Abstract: A probe and gauge system for determining the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair. The probe is inserted into an injury in a tire such as a puncture hole and the angle of the hole, known as the injury angle, is calculated on the gauge to determine the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair.

Abstract: A tire repair insert having a body defined by a pair of ends, a pair of parallel sides, and a pair of edges, with one of said edges being tapered from one of the ends to the other of the ends such that the cross-sectional area of the body increases from a minimum at one end, to a maximum at the other end. The body includes a pair of outer layers of semi-cured rubber, and an intermediate layer of semi-cured rubber. A layer of cured rubber is positioned between the intermediate layer and each of the outer layers. The rubber layers are free of any internal reinforcement and have an elongation factor of approximately 600%. In a method for repairing tires with the above described tire repair insert, a technician first observes the puncture within the tire. If the puncture is small, then the smallest cross-sectional portion of the tire repair insert is placed within an eye of an end slot needle.