Air Compressors & Tyre Maintenance

There’s no better feeling than getting off-road and feeling just what your 4WD is capable of. But compared to unicyclists, you’re 4x more likely to get a puncture. That’s where Outback Equipment’s tyre repair kits come into play.

Each of our kits has got the right stuff to get you up and running again. And yes, that includes an instruction manual, if you’re the sort that actually looks after their tyres.

Repairing a 4WD Tyre Puncture

First off – don’t take a “she’ll be right” approach to a flat. Unless you get a thrill from damaging your rims, axel, and gearbox, you’re better off fixing it as soon as you pick it. And for your average puncture, there are 5 pretty simple steps to getting back on track. In fact, a tyre repair kit will help you perform the repairs without the wheel coming off the rim.

1) Identify the puncture

Of course, there’s a limit to what any tyre repair kit can help with. If you gash the entire side of your tyre on a sharp rock, that tyre’s done. But if a small hole is pricked by a screw or nail, there’s a better than average chance you can plug it.

Once you’ve spotted the point where air is leaking, you can set to work fixing it. But as much as you won’t need to take the wheel off the car, it certainly doesn’t hurt to jack the wheel off the ground at this point.

2) Clean out the hole

The idea is that the plug needs to be bigger than the hole – otherwise it’s not going to get much done. That’s where the heavy-duty probe tool comes into play. You can turn that jagged, uneven hole into the perfect shape for plugging.

3) Glue it and plug it

Before you set into shoving a plug in there, be sure to use the radial cord lubricant to help the cord slip into place, then keep the air in.

Once you’re ready, the metal insertion tool will get that cord right down into the hole – and shut it off completely. Just give the leftover cord a haircut with the cord trimming knife, and you’ve got yourself one mighty fine plug.

4) Give it 10 and pump it up

That just about sums it up. 10-15 minutes should be all you need for that plug to have set, then you can get some air back into it.

5) Keep a loose eye on it

Maybe just check how that tyre’s holding up a bit down the road. If you’re getting the same pressure after 20-30 minutes, you’ve nailed it.

Check out the range of Outback Equipment tyre repair kits, and add one to your kit today.