Tires are critical to vehicle safety, performance, and efficiency. While external damage like punctures and cuts are relatively easy to detect, internal tire damage can be more elusive—and potentially more dangerous. Internal damage may stem from impacts, overloading, under-inflation, or structural failure and requires a more thorough approach to identify and repair. This article breaks down the internal tire damage repair process step-by-step, explaining how technicians diagnose and resolve hidden tire issues to restore functionality and safety.
1. Initial Inspection
The repair process begins with a comprehensive visual and tactile inspection. Before a tire is removed from the rim, technicians look for external signs of impact, bulging, uneven wear, or embedded debris. While external clues can point to internal issues, not all internal damage shows visible symptoms. A tire may appear fine on the outside but still contain separated belts, sidewall splits, or tread delamination on the inside.
Technicians check the tire’s history, including air pressure patterns, mileage, and recent events like pothole strikes or curb impacts. Knowing the context helps determine if further inspection is warranted.
2. Demounting the Tire
Once internal damage is suspected, the tire is removed from the wheel. This step is critical because most internal tire damage cannot be seen or accessed until the tire is off the rim. Using specialized tire demounting equipment, the technician carefully removes the tire to avoid further damage during the process.
After demounting, both the inner liner and structural components become accessible for inspection.
3. Internal Assessment
With the tire off the wheel, a detailed internal inspection begins. The technician uses proper lighting and often magnification to check for:
- Sidewall cracks or splits
- Belt separation or movement
- Tread delamination
- Bead damage
- Liner abrasions or cuts
Palpation—using the hands to feel for abnormalities—is common during this step. Any signs of heat damage, bruising, or soft spots could indicate deeper structural compromises.
4. Marking the Damage
Once internal damage is located, it’s clearly marked with chalk or a special marker. The area surrounding the damage is outlined, including buffer zones to ensure a thorough repair.
At this stage, the technician evaluates whether the tire is repairable. Not all internal damage can or should be fixed. Damage near the bead, sidewall blowouts, or deep structural separation typically renders the tire non-repairable for safety reasons. If the tire is deemed unrepairable, it is removed from service.
5. Buffing and Cleaning
For repairable damage, the next step involves preparing the area. The technician uses a specialized buffer to roughen the surface of the inner liner around the damaged area. This promotes adhesion of the repair materials.
After buffing, the area is cleaned using a chemical solution that removes dust, oils, and contaminants. Cleanliness is crucial for a secure repair bond.
6. Applying the Repair Material
Once prepped, a tire patch or plug-patch combination is installed over the damaged area. These materials are typically made from reinforced rubber compounds designed to integrate with the tire’s inner liner.
The technician applies vulcanizing cement, then presses the patch into place with a roller to eliminate air bubbles and ensure full contact. In some cases, the patch is heat-cured depending on the system used.
If the damage extends through the tread, a plug may also be inserted from the inside to seal the injury path completely.
7. Curing and Final Inspection
After patch application, the repair area is allowed to cure as per manufacturer guidelines. Once cured, the technician performs a final inspection to ensure the patch is secure, the inner liner is smooth, and no signs of separation remain.
8. Remounting and Balancing
Once the tire passes inspection, it’s remounted on the rim and rebalanced to ensure proper rotation and even wear. Balancing helps avoid vibrations or handling issues post-repair.
9. Testing and Documentation
The final step involves inflating the tire to its recommended pressure and conducting a leak test. If no air loss is detected and the repair holds, the tire is cleared for use. Proper documentation of the repair, including the location and method, is added to the vehicle’s service history.
Conclusion
While internal tire damage can be challenging to detect and repair, following a meticulous and standardized process ensures safety and performance. Not all tires can be saved, but for those that can, professional repair can extend tire life and reduce replacement costs without compromising reliability.
