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-   -   Puncture Procedure for Alloy Wheels (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-alloy-wheel-section/19709-puncture-procedure-alloy-wheels.html)

Hi,

Can somebody let me know if tube tyres on brand new chrome alloys get punctured, is it safe to get the puncture repaired from regular puncture walas or we need to go to a specialist store?

I am concerned the regular puncture walas maybe too brutal in removing the rims from the tyre while repairing the puncture that may entail ( scratches,bent rims etc.)

At the same time, any suggestions for ensuring that new alloys are not cracked/broken during a long highway drive ( Planning a Goa trip from Hyd which will be around 2200KM to and fro) as I got to know from some of my friends their regular rims have bended due to real bad road enroute.

Thanks
Mobike008

Get the puncture treated by a proper tire shop instead of roadside wala.Some smaller towns have decent tire shops too (like we experienced during the Goa national Team-BHP meet).So, u can drive till there with ur spare.
Wat size tires are u using?

Thanks. Its stock tyres ( 13") on my viva crdi. Alloys are same size

Your worry is very valid Mobike. I had a flat tire on my way to H'bad between Chautuppal and Hyderabad. I had no other choice but to go to a local repair guy. As you rightly said, I can still see the scratches and marks on the wheel rim. Another option you have is to make sure you sit with those guys and make sure they handle it well. They use some funny iron bars to remove the tire & drag the wheel rim on floor, etc...

I had to get it fixed despite having a spare alloy because I thought "what if I have another puncture before I reach Hyderabad".

@Sreenivas: Exactly, i am worried about those funny iron rod bars;)

I got answer to my first question and I will get it done at a specialist store.

Any ideas you guys can pitch regarding my second query?

u bet man.. i got a couple punctures repaired in the middle of the night once. that stupid guy just screwed my brand new alloys.. since it was dark, just couldnt make out the damage. but the morning brought with it scenes of devastation..

that shouldnt be a cause for any worries.. unless you slam your wheels bigtime somewhere, they should be able to take the brunt.. enjoy your drive..:)

Alloys are not flimsy as it looks. ITs pretty strong. They will break only on severe impact. Are you planning the trip via Hospet? Send some feedback on the route whichever you take.

@Kutlee: If you let me know your email id via.PM. I will send you the 2 route options that I have. Still havent decided which route to take.

If you can advice which route has better roads and shorter distance, it would be great.

I am leaving early morning on Dec 21st.

@NK: thanks for your inputs. Btw, i checked out the links of your trip to the mountain land. Its just fantastic. Did you go in a wagon R?:Shockked: .

I went up to Rohtang last year late december.

Do you have tubeless tyres or tubed tyres on your alloys?

Most punctures on tubeless tyres are very easy to fix. The tyres don't need to be even removed from the rims. And most of the time, the wheels don't even need to be removed from the car.

There's a puncture fix kit for tubeless tyres available for just 150.00 or so. My tyre guy showed me how to fix punctures on tubeless tyres using the kit. Verrrry easy. You basically just shove in a folded piece of rubber into the tyre through the puncture (some kinda ointment like thing -- glue I guess -- is applied to the rubber piece before you shove it in) using a tool. Then you cut off the extra length protruding out of the tyre. Wait for a few secs, fill air and get back on the road. That's all.

Any good tyre shop will have this kit. If you catch them at a lean time and chat them up, any of the mechanics will show you how the kit is used.

Tubed tyres are a different story. If you have tubed tyres and if you love your alloys, you will have a spare with you for emergencies. And you will never ever trust the roadside tyrewallah.

But he'd still have to rely on the raodside tyre service guy for dismounting the wheel even if carrying a spare tube. I suggest you switch to tubeless tyres to avoid having to dismount your wheels everytime you have a puncture,as in using a quickfix t/less repair kit that hydrashox mentioned wouldn't even require you to take the tire off it's rim as it's done from above the tread.it's only for deeper gashes and when getting a professional repair done (mushroom patch) that you need to dismount your tyre. If you're one of those paranoid about "tubeless apne yahan kaise chalega" types than the best you can do is to ask the tyre service guy to pour some soap solution or even plain water to loosen the bead seat around the rim edge so that he uses less force to pry the tire out from the rim.

Guys,

Thanks for the overwhelming response to my query. Like I mentioned I drive a viva crdi, it runs on tube tyres ( unfortunately!) and i dont intend to change the stock tyres atleast for a year or so. After that period, will certainely go for PLUS size and on t/less:)

I got my puncture repaired at a bridgestone authorized store and was pleasantly surprised he charged me only 75 bucks ( 50 for imported repair sticker & 25 for service)