As I got out of my truck this morning, ready to get to work on the house, I heard a telltale sound. The hiss of air leaking from a tire just about spilled my coffee.
I've been putting off replacing these tires until after house closed, knowing it was only a matter of time.
I did a triage to find the source of the leak and make a plan of action. I quickly saw that there was a pretty decent sized hole in the tread and a small worn down sheet metal screw laying near it.
If I could keep air in it, I could drive to the used tire shop 12 blocks away and just replace it.
Turns out I did have an old patch kit with a dried up glue tu e in a crate in the garage. I gambled and took a piece of rubber patch and jammed it ot in the hole. The hole got bigger! I wiggled it an twisted and forced it in uhtil the hissing stopped and after a sigh, let it set for awhile and bond, without glue.
I called the tire place and they said they had the tires i needed used and could get me in right away!
I managed to wiggle the tool out and keep the patch in by holding a screwdriver against it, then clipped it close to the tread length. Finally I mashed it flat in an effort to Increase the surface area and keep in in the hole to buy enough time to get a replacement.
It worked! The shop was great and got me two almost new tires mounted and balanced for $110. Whew. No tow, no roadside assistance, no hours of waiting or swapping out a flat for a doughnut.
Thanks, old trusty DIY tire patch kit, that I hadn't thrown away after all.
Cheers,
DIY Dads With Beards
