Screw in tire but no puncture - replace?

[PitchS4]

2 weekends ago I was driving home from my parent's house and when we stopped for lunch and I noticed a screw in my tire, in the shoulder at that. I thought for sure the tire was toast.

The screw was still sticking out a few mm, like it hit the steel belt but didn't go through it. Or maybe becuase it was 1/2 of an inch from the edge of the tire it wasn't totally flush against the road surface so it didn't get forced all the way in? The screw was pretty small probably about 1/2 long it looked like a body screw. I remove it and it didn't seem to be leaking but I was about to head over the bay bridge (5 miles no place to pull over) so I wasn't taking chances and threw the spare on.

2 weeks later, the tire is back on and not losing any air...seeing as it was in the shoulder should I replace it, or leave it as is since there is no puncture? I've just been driving it around town, haven't done a long drive or anything over 70mp but it seems fine...

P.S:
Our spare tire sucks compared to the full size spares on my previous S4s. Audi really cheaped out on this.

PSA:
If you are running spacers with a wheelcentric lip keep a set of OEM length lugs in your car for the spare becuase the spacers won't fit the spare, and your longer lugs may be too long with the spare on. I was lucky and had spacers on the rear only so I could swap things around but I could have been SOL if I was running longer bolts on all 4 corners.

[mcoomer]

It may be fine but I'm always leery of punctures in the sidewall. Personally, I'd change the tire out.

Mike

[achilleas101]

i had this happen on my A4. had a nail go into the tread but didn't puncture into the air cavity. i left it alone and didn't have any problem for the couple months i had the car after that (sold it so don't know what happened). I had taken it to a tire place and the guy confirmed no air was coming out, so he recommended to just leave it be. not much you can do.

[PitchS4]

i had this happen on my A4. had a nail go into the tread but didn't puncture into the air cavity. i left it alone and didn't have any problem for the couple months i had the car after that (sold it so don't know what happened). I had taken it to a tire place and the guy confirmed no air was coming out, so he recommended to just leave it be. not much you can do.

Where was it, in the shoulder or the tread? If this was just in the tread it would be a no brainer, but becuase it is the shoulder I am a bit concerned. BTW looking forward to seeing the Imola in person soon.

[PitchS4]

It may be fine but I'm always leery of punctures in the sidewall. Personally, I'd change the tire out.

Mike

Agree but this isn't a puncture :p

The tires are at about 4/32 so it is a tough call.

[coolwater]

P.S:
Our spare tire sucks compared to the full size spares on my previous S4s. Audi really cheaped out on this.

I've wondered if a 5th full size wheel from a matching set could fit in the trunk bottom.....

Regarding the nail, since your tires are past 50%, I'd just start shopping for replacement tires.
May even be a good time to swap wheels/tires. Safety is usually an easy sell to the gf/wife....

-cW

[achilleas101]

Where was it, in the shoulder or the tread? If this was just in the tread it would be a no brainer, but becuase it is the shoulder I am a bit concerned. BTW looking forward to seeing the Imola in person soon.

i guess i'm not sure what you're referring to as "the shoulder". mine was near the edge of the tread, definitely not the sidewall, but not smack in the middle of the tire either.

but seeing your later post that you only have 4/32 of tread left, might not be a bad idea to start shopping for new tires anyway. I definitely wouldn't replace just the one. if you're running separate summer/winter set up, if it were me i'd just finish out the season and then replace all the tires.

and yeah, if we can ever set up a meet that works, it'll be good to see everybody.

[MrFunk]

I would not replace it - HOWEVER - I would keep that tire on the rear of the car only. If it blows out at highway speeds it's much safer if it's a rear tire that blows... I doubt this would happen but that's what I'd do...

[dasaudi5]

At 4/32nds, you need new tires anyway....change them before you have a wet road accident!

Just because the screw is in there or through into the tire, it does not necessarily mean it HAS to leak, but get the tire really hot or some heavy cornering and sudden;ly it deflates and then where are you???

Be really smart, bite the bullet and get new tires

[b6onboost]

^ This.

[jmaddr]

Really AWESOME suggestion on keeping a spare set of shorter lugs when running spacers! That sure would have been a frustrating moment on the side of the road if I didn't read this. THANK YOU!

[dbX79]

Dude I had that same problem 1 month ago. Nail went into the sidewall and I had to replace the whole tire. Granted these summer tires on a 13' S4 are anywhere close to cheap. I went to Discount Tire they replaced it for $268 bones and put a accidental warranty on all the other tires. They tire was fine with the nail in it but once the dealer took it out it was leaking at such a small amount it was not noticeable. Sucks because I just got the car a month before that. I would suggest replacing it. My tire pressure alert kept coming on too.

[stingray84]

I had a nail in the thread a few weeks ago. It didn't leak air. I took it to the tire shop to have it repaired. They pulled the nail out and put in a rubber cylinder to fill the hole, calling it a "RMA" repair. Inside of the tire is inspected and the wheel balancing is redone. They claim this method is rock solid but I'm a bit skeptical. Do you guys think this would have any reliability problems if I take the car to the track?

Before fix




After fix

[shonseb]

I probably wouldn't go on track with these, but if you do push your car hard take the suggestion that someone else mentioned and put it on the back. Otherwise you should be fine

[PitchS4]

I probably wouldn't go on track with these, but if you do push your car hard take the suggestion that someone else mentioned and put it on the back. Otherwise you should be fine

It is already on the rear. Defiantly not going to track these, just the occasional running out of 3rd. I think I decided I am going to run them until I put the Winters on and get a new set for next summer. I will keep an eye on the air pressure too but again, so far so good.

[shonseb]

Yeah looking at your tires, you still got a few thousand miles before you hit the wear indicator

[Blake P]

I've removed a small nail that went in at an angle and didn't puncture all the way through. I continued driving on it and never had an issue. That's not to say you won't, but wanted to share my experience. As long as you understand the potential consequence and drive/plan accordingly, you should be fine.

[stingray84]

I probably wouldn't go on track with these, but if you do push your car hard take the suggestion that someone else mentioned and put it on the back. Otherwise you should be fine

Good suggestion. I'll put it in the back.

[jlaudio]

I had a nail in the thread a few weeks ago. It didn't leak air. I took it to the tire shop to have it repaired. They pulled the nail out and put in a rubber cylinder to fill the hole, calling it a "RMA" repair. Inside of the tire is inspected and the wheel balancing is redone. They claim this method is rock solid but I'm a bit skeptical. Do you guys think this would have any reliability problems if I take the car to the track?

Before fix

Thats a tire plug. Normally the back of the plug has a patch and glue that is used to bond the rubber to the rubber permanently. you should be fine.

[CircuitTested]

If it is even touching the sidewall you have to replace.

If it is solidly in the tread, run on over to your local auto place and pick up one of these.

Remove nail, ream out hole (yes that means puncture the tire completely), insert tire plug and voila, good to go.

If anyone is questioning how well these hold up, I've done a full track day on a set of streets with a plug. Tire still holds air over a year later (backup of the backup rim & tire set).

[stingray84]

I went to the track with the said tire after the repair and it was fine. Probably still better to leave it at the rear just in case though.

[Wilbur]

Really AWESOME suggestion on keeping a spare set of shorter lugs when running spacers! That sure would have been a frustrating moment on the side of the road if I didn't read this. THANK YOU!

Never thought of that. THANKS!

[stingray84]

Can I run the spare with spacer?

[schirm]

Can I run the spare with spacer?

As stated in the beginning of the thread no.

P.S:
Our spare tire sucks compared to the full size spares on my previous S4s. Audi really cheaped out on this.

PSA:
If you are running spacers with a wheelcentric lip keep a set of OEM length lugs in your car for the spare becuase the spacers won't fit the spare, and your longer lugs may be too long with the spare on. I was lucky and had spacers on the rear only so I could swap things around but I could have been SOL if I was running longer bolts on all 4 corners.

[jamesj2k]

Had to personally have this done on a long distance drive. Worked like a charm!

Those tires are tough. I had a hard time "reaming" the hole! Elbow grease always gets the work done.

__________________
If it is solidly in the tread, run on over to your local auto place and pick up one of these.

Remove nail, ream out hole (yes that means puncture the tire completely), insert tire plug and voila, good to go.