towing my FD, rear wheels on the ground
 

I need to tow my FD about a mile and a half to the storage bin where the shell will sit while I get the motor built. As of right now, the entire drive train is still in tact, and I don't really have the time or space where it is to remove the drive shaft and drain the tranny.

So, will towing it such a short distance hurt the tranny at all? what are the risks involved? it's only about a mile and a half to the bin, all one road, but I don't want to sieze the tranny for obvious reasons. I'm moving soon, that's why it has to be towed away immediately, and I'd rather not go through the hassle of paying a tow truck and waiting for it to tow it such a short distance.

Also, I have no front brake pads on the car as it sits, will I be okay using the ebrake to stop it or will I gouge the rotors? I plan on getting big brakes anyway, but probably not for another year or two, so I'd like my rotors to not get scarred.

with rear wheel drive car I think it is best if the driveshaft get disconnected.

Rent an U Haul car transport.

Why can't you tow it with the front wheels on the ground?

EDIT -- careful with the Uhaul trailers if your car is very low. Don't ask how I know.

As long as it's not a auto, you can tow in for as long as you like. The e-brake only works the rear brakes.

tphan, I already explained why I can't disconnect the driveshaft

rynberg, I'll be towning it with all 4 wheels on the ground. the tow car is a turbo volvo wagon, it won't be able to tow a trailer large enough to hold the FD. My car is stock ride height right now, but with a c-west front end, so it's lower than stock in the front.

Gadd, I've read and heard from many sources that if your manual shift car isn't in gear, the tranny oil won't be splashed on to the gears, causing it to sieze. And thanks for the tip on the e-brake, that will be helpful.

The situation you've desribed happens only on long road trips. A mile and a half trip down the road won't hurt anything.

:icon_tup: that's what I was hoping to hear. If anyone has anything to say that differs from this, please let me know ASAP, because I plan on doing this tomorrow night.

yea that isnt very far at all,you'll be fine

Just make sure the driver of the Volvo understands that you'll have limited braking with the hand-brake and you should be OK. Good luck with the weather tomorrow night!

Yeah, you'll be just fine. A manual tranny car can be towed for a VERY long distance with the rear wheels down. It's no different from putting the car in neutral and coasting, which millions of people do every day with manual transmission cars.

Make sure you attach the tow strap to a proper tow point - the tow hooks in the front of the car are the correct place. Radiator crossmember or the like won't work - you'll buckle or rip it off VERY easily.

Tow the car at night, and go nice and slow, and just use the emergency brakes. You should be just fine.

Dale

oh he understands. :lol: I gave him my front brakes, because my FD doesn't run and his front pads were worn out.

Ya, hopefully it won't be too bad, tonight might have been the night to do it, if I'd started this thread sooner.

Dale, please point out in this picture where I should attach the tow cables

(note: don't be concened about the iffy fitment or bent fender, they are on the to-do list once my FD gets settled in at her new home and the motor's out.)

the tow hooks are down by the oil coolers on either side of the bumper, be careful to route the tow strap so it won't put any stress on the bumper and crack it. If you just look under the car in the front you'll see them, they are mounted straight to the frame.

Put it in neutral and tow it as far as you want, as long as it's manual.

Rotors should be fine if you use the e-brake.

I know its from the dead, but how do you do this?

well my guess would be lock the steering wheel in place, and put the car on the 2 wheel trailer backwards so that the only thing trailing on the ground is the front wheels, and with the steering wheel locked in the center position you dont have to worry about the wheels turning on you while your pulling it..
----- EDIT ----- Ohh Ohh, or if you have an annoying kid put him in the car and tell him to hold the wheel straight "or else"..i like that idea..

pay the tow bill

its not worth the risk.

A tow from Monterey CA to San Angelo TX may be a bit on the expensive side.. haha

it seems the car might be too low in the front to put it on a car hauler backwards. If its a manual its fine to tow with the driveshaft in place as far as you need to go. With automatics they say it can mess up the tranny, but i dont know how? I try to make a habit of disconnecting the driveshaft on autos, though i will admit i havent always done this, and no apparent harm was done. My friend towed his camaro 30 miles without disconnecting the DS (against my advice) and nothing happened to it either. *shrug*

You'll be fine Brian. I would pull the bumper off because you may risk cracking it.

Thanks, Ihor. This thread is actually from early last year when I was moving. About a month before you guys came and picked the car up.

Since I was moving, I had to get the car from my driveway to the storage shed.

oh and watch out when you're comin to a stop, make sure the 7 doesnt keep rollin and nudge the volvo in the butt :lol:
whoops, i meant to say that a year ago then :wallbash:
<< should really start lookin at post dates