Need opinions on slow leak in BFG AT, repair/replace?

[Henrythewound]

I bought some 265/75/16 BFG ATs on craigslist for a very good price about a year ago. They were essentially new and were sold b/c the PO bought them, had them installed, then put a lift on his truck and decided they looked too small. Lately I have noticed my driver's rear tire has a very slow leak. I can pump it up and it will last about a week before it looks low again. This morning it took it into Discount Tire and they said I need a new tire as the puncture is outside the steel belt. It is still within the tread, not on the sidewall, but far enough out that they cannot fix it. Apparently there is no object in the puncture either, just a very small hole.

Other than that the tire is fine with plenty of life left. Any opinions on using something like slime to try and fix the leak? I run tubeless tires on my mountain bike and these small punctures heal nicely. The other option I have is to replace the tire with my matching spare (essentially new) and get a used tire of the same size for a new spare. I want to avoid paying over $150 for a new tire no matter what I decide to do. Anyone else ever encounter a similar puncture and what did you do?

[mastacox]

Well, Discount can't repair the leak for liability issues, but that doesn't mean you can't...

I would find and mark the hole, and then get a tire plug kit and plug that sucker up. If it works, great!

[Seanz0rz]

im with brian on this one, either way you need a new tire, worth trying to fix yourself, at least until you can save up for a new tire, etc.

[Henrythewound]

Excelent, i have never plugged a tire myself so i'll have to lok into it, I'm assuming kits exist where you do not have to remove the tire from the rim? Any particular kit you recommend? It sounds like the slime route is not a popular option.

[mastacox]

I've never found the slime to be particurally effective, and its a terrible mess to clean up afterwards.

The tire plug kits I'm thinking of will require you to break the bead of the tire/rim near the leak so you can push the sidewall of the tire in some and reach inside the tire to pull the plug from the inside through the hole. It's not that hard to do, and all you'll need to re-set the bead is an air compressor and some water.

[Good Times]

I have a Safety Seal offroad tire repair kit.

Source: Link

[Henrythewound]

Thanks, I'll have to give it a shot. I was trying to avoid removing the bead of the tire mainly because I feel like the tire will not be in balance after that (actually it may not be already as I think DT took it off and remounted to check for repairability). It's definitely worth a shot, thanks for the tips. I'll try and post pics/results if it works out.
~joe

[BruceTS]

I carry the safety seal kit and have used it quite a bit. Plugged many tires outside the zone and have never had a problem. Just plug and run it til the tire wears out.

[Henrythewound]

Sweet, looks like WabFab has the same/similar kit for only $18 shipped, sounds like a good gamble even if it doesn't work out. Thanks for the tips.

[4x4mike]

sk the tire guys about throwing a tube in there. A lot of buggy guys run or carry tubes instead of carrying a large spare. Most of their rigs don't have space for a full size spare.