[AggieStang]

So I just got my new slicks mounted and I noticed one had a lot of air leaked out of it the next day. How do you keep them from leaking? MT's on Jegs Stars w/ no tubes.

[330CubeGt]

Find out where there leaking from first,Pump them up and take some Soapy water and wipe it around the bead or valvestem.Watch for any air bubbles.

It could be a Bad Valve stem Or the schrader valve in the valve stem Might Not be tight or could be bad causing a leak.

If the Bead is Dirty where the tire meets the wheel it could cause a leak.Have had tires do it just from having dirt in there.

Hope you get it fixed soon, Loosing air pressure sucks

[AggieStang]

They were a little dirty when I got them put on there. I'll try that out.

[casper gt]

gotta have tube's in tube type tire's bro, put them in before you can't pass tech at the track or worse yet kill yourself.

[casper gt]

also no pepboys/etc tubes, get M/T tubes.

[AggieStang]

I've got a lot of conflicting info on the tubes. Some say run them others say don't. I've also heard of putting goo on the inside of the tire to keep a seal. This is my first set of slicks so i really don't know what all i need here.

[JayC]

Mt's are known to leak. Coating the inside of the tire with liquid soap is said to help. My Hoosiers will hold air all winter long with no tubes or soap. It is perfectly legal to run tubeless BTW
From Hoosier Racing Tires FAG;

6. Should I use "tubes" in slicks and DOT drag tires?

ANSWER: The decision to run tubes is ultimately up to the racer. Hoosier drag tires are capable of safely running without tubes at the race track. Race tires are inherently susceptible to air leakage due to being built of very light gauge material needed to perform in various racing applications. A decision to use a tube should be based on your application and needs. (Top)

[casper gt]

nothing to conflict about, tube type tire's don't have as much material (in their bead area in particular) in their carcass as a tubless tire & can fail because of it with out a tube. it's even worse on a drag application because of the low psi. in the tire in the first place. do guys run without tube's? yes. but there are always imbiciles trying to get around one rule or another at every track, every weekend (ie. the 10sec cobra guy who refuses to put a cage in his car ). I have seen guys sent home for not having tubes at numerous tracks & IMO they deserve it. if you don't believe me call M/T's tech line & ask their opinion.

[casper gt]

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels
mabie this can help you out.

[JayC]

Originally Posted by casper gt nothing to conflict about, tube type tire's don't have as much material (in their bead area in particular) in their carcass as a tubless tire & can fail because of it with out a tube. it's even worse on a drag application because of the low psi. in the tire in the first place. do guys run without tube's? yes. but there are always imbiciles trying to get around one rule or another at every track, every weekend (ie. the 10sec cobra guy who refuses to put a cage in his car ). I have seen guys sent home for not having tubes at numerous tracks & IMO they deserve it. if you don't believe me call M/T's tech line & ot ask their opinion.

NHRA rules do not require tubes. Tubes are not safer unless the tires are screwed to the wheel. If they are not screwed one good launch can rip out the stem.

[casper gt]

Originally Posted by JayC NHRA rules do not require tubes. Tubes are not safer unless the tires are screwed to the wheel. If they are not screwed one good launch can rip out the stem.

never said the NHRA rules did, I said the tracks that I frequent frown on it & have sent people home over it (as much as you say you go to the track, you do know the track can add any saftey rule they want don't you?) & yes, you need to screw the tires to the rim with tubes, but you'll need screws with out tubes (on slicks), so what does that matter?

[JayC]

Originally Posted by casper gt never said the NHRA rules did, I said the tracks that I frequent frown on it & have sent people home over it (as much as you say you go to the track, you do know the track can add any saftey rule they want don't you?) & yes, you need to screw the tires to the rim with tubes, but you'll need screws with out tubes (on slicks), so what does that matter?

I have ran at 5 different tracks in National events as well as local Test and Tune. I have never seen anyone sent home for not having tubes. I have seen a few sent home for not having metal valves stems or open ended lugnuts. You do not need screws if tubeless. I do not run tubes in my Hoosiers and they are not screwed to the rims. Running 12-14 psi they will slip about 1/4" per launch. That could be a problem if the tires were balanced but the Hoosiers are made so well balancing is not needed.

[casper gt]

we'll have to agree to dis-agree on this one. I don't skimp on saftey.

[JayC]

Originally Posted by casper gt we'll have to agree to dis-agree on this one. I don't skimp on saftey.

That's fine with me. Some people feel better with tubes and some without. Here's a good thread about this very subject. As you can see not every agrees here as well
http://forums.corral.net/forums/show...t=tubes+needed

[casper gt]

yup, just one of those thing that everyone has an opinion on. it's all good as long as your comfortable with your desision. this is one of the thing's that make me glad I have always been an auto & always will be (things have gotten a lot easier though since the early '90's & them coming out with drag radials, before that we used mostly circle track stuff) much easier tire choice.

[AggieStang]

I tried the soap thing proposed by 330cube and found out that there was a tiny puncture in the lettering that was slowly leaking. I'm going to get it fixed tomorrow. Thanks for all the discussion and the link. Reps to all.

[AggieStang]

Whoops, it wont let me rep 330 or casper. Thanks anyway though.

[AggieStang]

I'm going to run no tubes and check the pressure between runs btw.

[JayC]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow I'm going to run no tubes and check the pressure between runs btw.

Good idea

[MustangMatt96GT]

i have never run a tube.... my tires will move about a 1/4 inch around the rim each launch too... never had an issue... other tahn wearing a tire out... im going with a hooiser this time around 28x12x15 drag slick or possibley a DOT and no tube... i can see a tube being safer in some instantances and it being more unsafe in other instances...