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Re: Towing

To: Dan DiBiase <d_dibiase@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Towing
From: Charles & Peggy Robinson <ccrobins@ktc.com>
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 13:05:47 -0500
  YIPPEE!!  The driveshaft controversy again!!!!!

   I towed my '69 B to New England and back with all 4 wheels on the 
ground and the driveshaft connected.  That transmission was still fine 
when I swapped it for an OD tranny a year later.  There is no 
prohibition in the MGB owner's manual against towing with the driveshaft 
connected, unless you have an automatic transmission.

   That business about there not being lubrication inside the 
transmission unless the engine is running is another old wive's tale 
that "everybody knows" but just isn't true.

   When this controversy was raging on the list a couple of years ago, 
there was not one first-person report of anyone damaging an MGB 
transmission by towing the car with the driveshaft connected.  OTOH, 
there were plenty of reports from people who, like me, had towed their 
MGBs varying distances with the driveshaft connected and whose cars had 
suffered no ill effects therefrom.  I tend to place a lot more stock in 
the first hand experience of people who have actually done the thing in 
question than in those who are reporting something they heard.

   Cheers,

    CR



Dan DiBiase wrote:
> Larry, the problem involves the driveshaft turning the transmission shaft but 
>without lubrication - potential for damage to the transmission due to the lack 
>of lubrication.
>  
> 
> 
> Larry Daniels <ladaniels@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Does anybody know of any reason why an MGB should not be towed using a towing
> dolly that lifts the front wheels off the ground, but leaves the rear wheels
> on the ground? I've heard over the years that the drive shaft should be
> disconnected when towing long distances - but never why. I will be towing a
> 73 MGB about 150 miles at 60-65 mph. Should I be OK or should I disconnect
> the driveshaft? Would lower speeds make a difference? TIA for wisdom
> dispensed.
> 
> Larry Daniels





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