Damage from towing
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale California
Damage from towing
So when I bought my 73, I towed it on a dolly, front wheels in the air, rear wheels rolling, manual transmission in neutral, 25 miles at about 45 miles an hour.
I haven't noticed any issues, but someone told me that was bad for the car? I don't understand how. Can anyone offer insight?
I haven't noticed any issues, but someone told me that was bad for the car? I don't understand how. Can anyone offer insight?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
Manuals in neutral can be towed that way. Auto's can be towed that way for a short distance no faster than 35 MPH. You will wipe out the planetary gear in the tranny. Ask me how I know.
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
These types of rumors started when some transmission companys started putting pumps in the trans that also lubed the some of the bearings. Most dosmestic transmissions either auto or manual were not an issue up to the early 80's that I'm aware of and the newer ones may not be an issue today however I can't confirm.
The one case that coems to mind is the Triumph TR7 in preparation for the V8 release. They came up with a very good 5 speed trans however there was a pump in the trans even though it was a manual since the trans used lighter auto type fluid for easier shifting and reduced drag. This pump is on the trans input shaft which meant when it was towed the trans output shaft bearings would not get lube.
Your 77 is not an issue.
Dave
The one case that coems to mind is the Triumph TR7 in preparation for the V8 release. They came up with a very good 5 speed trans however there was a pump in the trans even though it was a manual since the trans used lighter auto type fluid for easier shifting and reduced drag. This pump is on the trans input shaft which meant when it was towed the trans output shaft bearings would not get lube.
Your 77 is not an issue.
Dave
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Originally Posted by Patience
So when I bought my 73, I towed it on a dolly, front wheels in the air, rear wheels rolling, manual transmission in neutral, 25 miles at about 45 miles an hour.
I haven't noticed any issues, but someone told me that was bad for the car? I don't understand how. Can anyone offer insight?
I haven't noticed any issues, but someone told me that was bad for the car? I don't understand how. Can anyone offer insight?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale California
haha...in this case the front wheels were on the dolly, rear wheels still on the ground...but I suspect you mean otherwise. I'll be poppin' wheelies when I finish the restoration, and it certainly won't be towed then.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
Maybe you did not hurt the transmission.
You can hurt a manual trans.by towing it with the driveshaft hooked up. A manual trans. has to have the engine running to spin the counter shaft and that in turn slings grease up into the main shaft.
If you damaged the trans. it would make a gear or gear's stick to the main shaft and when it was started. Either it would try to take off in neutral or it would be very loud from the bearings getting hot or the gears running with out oil on them.
On big trucks they do not pull the axle or driveshaft out for nothing. On one trans. that I know of anything over a couple of blocks will sieze the main shaft gears.
Hopefully no damage occured but as I said before you will hurt a manual trans. by pulling it with the driveshaft in. Unless you have the engine idleing in neutral that way the cluster gear spins and lube's the main gear shaft.
You can hurt a manual trans.by towing it with the driveshaft hooked up. A manual trans. has to have the engine running to spin the counter shaft and that in turn slings grease up into the main shaft.
If you damaged the trans. it would make a gear or gear's stick to the main shaft and when it was started. Either it would try to take off in neutral or it would be very loud from the bearings getting hot or the gears running with out oil on them.
On big trucks they do not pull the axle or driveshaft out for nothing. On one trans. that I know of anything over a couple of blocks will sieze the main shaft gears.
Hopefully no damage occured but as I said before you will hurt a manual trans. by pulling it with the driveshaft in. Unless you have the engine idleing in neutral that way the cluster gear spins and lube's the main gear shaft.
