Drive or tow?
 

I blew out a seal on one of the trike's rear shocks. There is a puddle of oil under the trike. No it's not just marking its territory. I got into it this morning and quickly realized I'm not able to do the replacement myself.

So, the nearest wrench is 15 miles away all on good roads.

If'n I take it very easy is driving a good, bad or very bad idea?

I've driven a very limited amount on a leaking front fork seal on a GSXR (inverted fork). That was idiotic on my part... That said, shocks have a limited amount of oil in them. 300-500ml comes to mind when I replaced my seals... So technically when all the oil drains out, you are g2g on an oil slick risk POV... Replacing or rebuilding the shock?

Replacing. But the bodywork design is such that I can't access the top bolt w/out significant dis-assembly. Not as bad as the clutch on an R bike but bad enough that doing it under a canopy in the driveway just ain't gonna happen.

I don't understand the bolded part.

If there's no oil in the shock. You don't have to worry about an oil film on parts of your brakes or tires... Which is what I would perceive as the main risk of driving on a blown shock.

The shock should collapse if there's no inner springs and you'll have a harsh (or bouncy) ride. Kinda like an old pick up with blown shocks...

Send it!

Got it thanks!

I can't access it. :(

Launch the Alert Trike...15 miles is a lay-up.

I could be wrong:cool:

can of brake cleaner (the red one), maybe two. Drive it around the block a few times. You'll know after that.

Unless you could keep your speed down throughout the 15 miles, you run a risk of wheel oscillation after hitting a bump in the road. Have you ever followed a vehicle and watched their rear wheel bounce rapidly up and down for a few seconds after going over a bump? That is what your wheel would be doing if the oil is lost from that shock. It is bad enough in a car. It might lead to control issues in a trike.
Trailer the thing.

Best
Les

a "shock absorber" mainly dampens oscillation due to the springs. I don't think you'll have a problem driving it to the shop. If it does anything, it'll feel more boat-like than usual. I wouldn't try any canyon carving, but just ordinary driving should be fine. And since it's just one in the rear, you may barely or maybe not even notice. If both rear shocks were dead, you'd know.

Risk management dictates you should tow.

Thanks all!

Sounds like it went hawk tuah on itself. Ah, live dangerously and ride.

LOL! Glad to know that video has made it down under.

I meant ride (send it as is) to the shop.

That video has been viral for a week. I hope she’s making some money off it and I’m surprised nobody has posted about it.

Sorry, back on topic!

I watched it and for some reason got the phrase on the brain. I wish I'd stop thinking "Hawk tuah on that thang." LOL

I think I saw it on UK Daily Mail website.

If it just started leaking I doubt it will be a bouncy ball it should still have much of its dampening ability. Those people you see bouncing down the highway have been driving like that for a long time. Wrap a rag around it if you are worried about the oil squirting.

15 miles isn’t that far if you can take surface streets and during low traffic times. If you have to do freeways, I would think twice and definitely do a test drive first to make sure it handles safely in either case.