wrote in message
...

I've been plugging my own tires (yes, steel belt radials) since I can
remember. I've NEVER had one fail. And that myth about not using them
in sidewalls? I had a puncture in the sidewall of my Jeep tire,
plugged it, ran it for 25,000 miles. It never failed, the tire tread
wore out.

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I'd say you were lucky.

Using a plug in the tread section of a tire is not a big deal because the
failure mode, (if it fails) is typically a slow leak that is noticeable.

The problem with using them in the sidewall isn't associated with the plug.
It's the risk that the damage to the sidewall of the tire itself (from the
original cut or hole) compromises the sidewall strength of the tire. The
failure mode is likely to be a sudden and catastrophic blowout and immediate
deflation. Not something you want to happen tooling down the highway at 65
mph. Tends to send vehicles end over end.

Reputable garages will refuse to even attempt to fix a tire with sidewall
damage.

Eisboch