My dumb luck - and some wheel bolt advice

[deschodt]

This morning, no idea why today in particular, I glance around the 996's 4 corners before taking it out. Actually, maybe because the Pirellis are so crappy that they take a flatspot by just sitting overnight, and I want to make sure they are not deflated, but I digress...

**** !!! A flat rear tire ! Must have happened last night since I did not feel it.... A quick inspection reveals a nice nail in a repairable area. No problem right ? just unbolt the wheel and quickly bolt on the spare so that the car does not sit askew all day... Uh oh, where's the anti-theft nut ? Fast forward to 30 minutes of frantic searches, no nut. I am screwed ! The car has a flat tire that won't come off the car... catch 22 ! The dealer needs minimum 3 days to order one, if I can tell them which # it is... Don't know that either ! Or I can have it flatbedded to the dealer where they'll use their master set, and charge me $120 an hour to repair my tire. And my other car is at the shop ;-) Good day !!! I steal my pregnant wife's car and leave her the "collector" 912 that runs on 3 cylinders in case she needs to go have the baby, and go to work late...

Tonight I go pick up my other commuter from the shop, an 83 SC, since the 996 is out for the rest of the week at best! That's the dumb luck part... My 83 used to have magnesium anti-theft bolts from way back when (possibly 1983). I ditched them long ago when some monkey overtorqued them and they had to be drilled out. But I kept the "key-nut-bolt thingie" in the glove box - forgot to trash it really. No way the nut would match my modern 996's pattern, right ? Bah, worth a try.... Perfect fit !!!

Conclusion to the story: If you're gonna use that $#%$% anti-theft lug nut system, know the # of your "key" so you can order one when you lose it or when it breaks - yes, they do break. Other conclusion in my case: Deep 6 the blasted nuts and install a conventional one. If any (paying?) member wants a free set of bolts with the correct "key", pay shipping and they are yours !

PS: I've had performance tires repaired before, I am not worried about the freeway, but would a repaired tire be safe at 150MPH down the straight at Sebring ? I'm leaning towards no, besides that'd give me 2 months to wear out the squirellies and install proper tires !

[viper501]

Even patched and plugged properly, I'd still be a tad nervous about 150 for sustained periods of time. The risk/utility equation just doesn't work when you're talking about a 300 dollar tire or a $x0,000 car.

[violaGT3]

Even patched and plugged properly, I'd still be a tad nervous about 150 for sustained periods of time. The risk/utility equation just doesn't work when you're talking about a 300 dollar tire or a $x0,000 car.

I second this. Any plug is a questionable one and one wrong bump in the wrong spot could split that tire in 2 at that speed. Also let me know if you find a good deal on tires I do not like the road noise from the P-Zero's on my car. 295-30-19's

[deschodt]

Even patched and plugged properly, I'd still be a tad nervous about 150 for sustained periods of time. The risk/utility equation just doesn't work when you're talking about a 300 dollar tire or a $x0,000 car.

I second this. Any plug is a questionable one and one wrong bump in the wrong spot could split that tire in 2 at that speed. Also let me know if you find a good deal on tires I do not like the road noise from the P-Zero's on my car. 295-30-19's

Well, the thing is I HATE the pirellis like no tire I've ever had before. The thought of having to buy a new one makes me want to throw up... I will get this one patched and use the car as is for 2 months or so until the ALMS, CART and IRL release Sebring to us. Then before the first Porsche club DE I will go buy a set of michelins or bridgestones !

150 is the upper end, maybe hit for 1 or 2 seconds at the end of the back straight. The rest of the track it's 30->110 average...

But yeah, I feel the same !