bikerbilly18

i need to tow mu vette about 1000 miles and sadly my truck isn't rated to pull the vet and a uhaul flatbed. so im stuck using a tow dolly.
everyone says to remove the drive shaft to save the auto transmission.
due to custom welded exhaust i cant fully remove my drive shaft. So would it be ok to just remove the 1/2 shafts on each side? or will this harm the bearings or suspension?

cobrachuck

You should be just fine, just take your time & be smart about breaking. Suspension & bearings will handle the trip. The fear is the transmission jumping into gear so half shafts removed is the smart thing to do.
Secure the front on the dolly then use floor jack to remove the shafts.
​​​​​​​good luck

'75

DO NOT REMOVE THE 1/2 SHAFTS FOR TOWING. The 1/2 shafts ate part of the rear suspension, the rear wheels will flop in at the top with them removed.

jim2527

+1 to that. Do not remove half shafts.

ddawson

Without them you have nothing to keep the suspension in place. With tires on the ground the half shaft s transfer the load to the rear differential.

CA_WxMan

I would not tow it without the half shafts.

On the C3, the half shaft functions as one of the links for the suspension. If you remove it, then you'll put a twisting load on the trailing arm bushing as the top of the tire tries to camber inward.

Over 1000 miles, I'm there will be damage. It may be from the tire rubbing the inner fender/body, or it could just be the damage to the trailing arm and/or bushing. Either way, you'll be better off finding a way to pull the driveshaft and leave the half shafts in place.

fishslayer143

do not remove half shafts, they are part of the alignment of trailing arms.. if you cannot remove Driveshaft completely , unbolt the U-Joint on Differential and slide driveshaft forward enough to clear and secure in place .. do not tow an auto trans 1000 miles with shaft turning

jimvette999

I would remove the chin spoiler and tow it backwards, in neutral, steering wheel locked and strapped. Neutral so you don't torque the mounts as it bobs up and down. Rear wheels need to be able to rotate some. Not only would I, I did, 1200 miles. I didn't remove chin spoiler but you may want to if yours is close to the ground. Avoid driveways. Check the straps holding the rear wheels every hundred or so.

Google image...not my car.

drwet

The guy I bought my car from many years ago towed it about 1000 miles like that because one of the rear wheel bearings was toast when I bought it. Worked great. And I'll add my voice to the guys telling you not to remove the half shafts. If you try that, it won't be pretty.

bikerbilly18

thanks for the replies, i decided to cut a section of custom exhaust x pipe and mend it later.
Next question any tips on wiring brake lights as i will be doing alot of driving at night? will be towing with car facing forward as custom front bumper air dam is molded into main bumper cover. anything else i should know?

CA_WxMan

The tow dolly should have lights in the fenders. This will use up the light plug from your truck, unless you make some kind of splitter.
I think that if it were me, I'd probably put a couple of battery powered red LED lights on the back corners of the car, just for visibility.
Something like the NiteIze "SpotLit" LED carabiner light might work. It's just a matter of figuring out how to attach it.
Link

sparky77

You can go to any auto parts store and get a set of lights that sit on the back of you're car for towing they plug into you're trailer plug ,I keep a set in the garage just for that reason.They come with a 15 foot cord.

leadfoot4

One cautionary comment about them, is that they usually attach to the car being towed with magnets. They won't "stick" to a Corvette.

Cool95vette

What are you pulling it with? Before I had my own trailer, U-Haul wouldn't rent me a trailer for my Dodge Ram 1500 to pull my Vette. They said it wasn't rated for that. Which isn't true. It's rated for more. I just told them I was towing a Chevy Cobalt. Problem solved.