow turn (one wheel moving slightly faster than the other). The only issue you would see is if you had a locking diff (not center, but front/rear) forcing two tires of different sizes to spin together.

LandGrover · 09-02-2007, 08:55 PM

So here's the situation: Tires are Michellin XPCs 235/70r16. Driver front is dead. Tread depths are: Passenger Front 4/16", Both rear tires are 2/16" (they're older). Spare is 5/16".
My temporary plan is to put the spare in place of the driver front. I'm thinking that the difference in size won't be too bad. I found a used XPC on craigslist for 50 bucks and I'm thinking of getting that for use as a spare or use if it's a better fit wear wise.
In a couple of months, I'd like to buy new tires and be done with this mess, but I'd like to put off the cost as long as I don't hurt anything. Sounds like a plan doesn't it?

Rondo · 09-03-2007, 08:56 AM

Surely.

Capt. Ron · 09-05-2007, 10:44 AM

Yeah, that sounds like a plan. With tread depth like that, you won't hydroplane until at least 10 mph...

Get some tires! Yours are shot.

08-31-2007, 07:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
LandGrover Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 19 Gallery: 0	Sidewall Tear Fix? I managed to get a tear thru one layer of the sidewall ply on my driver's side front tire. It's still holding air, in fact it has been for a while since I drove for some time before I ever noticed the tear. I assume I need to replace the tire, but I was wondering if anyone thought it was possible to repair this, since it is still a "superficial wound". Thanks __________________ 2000 Disco II 1995 Disco I

08-31-2007, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Thor Solihull Society, CO and High Desert Rovers, NM Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,199 Gallery: 0	NO... get rid of it immediately. Unless this tire is the difference between life and death... in which case do only low speeds and get to safety. I've seen some sidewalls stictched after multiple flats on the trail, but they are only used to get off the trail very carefully. A tire shop would not touch these in a 'repair' situation. Good luck. __________________ Todd Carpe Rangius Roverum

09-01-2007, 05:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
LandGrover Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 19 Gallery: 0	That's what I expected, thanks __________________ 2000 Disco II 1995 Disco I

09-01-2007, 10:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
LandGrover Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 19 Gallery: 0	Tire replacement I'm going to replace my tire, but I've heard that you can't just replace one tire because the inevitable difference in size due to wear will destroy the differential. Is it possible to just replace one tire or do I need to replace an entire axel, or should I replace all 4? __________________ 2000 Disco II 1995 Disco I

09-01-2007, 09:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Thor Solihull Society, CO and High Desert Rovers, NM Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,199 Gallery: 0	how worn are the rest of them? I think there is some room for differences. __________________ Todd Carpe Rangius Roverum

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09-02-2007, 08:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rondo California Dreamin' Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 285 Gallery: 0	Unless the difference is significant you won't harm anything. The rate at which your wheels spin will vary only slightly and will be similar wear to your differential as if you were doing a constant slow turn (one wheel moving slightly faster than the other). The only issue you would see is if you had a locking diff (not center, but front/rear) forcing two tires of different sizes to spin together.

09-02-2007, 08:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
LandGrover Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Kansas City MO Posts: 19 Gallery: 0	So here's the situation: Tires are Michellin XPCs 235/70r16. Driver front is dead. Tread depths are: Passenger Front 4/16", Both rear tires are 2/16" (they're older). Spare is 5/16". My temporary plan is to put the spare in place of the driver front. I'm thinking that the difference in size won't be too bad. I found a used XPC on craigslist for 50 bucks and I'm thinking of getting that for use as a spare or use if it's a better fit wear wise. In a couple of months, I'd like to buy new tires and be done with this mess, but I'd like to put off the cost as long as I don't hurt anything. Sounds like a plan doesn't it? __________________ 2000 Disco II 1995 Disco I

09-03-2007, 08:56 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rondo California Dreamin' Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 285 Gallery: 0	Surely.

09-05-2007, 10:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Capt. Ron on, off, on, off, on... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: In front of the blue lights! Posts: 735 Gallery: 0	Yeah, that sounds like a plan. With tread depth like that, you won't hydroplane until at least 10 mph... Get some tires! Yours are shot. __________________ 03 Disco w/CDL 95 Disco 98 Disco: my first (gone)

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