Unfixable Puncture, what are my options? (bit of a rant).

[GPT27]

I am one very unhappy man.

Yesterday I pulled up and noticed a 6" nail sticking into my tyre right on the edge. I understand that this makes it not safe to repair. I am particularly annoyed as it was a nearly new Toyo Proxes T1-S only fitted a few months ago.

I rang one garage and they told me that it cannot be fixed conventionally and that they do not make inner tubes to fit that size of tyre (205/50 R15) meaning replacement is the only option.

Also the Toyo T1-S has been replaced by the T1-R, is it safe to mix these across an axle (rear) as I know the 'R' has reinforced sidewalls and performs somewhat differently.

If I do end up having to do this would it be a good idea to run different pressures across the axle in an effort to make them equally compliant?

If anyone has any thought that may help me I would love to hear them, ie:

1. Thoughts about possible repairs (is the inner tube story true?)
2. Availability of a T1-S
3. Advice about mixing the tyres (and pressures).
4. Anything else you can think of.

What makes matters worse is that it's a bank holiday meaning hardly anywhere is open, there are train strikes tomorrow meaning I can't get to work without a car (possibly a bonus) and on Wednesday I am off on holiday meaning I need to get it done before I go as it's booked in at Lakeside for servie and MOT the morning of my return.

Sorry about the rant, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys.

[Specky]

Depending on where the hole is...

If it's on the crown, some tyres can be plugged from the inside outwards

TTFN

[Sy V]

If, as you say, it's on the edge, I agree that it's non-fixable.
I'm also afraid that it would not be wise to mix different tyres on the same axle (regardless of efforts to equate them using dissimilar pressures).
T-1S's are indeed hard to come by these days. I'm sorry to say that you'll probably end up having to get two replacement tyres.

Good luck, though.

[Monty]

Take the wheel to a tyre place so they actually see where the puncture is.

Have a look on ebay for the T1-S or do a search on the net, u may get lucky.

[surfboardfiller]

You have my sympathy,
Try ringing around the lotus dealers or dealers likely to have one kept in stock. Some do keep performace tyres.

The wall is ithe structural part of the tyre, so any weakness there is un adviseable.

I guess you have put a wanted ad on this forum and Pistonheads.

Good luck,

Phil

[JIMBO]

Hi,
I'm sorry to have to agree with the advise allready given.
Penetrations near the edge of the belt (shoulder) should not be repaired and mixing two types of tyre is never advisable. I should know because I am currently doing just that, and mixing sizes front to rear !!
The only tubes made in low profile sizes were for competition use and I don't believe these are available now. In any case I would not reccomend fitting tubes in tyres fitted to any vehicle capable of exceeding 55mph. The reason for this is due to the sudden loss of air and therefore control, as the valve pulls back inside the tyre. Even a tube with a bolt in valve will deflate more quickly than a tubeless tyre with a "penetration" type puncture.
I know its hard to look on the bright side, but at least it didn't cause you to have an accident.
Good luck with your tyre search.
Jim

[Ekapol]

I hear you. Just recently I had the same problem and they couldn't locate my older Kumho. Ended up with replacing all 4 with Toyo T1-R

Very annoying nail problem.. You should be able to get away by just getting a new pair for the front as the others are quite new. They should be close enough R <--> S.