Sidewall repairs... worth the risk?

[WernerDV]

Hi all

I have a fairly new GY Wrangler with a sidewall cut. Been hunting for a 2nd hand, but cannot find in my size... 245 70 16.

A local guy said he can repair it... for R450.

I'm concerned about sidewall flex, especially when deflated and on trails. Any success with this type of repair or am I going to waste my money and sit with unnecessary risk?

Spare that's on now is brand new... so want to get it off asap.

Input appreciated, I need to sort this within the week. Only alternative now is to buy new, but then I have 3 old tyres running with a new one and my OCD doesn't like it!

[Uys]

but then I have 3 old tyres running with a new one and my OCD doesn't like it!

How does your OCD feel about un-even dents - I believe rolled cars are not symmetrical.

[Searcher]

Depends how deep the cut is. Superficial or deep ?

If that is a piece of chord sticking out at the top, then the cut is deep and I would not attempt a repair.

[PsyPhin]

I had a similar cut on my old wranglers. Took it to tyre shop thinking they would give me any reason to sell me more tyres and was told it is fine as long as it is not a puncture and the strands under the rubber remain undamaged. He peeled the rubber in the cut back to check and said it is perfectly fine as it was.

[WillieJimny]

I learned the hard way
Rather just replace the tyre

[JLK]

If properly repaired (vulcanized) , it will last.

[StangV2_0]

I dont believe repairing that tyre is worth the money saved to avoid buying a new one.

Throw it away. Buy a new one. No regrets.

[WAJ]

Good reason to buy 4 new bigger tyres

[WernerDV]

How does your OCD feel about un-even dents - I believe rolled cars are not symmetrical.

Skuus, moes seker genoem het dis n Isuzu...

Ek hoor jou.

[WernerDV]

Depends how deep the cut is. Superficial or deep ?

If that is a piece of chord sticking out at the top, then the cut is deep and I would not attempt a repair.

It's deep. I suddenly felt something wrong going up a steep incline, initially thought I lost a front sideshaft, but found that the rim was turning and the tyre was completely deflated in seconds.

[WernerDV]

Good reason to buy 4 new bigger tyres

Yes! I eagerly await your financial contribution in this regard...

[Kalahari Vegmot]

I recently had 3x GY Wranglers with sidewall damage repaired. It was not cuts though - rather tiny little holes caused by hakbos or something.

The tire shop installed gators over the holes as well as well as fitting tubes to the tires.

The damage sustained to your tire looks way worse though. Personally I wouldn't try and repair. The risk/reward situation here is not worth the R2000 it would cost to just buy a new tire.

[WernerDV]

If properly repaired (vulcanized) , it will last.

This is the case, he did say he's never had issues with any of his customers.

[bostoe]

I would just replace!

Not worth putting your family in danger to save R2k

But I suppose it is just me, being over cautious, when it comes to safety.

Bostoe

[HeinrichC]

A side wall repair, nope not a good idea. You cannot unscramble an egg.

[hedjudd]

I recently had 3x GY Wranglers with sidewall damage repaired. It was not cuts though - rather tiny little holes caused by hakbos or something.

The tire shop installed gators over the holes as well as well as fitting tubes to the tires.

The damage sustained to your tire looks way worse though. Personally I wouldn't try and repair. The risk/reward situation here is not worth the R2000 it would cost to just buy a new tire.

for road use a tube in a tubeless tyre is a crash waiting to happen.

• Firstly a tube in a tubeless tyre cannot seat the bead on the rim
• the slight ribbing inside a tubeless tyre will provide enough friction on the tube to wear it through and allow it to burst.
• a tyre shop that does that sort of work or even recommends such work should be avoided due to their abject ignorance.
• SANS 10408 sets out quite clearly the standards for the repair of tyres.
• the only manufacturer approved sidewall repair is a Rema Tip Top process and is only supported by one tyre brand. (No names will be mentioned here)

so please be cautious of your rights as a consumer when it comes to tyre repairs, dont let ignorance of others be your come uppance

[WernerDV]

Well the tribe has spoken. Thank you all for your input, I will buy a flippen new one.

[WernerDV]

for road use a tube in a tubeless tyre is a crash waiting to happen.

• Firstly a tube in a tubeless tyre cannot seat the bead on the rim
• the slight ribbing inside a tubeless tyre will provide enough friction on the tube to wear it through and allow it to burst.
• a tyre shop that does that sort of work or even recommends such work should be avoided due to their abject ignorance.
• SANS 10408 sets out quite clearly the standards for the repair of tyres.
• the only manufacturer approved sidewall repair is a Rema Tip Top process and is only supported by one tyre brand. (No names will be mentioned here)

so please be cautious of your rights as a consumer when it comes to tyre repairs, dont let ignorance of others be your come uppance

Appreciate the comment, thank you.

[Pieterk]

Not withstanding all the previous comments.

I have had many sidewall repairs done and driven more than 30k km on most of these tyres without any issues. Properly vulcanised, it should not be an issue. There are also other members out there driving with such tyres.
So bring on the hammer and nails chaps. If you have not done this yourself or used sidewall repaired tyres before, please continue the doomsday replies.

[WernerDV]

Not withstanding all the previous comments.

I have had many sidewall repairs done and driven more than 30k km on most of these tyres without any issues. Properly vulcanised, it should not be an issue. There are also other members out there driving with such tyres.
So bring on the hammer and nails chaps. If you have not done this yourself or used sidewall repaired tyres before, please continue the doomsday replies.

I agree, there will be success stories.