Honda service told me that tire diameters should be between 1%-3% of each other on an AWD.

Check your tread depth and do the math. Also you can buy one tire and get the new tire shaved to match the others.

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I don't know about all Hercules tires, but their all steel construction trailer tire costs about $150 and is made in China. The made in the USA GoodYear equivalent is $430. They were only $350 apiece when I popped for a set 6 years ago for the 5th wheel. I'll admit I was tempted, but then I thought $75k for the 5th wheel, $54k for the tow vehicle, and me, my wife, three kids and the dog in the truck. I really love the dog, so I bought the GoodYears.

Tires are expensive.

How much is your safety worth?

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Get one of these kits

https://www.autozone.com/tire-...xt=TIRE%20PLUG%20KIT

Take off the tire, air it up and have at it with the kit

THIS! You don't need to be a 'Rocket Surgeon' to plug a tire...And that kit will pay for itself the first time you use it. Read the directions and just be sure to put a sufficient amount of rubber cement on both sides of the the plug to ensure it seals/cures properly and you should have no issues. I usually spray some slightly soapy water on the plug after it's installed/cured a bit to ensure no leakage! Even kitchen/glass cleaner will work for this.

Oh and that 'two finger rule' is kinda bull shit! Seriously, my rule of thumb is well, my thumb, as in a thumb width from the edge of the tread block. Any closer than that and it's probably best to replace the tire. I plugged plenty of tires, including a few within 'two fingers' and I've never had one leak. I say Plug Away...

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Plug it

I concur. Plug it! I recommend the $35 dollar "ultimate" plugger kit due to the all metal tools. The cheaper $14 dollar version has flimsy plastic handles. Or, throw your spare on and drive to a mom and pop place. Most of them will plug it when a chain store won't.

If you are able, take the damaged tire off and take it to a tire repair place to see about the repair with a patch.
You just want a tire repair, either they can repair it or they will tell you why they can't, you don't need to give them a big story, just repair the tire. You don't need a big lecture either from them.
Maybe after repair you could rotate the fronts to the back.

Of course they will tell you the best option is for 4 brand new tires, but they are tire salesman, the more the better. Like asking a window salesman "how many windows should I replace on my house"?

Thanks guys. a few things. The mom and pop local shop refused to fix it. I could go to a local napa store and see what they have for a plug kit.
The spare is some kind of smaller tire.
I talked with costco. If my tire which I am testing to see how long it will hold air could get me the less than 100 mile trip I would order the BF Goodrich Advantage control for about $750 otd. If it won't I will probably go with the $800 Hercules tire.
Much of my driving is in BFE with no one or no tire service anywhere close and if the plug fails I am screwed. So feeling like I need a set of new tires unfortunately.

For those of you thinking a tire at the lower end of the cost spectrum is junk I am not sure that is the case. Like I said the Hercules tire is American made, in a Cooper tire factory I believe.

Bring it into our shop. Sounds like we would probably repair it.

I wished I could KH.

Two fingers we talking Shaq or Simone Biles fingers?

buy a new set and get the warranty, I have the same tires and love them, I know it sucks but if you plug it you always be thinking about it.

Which tires XLT, the BFG's or Hercules?

Yeah, it was a big shock to me also when I was told I had to replace all 4 tires. Sounded like a rip-off to me even with the "technical" explanation.

Find a good Indy shop. If it’s unsafe they won’t do it. If it is they will. Chains are much more rigid. They prefer to never repair.

WalMart has Coopers on sale for $126 each. Link

Or the Hercules. There's no way I'd drive 3 hours round trip to buy tires from CostCo. There are WalMarts everywhere I travel, so getting the tires balanced, repaired or replaced is somewhat convenient in that respect. If I only stayed in one area, that would open up the independent shop option for me.

I have done probably 50 plugs over the last 30 plus years on family and friends vehicles, never had one fail. Not sure where y'all are getting this info

First I would check a different shop and see if they will patch.

Second, not all Hercules tires are made in the USA. Learned this one first hand.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
Plug it

This.

For those who have never done this, it is easy.

1) Go to your local auto parts place, a chain or independent either one.
2) Purchase a plug kit. This will have plugs, solvent, and a tool to insert the plug. Something like this.
3) Follow directions on the kit.
4) Air up to appropriate pressure.

Note that, in many cases you don't even have to dismount the tire, or even jack up the car. Just roll the car until you have access to the puncture location. Most of the time, finding the puncture is the hardest part of the process.

I’ve plugged punctures myself that a shop would never do. The last was a rivet right in the shoulder, as it curved to the sidewall. I consulted a relative that owns a heavy construction business first.

I plugged it, then watched it very closely for years, newer Michelin Defenders. That tire never leaked a bit.

I’m not even saying what to do, just what I have done. Certain things may work for one, then not the next guy.

ok guys, I am thinking about the plug deal. Not sure if I can find the puncture though.
I do have the tire off the vehicle.