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Re: towing - dropping drive shaft?

To: Charley & Peggy Robinson <ccrobins@ktc.com>
Subject: Re: towing - dropping drive shaft?
From: Carl Elliott <grunt2@adelphia.net>
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 19:49:24 -0400
Like I said drop the shaft and be saft. 20 minutes work or flamed car,
your choice. Carl E.

Charley & Peggy Robinson wrote:

>  When one buys a motorhome and wants to buy a car or truck to tow with
> it, one queries the manufacturer of the contemplated vehicle as to
> wheather it may be towed  safely for long distances.  One dpesn't trust
> a salesman's word, or that of the shop manager.  One gets it in writing
> from the manufacturer.  The related magazines contain charts showing
> which cars/trucks are suitable as "dinghys."
>
>   If I ran a towing company, my policy would be to drop the shaft, etc,
> on every vehicle towed.  It would eliminte mistakes and possibly save a
> law suit.
>
>   CR
>
> Carl Elliott wrote:
> >
> > When we tow large Vehicles we pull the rear axels, The trannys turn while 
>being
> > towed heating the fluids, With the engine not running the coolers are not
> > effective, You stand the chance of a fire, as the fluid over heats.
> > This is almost always with auto trans Vehicles, But we do it with standard 
>shift
> > also just being safe. Carl E. Undo drive shaft at rear end or remove 
>alltogeather
> > foe safety.
> >
> > Joe Short wrote:
> >
> > > A friend and I had an interesting experience once while towing his old 
>Mustang
> > > with the drive shaft connected. The trans caught fire. I guess that 
>supports
> > > the lubrication theory.
> > >
> > > >===== Original Message From Phil Vanner <pvanner@pclink.com> =====
> > > >Excuse me, but I think I'll drop off the list until the dust settles. 
>I'll
> > > >be back to converse with the survivors in a week or so.
> > > >
> > > >No, seriously George, this was an issue of much contention a few months 
>ago
> > > >on the list. The "drop the driveshaft" theory holds that the input shaft
> > > >must be turning (driven by the engine) for the tranny internals to get
> > > >proper lubrication. if the driveshaft isn't connected the tranny guts 
>don't
> > > >spin and you have no problem.  The "don't waste your time" theory holds
> > > >that no one has ever proven that you need to do this to avoid damage and
> > > >challenged the list to come up with one example of a ruined tranny from
> > > >towing with the driveshaft connected. No one seemed to able to prove
> > > >anything.
> > > >
> > > >You absolutely cannot hurt your car by towing with the driveshaft
> > > >disconnected, as long as you are certain that you have tied it up out of
> > > >the way. That would be *certain.* It doesn't take very long to do, nor is
> > > >it at all difficult.
> > > >
> > > >As for leaving it connected, as they say, no one has ever *proved* it
> > > >ruined a transmission. Although the theory about lacking lubrication 
>makes
> > > >sense.
> > > >
> > > >Then there's always the trailer option.
> > > >
> > > >Phil Vanner
> > > >Tow it? I prefer to drive mine myself.
> > > >
> > > >-----Original Message-----
> > > >From:  Geroge D. Cobb Jr. [SMTP:gcobb@SPC.cc.tx.us]
> > > >Sent:  Thursday, April 15, 1999 2:48 PM
> > > >To:    MG List
> > > >Subject:       towing - dropping drive shaft?
> > > >
> > > >Hey list,
> > > >       I am moving some distance (550 miles) and am going to have to tow 
>two
> > > >MG's.  I am going to move one early (verses have to move 4 cars at a
> > > >time) and was going to use a tow dolly (two front wheels off ground with
> > > >rear wheels on ground).  The rental place told me I needed to drop the
> > > >drive shaft.  My question is WHY?  Why does the drive shaft need to be
> > > >dropped verses putting the thing in neutral?  For give my ignorance if
> > > >this is a dumb question.
> > > >Thanks
> > > >Don
> > > >OfcCobb@AOL.com or gcobb@spc.cc.tx.us
> > > >1980 MGB
> > > >1977 MGB


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