Magnetic Shock fluid color? Is it leaking?

[TDC]

While prepping for my next track day I found some oil being flung around my right rear wheel. Possibly it is from the differential vent tube or maybe a leaking magnetic shock. I know for sure it is NOT a cracked CV boot after inspecting both inside and outside boot.

Question, if my right rear magnetic shock is leaking:
- what color would the oil/ferromagnetic fluid be?
- would my car’s electronics throw a fault?
- does the magnetic shock fluid have a particular smell?

As best I could tell the fluid is an amber color and I just drained the differential and it is a similar color so maybe it is the vent tube after all. Really difficult to pin point it because my wheel has thrown it all over the right rear suspension and wheel well. Noticed it after a two day HPDE event at Watkins Glen.

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[TDC]

Double checked the fluid capacity of the diff and it looks like I overfilled it by about 1/3 liter so I believe it is the diff vent after all. Drained and replaced with new fluid/friction modifier (proper amount this time ) and I’ll keep an eye on it.

 

[1 old racer]

If the magnetic shock on the Mustang are the same design and construction as the ones I had on my CTS-V, they weep. this is normal. if the shock is wet all the way down then is is a leak. in the 98,000+/- miles I had my V I had to replace all 4 shocks twice. very pricy. Just checked on Rockauto's site and they have them for only just under $400 each. Looks like the price went down. my last set for my v were over $650 each.

 

[GoesTo11]

Given how awful that friction modifier smells I would think you might be able to tell by smell as much as color. I’ve been using 56 oz (including modifier) based on a previous post and that seems to be spot on without cycling the pump to purge the diff cooler.

 

[TDC]

^^^ I thought the smell of the friction modifier would have been the clear giveaway given how intense it is but I noticed when replacing the fluid that the smell of used fluid is much less potent. I compared it the portion of the wheel well liner that was soaked and it smells similar so I believe the vent and overfill was the cause.

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