My understanding is that in our brit cars the lay shaft is not lubricated
when the car is towed. the lubrication to this shaft is usually caused by
the main gears carrying it up to the lay shaft. when the car is towed with
the driveshaft in place the lay shaft turns but the bearings are not
lubricated.
My 2 cents
-----Original Message-----
From: Ray McCrary <spook01@mindspring.com>
To: RossOvercash <jroverca@tiac.net>; Scott Wagner <c332959@h281.mdc.com>;
mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, January 09, 1998 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: Long distance towing
>At 09:17 PM 1/7/98 -0500, RossOvercash wrote:
>>Scott to tow your MG you must either raise the rear wheels off the ground
>>and secure the steering wheel or remove the drive shaft from the flange at
>>the differential (four bolts) and tie it up. This will prevent the trany
>>from excessive wear. I have towed my MG using a tow dolly on two
occasions.
>>Both trips were in excess of 1200 miles, with no ill effects.
>>
>>
>
>Guys,
>I have, over the years, flat towed cars from coast to coast; I think that a
>little caution/reality check is in order.
>You really don't have to pull the driveshaft, or jack up the front/rear of
>the car to tow it. Take it out of gear, make sure the handbrake is off,
>and away you go. If you are towing a car with a manual trans, the wear is
>the same as if you were driving your car. With a simple A frame tow bar,
>your car will follow you wherever you go (unlike many airline wives).
>The longest flat tow that I have made was just under 2000 miles, when I was
>forced to flat tow due to an accident with my trailer.
>Now for the caution: Be sure that the vehicle towed has lights that work
>in conjunction with the tow vehicle, and make sure that the tow vehicle has
>enough power AND brakes strong enough to do the job. Make sure that the
>tow bar is SECURELY fixed to the towed vehicle (there is nothing quite as
>surprising as being passed by your own car without anyone at the wheel).
>Use safety chains: They are cheap insurance!
>If the car that you are towing is a piece of c..... that is to say,
>mechanically challenged, rent a trailer; this will prevent tragi-comic
>scenes along the highway.
>
>Regards,
>Ray
>
>PS...One last thing.....again, make sure that the handbrake is
>OFF....that's a whole 'nother story.
>
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