I have to tow my new 7 with a blown engine about 400 miles this weekend, because the tow vehicle doesn't have a very good hitch I'm using a dolly to save weight, I want to pull the driveline to protect the transmission. Is it as simple as a few bolts and it's out? can I do it with the car up on the dolly (or without ramps or a lift?)

 

4 bolts and out comes the driveshaft. Piece of cake. Doesn't matter how you get the car off the ground to do it.

You will have to drop the exhaust first, btw.

 

Just hope your seal isn't shot in the transmission, otherwise you'll have a hell of a impressive mess of tranny fluid

 

Get the rear of the car up on jackstands, that should be enough room for you to work. As mentioned above, be prepared to get a little oil coming out of the tranny where the driveshaft used to be. Either use a latex glove and a rubber band, or something similar so it won't leak gear oil everywhere once you tip the car in the "other" direction on the tow dolley. Should take less than an hour with getting the car up, exhaust off, drive shaft off, and back down again. Good luck.

Steve

P.S. Good for you for being cautious, but unless your transmission is an automatic, this isn't totally necessary. Many people have towed their 7s farther than 400 miles on a Uhaul dolley and with no ill effects. When I towed mine I checked the manual and it said to leave it in neutral and it'll be fine. But better safe than sorry.

 

ouch, I'm actually on a tight time schedule, I might just tow her in neutral and hope for the best. I didn't realize you had to drop the exhaust.

I have to rent a chevy blazer here in denver, go mount a tow ball on it, pick up the trailer, drive 415 miles there, get the car, come back, and get the truck and trailer returned. It's a PITA. THEN I get to rebuild the damn engine, I think by next december I might get to drive the car

 

oops, double post.