Proper Repairs in the Shop and on the Road Brian Laughlin Brian Laughlin Technical Training Manager Tech International

REMEMBER THIS NUMBER 87.5

Shop Repair vs. Road Repair Top 10 Reasons for doing a Road Repair Common Repair Methods Effects of Poor Workmanship RMA repair procedures The Missing Link 2006 Scrap Tire Study Costs to the Retreader, Tire Dealer, Fleet Policing Our Industry Proper Repairs in the Shop and on the Road

Shop Repair Tire repairs performed by trained technicians in a service bay or in a full service repair facility. While often a fast paced environment, a tire spreader, tools and repair materials are more readily available. Lighting adequate, climate often more favorable. Shift is usually 8 to 10 hours.

Road Repair Tire repair done by a trained technician on the side of the road, parking lot, or wherever the vehicle stopped. Usually no one around but the Tire tech and the driver. Driver sets the tempo of the job. Just make it hold air mentality. Inclimate weather conditions can be a factor. Lighting is not adequate, tool selection limited. Service call hours can be 24/7.

Top 10 Reasons for Doing a Road Repair 10. Tire Tech-Monday Night Football is on in 30 minutes. If I just plug it Ill be home in time for the pre-game show. 9. Tires are only the 3 rd largest expense to the fleet, the drivers time is worth more than a casing. 9. Tires are only the 3 rd largest expense to the fleet, the drivers time is worth more than a casing. 8. Driver-Just patch it for now. Ill have the injury filled in the next 50 to 100 miles when Im having the lug nuts re- torqued. 8. Driver-Just patch it for now. Ill have the injury filled in the next 50 to 100 miles when Im having the lug nuts re- torqued. 7. Tire Tech-I dont need to fill the small ones, moisture doesnt penetrate a hole less than 1/8 anyway. 7. Tire Tech-I dont need to fill the small ones, moisture doesnt penetrate a hole less than 1/8 anyway. 6. Ive been using these string plugs for thirty-eight years and never had a problem. 6. Ive been using these string plugs for thirty-eight years and never had a problem.

5. Tire Tech- Ill just plug it for now if you promise to have the patch installed when the lug nuts are re-torqued in the next miles. 4. Dont worry Ive got this all purpose patch. It will hold anything. 3. Can I borrow a nickel? With a hole this big the patch needs some extra reinforcement. 2. If I put this screw back in the hole, you promise to have it repaired in the next miles. 1. Have you gotta light? My grandpa showed me this trick a long time ago to make sure the patch will stick. Stand back! Stand back! Top 10 reasons for Doing a Road Repair

Common Repair Methods On-the-wheel Plug Repair Inside Patch Only Repair

On-The-Wheel Plug Repair Damage is not removed. Tire is not reinforced Liner is not sealed Impossible to detect hidden damage

Inside Patch only Outside and inside views of the injury with the steel belts exposed showing rust present.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Unfilled injury resulting in increased damage to the casing. This photo shows the previous injury with all damage removed. The injury has grown to a section repair.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Patch/Plug combination repair Great attempt… …just came up a little short.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Sidewall Bulge This casing was rejected because of a pencil bulge in the sidewall.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Sidewall Bulge The injury, located at the edge of the crown area, was repaired with a patch plug unit. The object penetrated the tire at an angle but the technician drilled straight through creating another hole. The bulge is a result of moisture entering the casing, allowing rust to follow the steel cable in the sidewall.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Combination Bias repair in a radial tire. Unfilled injury. Poor buffed texture

Effects of Poor Workmanship Open injury being processed to remove all rust and separation.

Affects of Poor Workmanship Rust and Separation Due to Open Injuries.

Effects of Poor Workmanship Repair Over an Unfilled Injury

RMA Procedures For Puncture Repair of Truck/Bus tires Four basic principles for puncture repair 1. Remove the tire from the wheel and inspect 2. Prepare the injury 3. Fill the injury with a suitable vulcanizing material or rubber stem that will keep moisture out 4. Seal the inner liner with a repair to prevent air loss Consensus of Tire Manufacturers, Repair Manufacturers, and Tire Industry Associations

Proper Repair Materials Patch/plug combination repair Two-Piece repair

2006 Scrap Tire Study RMA in conjunction with NHTSA examined scrap tires form various cities around the USA. 14,271 tires were examined. 17.4%, 2483 of the tires had been repaired. How many tires were repaired properly?

50%?40%?30%?20%? 2006 Scrap Tire Study Percentage of properly repaired tires?

310 tires or 12.5 % 87.5% Improper! Plug only or Patch only 2006 Scrap Tire Study Percentage of properly repaired tires

Improper Repair Costs Everyone Retreader –Improper repairs requiring re-work –Nail hole injuries requiring section repair –Tires scrapped during retread process Tire Dealer –Above costs passed on from retreader –Customer comebacks –Time and repair materials Fleet –Increased tire costs –Downtime Other –Environmental – rubber on the road, scrap tire piles. –Tax dollars to remove debris.

The Missing Link … RMA Repair Procedures Road Repairs Please minimize the presentation and play the Drill-Fill.avi movie.

The Missing Link … RMA Repair Procedures 1. Drill the injury 2. Cement the injury 3. Fill the injury Total time: 87.5 seconds Road Repairs

Its just a tire repair Proper Tire Repair is a proven method of returning a crucial component of the vehicle safely back to service. 87.5% of the repairs examined in this study did not meet industry standards, tire manufacturers warranties, or repair manufacturers guidelines. In what other industry would a 12.5% performance rating be accepted? –Cardiology? –Pharmacy? –Waste Collection? –How many coaches get to keep their job with a winning percentage of 12.5%? –What if the US Air Force only hit their target 12.5% of the time? Would they proudly say we may not hitem all of the time, but we sure blow a lot of stuff up! Some say its just a tire repair. The reality is doing the job half right is like lighting the fuse of a 250,000 pound bomb.

Policing Our Industry Possible Consequences –New Federal Legislation –NHTSA has the documented scrap tire study showing 87.5% of repairs were done improperly. (The TREAD Act resulted from one specific problem yet is effecting the entire passenger vehicle and passenger tire markets. Mandatory TPMS on new vehicles is placing a burden on tire dealers trying to compete for service revenue with auto dealerships.) (The TREAD Act resulted from one specific problem yet is effecting the entire passenger vehicle and passenger tire markets. Mandatory TPMS on new vehicles is placing a burden on tire dealers trying to compete for service revenue with auto dealerships.) Does your repair material supplier offer tire repair training? As an owner or manager of a tire business, or fleet service manager, do you police your tire repair procedures… or is it just a tire repair? or is it just a tire repair?