Tire Tips: Reinforced Shoulder Repairs

Keeping tires in good shape and trucks on the road is vital for fleets. There are many elements involved in properly repairing damaged tires and the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) has shared helpful tips and guidelines from the Tread Rubber and Tire Repair Materials Manufacturers' Group (TRMG) for truck tire reinforced shoulder repairs (RSR).

First, it is important to know that the tire industry has experienced issues with incorrect repairs, by improper unit selection or placement, according to TRMG.

Ensuring Proper Tire Repairs

Typically, 50% of the repair unit can be shifted off center. TRMG points out that when “25% on each end of the repair body ends in a high-flex portion of the tire, the additional stress on the repair unit structure can result in repair unit’s cord breakout and/or edge lifting.”

When it comes time to make an RSR repair, templates are provided by repair unit manufacturers. These templates, TRMG’s guidelines explained, indicate the injury width and length that a repair unit can be shifted so it is anchored on non-flex zones of the tire casings.

Since the repair area is adjacent to the flex zones of a tire, placement of the repair unit is vitally important in achieving a proper repair.

Offsetting Repair Unit

TRMG reports it can be beneficial to offset a repair unit.

When a repair unit longer than a #20 is required for a maximum of 5/16” a #22 or #24 repair unit should be used, according to TRMG.

Other than that option, it is best to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Tips for Reinforced Shoulder Repairs

There are several considerations, according to TRMG, when it comes to reinforced shoulder repairs. Those are:

• Avoid ending repair unit placement in the flex zone.
• Keep prepared damage within the guidelines of the template.
• Use a blue triangle on the sidewall of the tire nearest the RSR injury to mark that a repair unit is installed.
• Educate your fleet customers and service providers.

TRMG said it is working with other industry associations to revise and update repair specification changes for a new RSR designation and fleet specifications for retreaders.