How Many Times Can I Repair Steer Tires? Stay Safe And Save With TIRECRAFT

According to BFGoodrich, “steer tires are the most important tires on your truck,” greatly influencing handling, fuel economy, and ride quality, and so steer tire care should be a top priority for drivers and fleet managers alike.

Indeed, because they play such an important part in truck, bus, and tractor-trailer performance, many fleet managers choose to replace steer tires at the first sign of damage. But this is not always necessary, and with the cost of tires going up again in 2023, repairing damaged steer tires may be the better option, especially if you’re working with a limited budget.

But what kinds of steer tire damage can be repaired, and how many times can we patch up punctures in the tread before tire safety and performance is compromised? That’s what today’s post is all about.

Read on to learn all you need to know about steer tire repair, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to get a free quote on any fleet tire care services straight away.

Is Steer Tire Repair Legal?

That depends. Not all damage is created equal—some forms can be repaired multiple times without issue, while others will force your steer tires into early retirement.

As per Part 393.75 (g) of the Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR), a vehicle will not pass an inspection “if it has any tire on any steering axle of a power unit with a boot, blowout patch or other ply repair.”

Additionally, dry-rotted steer tires will need to be replaced.

But note that there is no mention of puncture repairs. This means that, as long as nail holes and punctures are repaired according to industry standards, you can patch your steer tires up as many times as you need.

Steer tires can also be retread on most vehicles, giving you a safe, eco-friendly, and affordable way to rejuvenate tires once the treads have worn away. The only exception is for passenger buses; as per Section 393.75 (d) of the FMCSR, “no bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped or retreaded tires on the front wheels.”

What Industry Standards Apply To Steer Tire Repairs?

For steer tire repairs to be safe and legal, they must be:

• Less than 3/8ths of an inch in diameter
• Located on the crown area of the tread (i.e. 1 ½ inches in from the edge on each side of the tread)
• Completed by a certified professional (i.e. no DIY patch kits)

Additionally, puncture repairs up to 5/16th of an inch can be made on the tire shoulder.

When in doubt, get in touch with a steer tire expert at your local TIRECRAFT.

How Many Times Can I Repair Steer Tires?

As mentioned above, as long as your repairs meet industry standards, there is no limit on the number of times you can patch punctures.

That said, some fleet managers will want to replace damaged steer tires sooner than others. For operations involving high-speed, over-the-road, line-haul work, you may want to err on the side of caution and replace your tires after a few repairs, whereas yard trucks used for simple on-the-lot towing can be repaired an unlimited number of times without worry.

For more personalized steer tire advice, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT.

Stay Safe And Save On Steer Tire Repair: Contact TIRECRAFT

To learn more about steer tire care and get a free quote on retreading or puncture repairs, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT.

References

Fisher, P. (2017, April 19). Peggy Fisher: Some guidelines for repairing and retreading steer tires. Tire Business.

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