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New Penskes??

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#21
William Keeling

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Unlike the current Spec Miata shock, the Penske (Special emphasis, Penske who is the world leader in suspension technology) will be tamper-proof, and rebuildable through Penske at $100/shock. It is recommended that shocks be inspected by Penske after 100 hours of track use to determine whether a rebuild would be valuable. (Penske covers their a$$ very well).

 

https://www.scca.com...ay-to-nasa-scca

 

With the leaky Penske shocks is the issue scratched shafts from install or Penske parts failure?

mine was a bad install (prior to the install note)


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#22
EricJ

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I got my rebuilt Penskes back today. Really quick service. The shock bodies were the same type. Following the install instructions, I didn't damage the shafts, so $400 + shipping.



#23
Steve Scheifler

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I got my rebuilt Penskes back today. Really quick service. The shock bodies were the same type. Following the install instructions, I didn't damage the shafts, so $400 + shipping.


How many definitely needed repair/rebuild? What response if any do they give when pressed on why practically new shocks are failing?

How common is this, really? We didn’t buy hundreds of the Bilsteins like big shops do but we bought quite a few sets and never had a single one leak or outright fail, and the sets I’ve tested after multiple seasons were always still in good shape.

Jim and Ralph, what percentage of Bilsteins would you estimate failed without obvious damage from impact or curbs?
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#24
Jim Drago

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How many definitely needed repair/rebuild? What response if any do they give when pressed on why practically new shocks are failing?

How common is this, really? We didn’t buy hundreds of the s like big shops do but we bought quite a few sets and never had a single one leak or outright fail, and the sets I’ve tested after multiple seasons were always still in good shape.

Jim and Ralph, what percentage of Bilsteins would you estimate failed without obvious damage from impact or curbs?

 

The rear Penske shocks leaking I would say is common.  best guess 10-20 %? 

On Billsteins... not sure I ever really saw one fail?  I have changed thinking they were bad, but not real proof. I would say less than 3%


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#25
Steve Scheifler

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If that can be verified as even close then it’s time to get more vocal. I get that race parts don’t have a warranty but that kind of early failure rate is absolutely unacceptable, particularly in a no-choice spec situation.
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#26
Bench Racer

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The rear Penske shocks leaking I would say is common.  best guess 10-20 %? 

If this leaking is not from poor installation, should we expect some action by "Penske, The World Leader in Suspension Technology"? If the shocks were on our street vehicle, we'd expect a non leaky shock. I just read Steve's comment and totally agree and will say Penske owes the Spec Miata vehicle owners. Otherwise all Penske sold the Spec Miata vehicle owners is a very short life perishable part.

 

The question becomes, why the rear leak and not the fronts. Could it be the rear is hammering on what Penske calls their bump stop constantly causing the leak and the front is not constantly on their bump stop? I do not have the Penske shocks and will not buy them because for me it's a waste of money.


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#27
FTodaro

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We know we like to run these things as low as we can get away with. For awhile we were deforming that upper metal washer/spacer I wonder if hammering the bump stop on the rear is cause for some leaking?


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#28
EricJ

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I had a little leakage at the tops of the rears. I didn't notice any operational issues. I do go over curbs and too frequently off track. I'd rather get it taken care of during the off season before it becomes an issue. IIRC from the initial presentations, a yearly rebuild might be expected.



#29
Bench Racer

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IIRC from the initial presentations, a yearly rebuild might be expected.

Penske recommended send in for CHECK after 100 hours of track time.


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#30
splinter

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Thanks to Mr. Drago for slipping me into this joint. 

Our local Öhlins guy was kind enough to dyno some bnib Penskes for us.

 

hXAYkCh.jpg?1

 

eB0F9uY.jpg?1


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#31
Alberto

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Thanks for the graph.

I'm guessing since there are 2 plots/lines per sheet that all 4 shocks were tested and each line represents one shock?


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#32
splinter

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Thanks for the graph.

I'm guessing since there are 2 plots/lines per sheet that all 4 shocks were tested and each line represents one shock?

One shock per sheet

 

up and down

 

the 'superimposed' overlapping lines are hysteresis lag, whoops.  :)

Penske is shipping us a dyno so send your junk for testing!

 

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#33
splinter

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I thought rebuild price was supposed to be inexpensive like 100 bucks or something? Does anyone remember the quote?  Lots of rears are leaking and need to be rebuilt

Hi Jim,

 

Any leaking, defective, questionable or junky Penske hardware get it back to us at Penske HQ pronto for examination, eh?
ATTN: Aaron Lambert, GM.   He's asked me to try to keep you guys happy lol.
Decent dampers for the dough no doubt but thev've a harsh environment and are subject to wear of course.

 

Hey but we've Team Penske swag for your sis in LN!

 

-John Goodlad

Dana Point

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#34
Steve Scheifler

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Hi Jim,

Any leaking, defective, questionable or junky Penske hardware get it back to us at Penske HQ pronto for examination, eh?
ATTN: Aaron Lambert, GM. He's asked me to try to keep you guys happy lol.
Decent dampers for the dough no doubt but thev've a harsh environment and are subject to wear of course.

Hey but we've Team Penske swag for your sis in LN!

-John Goodlad
Dana Point
1(949) 230-0682



Come now, harsh environment and wear??? Compared to what, museum pieces?
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#35
splinter

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Come now, harsh environment and wear??? Compared to what, museum pieces?

 

Sheesh.  With respect to less harsh (e.g.’ non-racing/on highway operation and applications) was a presumption.

 

We’ve bnib replacements available gratis for failed forensic examinations.  In my shop and on my dyno.
SM being a relatively popular classification these failures are suboptimal and addressable. 

We're factory authorized sales and service with trackside support.

 

Aaron Lambert and I discussed these exact issues this morning.
We love the SM gang. 
When you participate in Production and modified classifications we'd like to be your shock guys. 

Note ‘fitness of mechantability’ is typically expressly excluded in parts such as these.
I’ll own that. All in good standing here are invited to send us your junk.

 

 

-John Goodlad

 

Pacific RaceTech Engineering

25152 Danapepper

Dana Point, CA 92629

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#36
Ernie Cole

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Any idea when the new shock is coming?

 

In all of my internet searching, this thread is the only mention of an update I can find.

 

Penske website still has a picture of the current shock:

 

https://www.penskesh...non-adjustable/

 

Also-noticed last weekend that one of my rear penskes is leaking. Thats after probalby half a dozen races each at Road Atlanta, Roebling Road, and Atlanta Motorsports Park.



#37
Alberto

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It's available already.  Mazda Motorsports and Advanced both have the new shock with the integrated, fine threaded adjusters built into the shock body.


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#38
Ernie Cole

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Thanks, reached out to Advanced and they do have them, just not on the website yet.  I hate navigating the Mazda Motorsports website.






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