Your vehicle’s tires turn untold millions repeatedly for its life. Thus, making them prone to being punctured by sharp objects like bolts. Tires are not immune to damage so you will definitely experience problems with your tires.
A tire is at risk of being punctured by a foreign object with each revolution. Because the average tire will undergo millions of revolutions over its lifetime, it is probably a matter of when not even if you get a flat. This is because every car driver will experience having a flat tire in their time that they are driving.
And if you have a flat tire, you should be able to know how to change it and what can be the reason for the flat tire. A lot of car drivers have experienced a bolt in their tire at least once in their life. This is not something new because it can be experienced by anyone.
So if you are asking what you have to do if there is a bolt in your tire, this article is definitely for you and you are on the right page. What will you do if you have a bolt in your tire? Here’s what you need to know about.
Table of Contents
Can A Tire With A Bolt In It Be Repaired?
Yes, a tire with a bolt in it can be repaired. It is, however, highly dependent on the location of the damage.
A rip in the tread can be repaired. However, if it’s on the side, the problem is risky, and your best option is likely to be to get a new tire.
If you discover a bolt in your tire, contact a professional immediately to remove it. Then, you can either drive to a garage inspection to determine the extent of the damage and have the necessary repairs performed.
Remember not to remove the bolt from the tire if you are unfamiliar with tire repair. Having it the wrong way around could aggravate the damage to your tire.
Do You Need To Fix The Bolt In Your Tire?
You must, without a doubt, repair the bolt that has become lodged in your tire as soon as possible. Going to drive a tire with a bolt in it is extremely dangerous. There is a good chance that a blowout will occur.
This blowout is characterized by a sudden loss of air pressure in your tire, as well as an explosion-like sound.
A bolt in your tire will cause predisposing factors such as rough driving, deflated tires, and tire imbalance. In addition, if it’s on the tire shoulder, your car’s tire is no longer roadworthy.
Driving a long distance will ruin your tire and eventually cause more damage to it. As a result, if you notice a bolt or any sharp object lodged in your tire, it’s best to be safe and remove it.
How To Fix The Bolt In Your Tire?
Keep in mind that if a bolt or other sharp object becomes lodged in your tires, you must remove it immediately. The steps below will assist you through the process of repairing the bolt in your tire.
Step 1: Try To Turn The Tire And Inspect The Seam To Locate The Bolt.
Typically, you will see the bolt that is stuck to your tires. However, spraying a bubbly solution on the tire would be an alternative if this is impossible.
Then, fill it back up with air and look for bubbles caused by the leaking air. It will assist you in pinpointing the exact location of the hole.
Step 2: Remove The Bolt From The Tire Physically
Remove the bolt from the tire using the proper tools. If your tire hits bottom or makes a whistling noise, don’t worry; the air is just escaping, and it’s not a huge thing.
Step 3: Ream The Hole
You should ream the hole now that you’ve removed the bolt. Typically, tire plug kits include a tool with a file at the end. You push this tool in and out of it a few times to rough out the hole.
Step 4: Thread The Plug Tool And Insert The Tire Plug
After the hole has been reamed, you’ll notice another tool that resembles a needle. Take your plug and crimp the ends together.
You’re now ready to close the hole permanently! Insert your needle with a plug-threaded tip into the hole. Try to force it in with enough pressure that only a tiny portion of the plug remains visible.
The plug tool should then be yanked out of the tire while the plug remains in the hole. Also, cut the end of the plug that is protruding from the tire as close to the tire as possible.
Step 5: Take Your Car To A Professional Right Away To Have Your Tire Repaired.
You should be able to drive your vehicle to a technician now that the hole in your tire has been repaired. Make sure that your tire is repaired by a professional.
Read the details that came with your tire plug kit to see how far you can drive safely with a plugged tire.
Can The Bolt In The Tire Be Patched?
It is not highly suggested to patch a tire with a bolt as it will not permanently secure the inner liner and does not fill the gap left by the sharp object. Furthermore, these on-the-spot wheel repairs are only for a limited time.
If this is done, water will enter the tire’s body and erode the steel belts.
Furthermore, the use of sealants or emergency inflators containing a sealant is not advised as long-term alternatives to a flat tire caused by a lodged sharp object, such as bolts.
It is necessary to call a tire technician trained to perform a thorough and proper repair. In order to thoroughly inspect the inside of the tire, it is necessary to remove it from the ream.
In some cases, a small object in the tread can cause severe sidewall damage that cannot be repaired.
What To Do When The Bolt Is In The Tire But Not Leaking?
The bolt in it may not have caused a leak because it did not infiltrate your tire.
However, leaving it this way will eventually result in a leak. It’s because as the tire tread wears and flexes, the bolt will be pushed deeper into the entire body.
The best option is to take your car to a tire shop and have them check the bolt that has become lodged on it. Even if the bolt did not become more embedded, it still needs to be removed.
Is It Safe To Drive With Bolt In Your Tire?
Driving with a bolt in your tire is an absolute no-no.
There’s a possibility you’ll make it to the shop without incident, but the risk cannot outweigh the benefits. Your tire could rip and deflate quickly, leaving you with little control than usual at any time.
There will be a hole in the tire as soon as a bolt punctures it. It is because the bolt on the tire rubs against the hole’s wall whenever it rotates. In which later on, the hole grows more prominent.
It is a potential hazard you may encounter on the road. Therefore, you must check your tires are free of sharp things.
If you start noticing an object embedded in it, pull over at any time and have it fixed at a nearby shop. If you hear a high pitch noise coming from your tire, you must pull over and verify it for any punctures.
Summary
In summary, as a vehicle owner, you must always carry a spare tire with you in case your car becomes stuck due to unforeseeable events.
Any object embedded in your tire must be removed as soon as possible. It’s not recommended to rely solely on temporary solutions. As a result, it will only exacerbate the situation.
Before attempting to remove the object stuck on your tire, look for a long-term solution and seek professional assistance. A lack of knowledge can increase the risk of damaging your tires rather than repairing them.
Related:
- Tire Sidewall Cut
- Small Chunk of Tire Sidewall Missing
- Cold Tire Pressure vs. Hot
- How Long Does It Take To Get New Tires?
- How to Tell if Your Tire Was Slashed?
Resources
Image credits – Canva