[sgreer78]

I was the novice.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by sgreer78

I was the novice.

I just spit out coffee on my keyboard! Actually I did ride with sgreer78 right after my incident, as he cranked out 1:10s with my extra 250lbs in the right seat. But that's not scary at all. Riding with a novice has the potential to be terrifying - luckily the one I rode with did fine.

[clyde]

Originally Posted by sgreer78

I was the novice.

[N Camarolina]

I'll add my experience based on 34 track days in my 1LE and climbing.

I use an inch torque wrench for the bleeders and I tighten to spec every time. No problems to speak of ever, and brakes get plenty hot. I'd assume considerably hotter than autocross given the speed being scrubbed after long straights (VIR, CMP, etc).

It sounds like you were not previously using a torque wrench, which is likely the issue for your problem. The spec torque does feel like it's excessive when you're applying it. So does the one for the bridge pin.

One other point I'll add here that was alluded to by another poster. Torque wrenches are not designed (capable?) to achieve correct torque for values that are the lowest and highest 10% of their specified range. So if your using a 3/8" torque wrench that claims a min/max range of 10-100 ft lbs, you won't get correct torque for desired values near 10 ft lbs (or below) nor for values 90 and above. Instead you need a different wrench (1/4 drive, inch/lb for low numbers; 1/2" drive for values of 90+ ft lbs.

[Msquared]

Agreed on the torque wrench: I have a 3/8"-drive wrench that is calibrated in in/lbs (or N/m to the tenth). It maxes out at something like 35-40 N/m, so it's perfect for this job.

[ariZona28]

To the OP and my other track enthusiasts I highly recommend the incorporation of some form of pre-race inspection. Refered to as a "Life and Death" or "Nut and Bolt" check you basically have the car up on jacks with wheels off and you check all visible fasteners with the appropriate wrench or socket. I have a 2 page list with components and wrench sizes to expedite the process. Takes about 45 min or so on my C5Z but it is time well spent.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

To the OP and my other track enthusiasts I highly recommend the incorporation of some form of pre-race inspection. Refered to as a "Life and Death" or "Nut and Bolt" check you basically have the car up on jacks with wheels off and you check all visible fasteners with the appropriate wrench or socket. I have a 2 page list with components and wrench sizes to expedite the process. Takes about 45 min or so on my C5Z but it is time well spent.

I've been doing that with the bridge bolts in the calipers, sway bar end links, and a few other things already. It's easy because I swap pads for track events anyway, so I'm already in there. I just never thought to add bleeders to the list, but that will definitely change after last Tuesday!

[mariooch97]

The fact that both bleders where loose on the same corner indicate to me that you had a senior moment or got distracted at the wrong time. I've been TT and sprint racing for 25yrs and instructing about 19, that and way more can happen in a moment of inattentivenes , happens to the best of us!

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by mariooch97

The fact that both bleders where loose on the same corner indicate to me that you had a senior moment or got distracted at the wrong time. I've been TT and sprint racing for 25yrs and instructing about 19, that and way more can happen in a moment of inattentivenes , happens to the best of us!

I know me well, and I would never rule that out! Still, it's just crazy that both bleeders would have not leaked for a couple months and multiple other motorsports events, and then suddenly both of them opened up at the exact same corner one day. I just want to make sure there is no other factor at play that I also need to avoid (in addition to having a more thorough bleeder-torquing procedure).