Is it too dumb to track with slightly leaking shock

[RichardJ]

I booked a track session next week but I have slightly blown rear left shock

Not bouncy at all, just the clanking sound at low speeds

Am I ok for a light track session?

[stevesnj]

No, Check and tighten bolts to spec just in case.

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

No, Check and tighten bolts to spec just in case.

Exactly what I wanted to hear lol thanks

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by RichardJ

Exactly what I wanted to hear lol thanks

Hope it's easy as just bolts, if it is check the other 3 wheels. Let us know what happened

[soulreapersteve]

Wouldn't they catch this during tech inspections?

[LOLS2K]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

Wouldn't they catch this during tech inspections?

I doubt that they'll catch it if the shock is only "slightly leaking". Hell, some HPDE is self-tech.

[Icecreamtruk]

Did a whole season (13 track days) with blown shocks. The fronts were leaking ever so slightly at first, towards the end of the year the fronts were gone (empty), and rears already leaking. Its just not good for lap times, but it wont damage your car.

[bcj]

Some track organizations may take issue with fluids dripping on their assets.
How responsible do you feel for stuffing someone else into the over-run?

[RichardJ]

Originally Posted by bcj

Some track organizations may take issue with fluids dripping on their assets.
How responsible do you feel for stuffing someone else into the over-run?

It's leaking very slightly so I doubt it'll start spewing fluid on the track, if that was the case i wouldnt go.
I just recently replaced the right rear shock so and I can't be bothered to fix this before heading to the track so i was just asking if it's critical that I fix it

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

Did a whole season (13 track days) with blown shocks. The fronts were leaking ever so slightly at first, towards the end of the year the fronts were gone (empty), and rears already leaking. Its just not good for lap times, but it wont damage your car.

Originally Posted by RichardJ

It's leaking very slightly so I doubt it'll start spewing fluid on the track, if that was the case i wouldnt go.
I just recently replaced the right rear shock so and I can't be bothered to fix this before heading to the track so i was just asking if it's critical that I fix it

You can track on it but if it malfunctions causing a crash you're liable for any damage and you could get injured or worse. I said no because I wouldn't want to put myself or others at risk.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

You can track on it but if it malfunctions causing a crash you're liable for any damage and you could get injured or worse. I said no because I wouldn't want to put myself or others at risk.

If you crash because of worn down shocks, you would've crashed because of a squirrel crossing the track, or a girl flashing you the boobies from pit lane. Bad shocks dont help lap times, but they dont magically try to kill you. You get more bouncyness and slugish reactions but nothing as drastic as you seem to imply. Have you crashed or seen anyone crash that claimed it was because of worn down shocks?

[stevesnj]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

If you crash because of worn down shocks, you would've crashed because of a squirrel crossing the track, or a girl flashing you the boobies from pit lane. Bad shocks dont help lap times, but they dont magically try to kill you. You get more bouncyness and slugish reactions but nothing as drastic as you seem to imply. Have you crashed or seen anyone crash that claimed it was because of worn down shocks?

Totally missed the point. If he is aware he may have a critical part that could break or fail but yet tracks the car anyway, he is liable, it's not magic, it's reality.

[OND]

I guess we all know the risks that a blown shock poses and it is better to be safe than sorry, but I can't imagine all those 20 year old Miata's I see ripping it up on track have suspensions in better condition than OP's.

And "blown" might be the wrong word here. I sometimes see cars with truly blown shocks on highway and those things don't stop bouncing. Now that's terribly dangerous, but it is also easy to recognize and sounds like OP's shocks are nowhere near that.

[Ultramaroon]

Is it too dumb to be tracking with a leaking shock?

No, it's just dumb enough. Driving on public roads you're maybe going 4/10 at best. Take it out and push it to 9/10 with a leaky shock? Doing this willingly? C'mon man.

You're going to put a shit ton of heat into that shock. If it's just weeping now, it'll spew its guts all over the track. Don't be that guy. Spend your track day money on parts and beer. Make a day of it.