Removing Driveshaft for Towing?!

M

mapandjlp

New Member

Nov 18, 2008

7

0

0

York, PA

Nov 25, 2008

#1

• Nov 25, 2008

• #1

I know this has probably been covered a million times but I'm a newb so here goes. I'm looking for REAL experience here, who has towed their manual transmission Mustang, rear wheels down? How far and did you have any problems?

I just bought an '86 GT Convertible, 5-speed, that I'll be towing from SC to PA. I don't want to mess with removing the driveshaft and finding a way to plug the output shaft. I'm using a dolly.

Any advice?

M

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

3,501

28

119

Motor City

Nov 25, 2008

#2

• Nov 25, 2008

• #2

EVERY single Mustang that gets towed to our salvage yard has the rear drive shaft off, unless the company used a flat bed truck. And these are junk cars for parts....so if you have a good car to tow home using a dolly, I'd take it off.

 

capriman86

Member

Nov 13, 2005

26

2

9

N.Smithfield, RI

Nov 25, 2008

#3

• Nov 25, 2008

• #3

I towed my capri home on a dolly with the drive shaft in place...no issues here.

66.1 mi – about 1 hour 21 mins

Not saying its what to do, but I did it.

 

T

tiptop

New Member

Apr 6, 2008

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Nov 25, 2008

#4

• Nov 25, 2008

• #4

cant see it being a problem, same thing as driving the car down the road

 

blckstng96

Member

Apr 13, 2004

208

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Nov 26, 2008

#5

• Nov 26, 2008

• #5

towed mine from sc to nj,the only reason they say to remove the driveshaft is bc on auto cars the pump is not working while the trans is turning from the dshaft.i don't see how it would effect a 5spd.

 

bynummustang

Seen my other Jackstand?

Jul 24, 2005

1

2

69

NC State University

Nov 26, 2008

#6

• Nov 26, 2008

• #6

I just put mine in N and put it on a dolley. No problems for me.

 

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Sicarius428

Active Member

Jan 6, 2004

2,085

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Nov 26, 2008

#7

• Nov 26, 2008

• #7

Remove the driveshaft would be my suggestion. Even though its a manual, you are still spinning the output shaft and with the car not being level, the fluid will be sitting at the back rear. Just drain the fluid, to fill just pop the shifter off and fill from the top. Cover the tail end of the trans with a thick bag and rubber band/zip tie it on. Not sure when you changed your trans fluid last but it isn't that expensive and not a bad thing to put in new fluid.
Kevin

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,230

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Massachusetts

Nov 26, 2008

#8

• Nov 26, 2008

• #8

Sicarius428 said:

Remove the driveshaft would be my suggestion. Even though its a manual, you are still spinning the output shaft and with the car not being level, the fluid will be sitting at the back rear. Just drain the fluid, to fill just pop the shifter off and fill from the top. Cover the tail end of the trans with a thick bag and rubber band/zip tie it on. Not sure when you changed your trans fluid last but it isn't that expensive and not a bad thing to put in new fluid.
Kevin

Click to expand...

Bingo

With a manual, you are spining your mainshaft while your countergear remains still. The fluid will pool at the bottom and not get splashed around and you will cook your input shaft to mainshaft roller bearings which are the first to go when starved of fluid. The trans is usually noisy when those go.

 

M

mapandjlp

New Member

Nov 18, 2008

7

0

0

York, PA

Nov 29, 2008

#9

• Nov 29, 2008

• #9

Thanks to everyone for your input. I decided to give it a shot without pulling the driveshaft (planning to rebuild the tranny anyway). After towing from SC to PA, I can report no problems. Trans shifts smooth with no more noise than it had before the trip.

Thanks again!