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Dodge Ram: How to Fix a Tire Leak

Here's how to repair a tire leak on your Dodge Ram right from the comfort of your own garage.

By Charlie Gaston - July 1, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram (1994-present).

A slow tire leak can feel like a slow death for a tire as it runs out of breath. Slowly but surely, your tire will run completely out of air and leave you stranded somewhere. The professional cost to repair it isn't too expensive, but it can be time consuming, not to mention that more than 3/4th of the cost is for labor alone. The process is rather simple and can be done from home. We'll walk you through removing the bad tire, locating the source of the leak, and fixing it.

Materials Needed

  • Tire plug kit
  • Truck jack
  • Jack stands
  • Wrench
  • Pliers
  • Utility knife
  • Liquid soap and water in a spray bottle

Step 1 – Remove the wheel

Loosen the lug nuts on the leaking tire. Use your jack to raise the car, then secure it with jack stands. Remove the tire from your truck.

Figure 1. Raise the truck, secure it with jack stands, and remove the tire.

(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Truck - Dodgeforum.com)

Step 2 – Find and remove the obstruction

Using a mixture of liquid soap and water, spray your wheel's surface. Proceed section by section and be sure to notice bubbles that form on the rubber. Remove heavily-embedded objects, such as nails and other blunt obstructions, using a pair of pliers.

Figure 2. The formation of a bubble is an indication of a puncture.

Pro Tip

Larger items such as nails should be easy to spot without needing to spray your wheels.

Step 3 – Permanently close the puncture

Position the T-handle tool included in your tire plug kit over the puncture, and add a liberal application of cement to the tire plug. Then, insert it into the puncture by twisting it into place. Grab a utility knife and trim down the plug tread to half an inch.

  • Check your work by spraying the area once more, and be on the lookout for air bubbles.
  • Once you are sure there are no leaks, lower your truck and drive it.
  • If you continue to notice air bubbles on the rubber, it's recommended that you have a certified mechanic plug and patch your tire for you.
Figure 3. It's as easy as 1-2-3-!

Featured Video: How to Repair a Punctured Tire

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