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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