when using a tow dolly do you

[TEAMJACOB]

If using a tow dolly just don't try to back up. If towing backwards then use rope to secure the steering wheel so the car doesn't wander all over the road.
A drive shaft is not all that hard to disconnect. You will want to drain the trans fluid/gear oil before doing so.

Yeah my concern was running into a stripped bolt or something

When I towed my truck out to San Diego, I pulled the drive shaft. It didn't set well with me that wheels that turn the vehicle are out back. First is the issue with them not being locked 100% straight, causing unecessary tire wear. There is also the, although slight, possibility of a tie rod breaking or some other steering geometry coming out of whack, which would be a BIG issue at highway speeds.

If you're just going across town, you can probably get away with just putting it in neutral with the rear on the ground, but the safest bet is to pull the drive shaft, especially if you're going any distance on the highway.

Going to austin so I guess the drive shaft has to come out

Return the tow dolly in for a trailer if it's a rental. Problem solved.

That's why this is last minute. I rented a trailer and found out my tow capacity wasn't enough to handle it and I don't want to buy/install another hitch

Oh, and FWIW, the hardest part about pulling the drive shaft is getting the car in the air, it's not difficult. Just lift the front high enough to reach both back and front, so that the back wheels keep the rear end from rotating. Start at the front, or your left with the shaft only connected to the tranny for the front bolts, and engine compression most likely won't be enough to keep the shaft from rotating. Use 12 point sockets, or you may strip a few, a breaker bar, and 8 bolts later it's out.

Cool thanks. I knew it wasn't a big job just didn't want to find a siezed bolt or anything

[krazy kris]

It is real wheel drive .This is what I want to do. I rented the dolly from uhaul and they strongly adviced against this

sounds fake

[TEAMJACOB]

WTF ^ 4 bolts at the diff and it slips out of the trans unless it has a carrier bearing . Either way leave the drive shaft in to save the fluid and just strap up the end at the rear diff .

This is what I was thinking as far as strapping it up. Thanks for mentioning this

[TEAMJACOB]

sounds fake

You mean slow. And its both. Lol ninja edit

[Big A]

don't you mean 6-point?

6-point tried to strip them, mine are 12-point bolts.

WTF ^ 4 bolts at the diff and it slips out of the trans unless it has a carrier bearing . Either way leave the drive shaft in to save the fluid and just strap up the end at the rear diff .

Dunno what I was thinking, you're right, just 4 bolts at the back. I dunno what you mean by saving fluid though, perhaps every trans is different, but nothing came out of mine.

Yeah my concern was running into a stripped bolt or something

Exactly why I had to use a 12-point socket. It wouldn't hurt to let some penetrating oil soak in before trying to unbolt them.

That's why this is last minute. I rented a trailer and found out my tow capacity wasn't enough to handle it and I don't want to buy/install another hitch

The different sized balls are like $20, and simply bolt onto the hitch, unless you have some sort of funky welded set up.

This is what I was thinking as far as strapping it up. Thanks for mentioning this

He was just point out that I was mistaken about there being bolts up there, I didn't run into any problem with it wanting to come out until I was ready for it to. No need to strap, just be sure that you have a hand up there before you start to slide the shaft back.

[Reefer Rae]

No I was talking about leaving the drive shaft in the trans ( some will leak when removed and most will certainly leak while being towed ) as far as the drive shaft goes leave it in the trans and use a strap to hold it up and keep it from sliding out of the trans while being towed . If it's a 12 pt 12mm bolt you most certainly have a ford and 12 pt swivel socket is required ,otherwise you don't get on the bolt straight on and it will strip out . If you are in a pinch a box wrench will get it out with out damaging the head . It sucks doing it with a wrench and fords loctite is tough as hell.

[TEAMJACOB]

6-point tried to strip them, mine are 12-point bolts.




Dunno what I was thinking, you're right, just 4 bolts at the back. I dunno what you mean by saving fluid though, perhaps every trans is different, but nothing came out of mine.




Exactly why I had to use a 12-point socket. It wouldn't hurt to let some penetrating oil soak in before trying to unbolt them.




The different sized balls are like $20, and simply bolt onto the hitch, unless you have some sort of funky welded set up.




He was just point out that I was mistaken about there being bolts up there, I didn't run into any problem with it wanting to come out until I was ready for it to. No need to strap, just be sure that you have a hand up there before you start to slide the shaft back.

No I was talking about leaving the drive shaft in the trans ( some will leak when removed and most will certainly leak while being towed ) as far as the drive shaft goes leave it in the trans and use a strap to hold it up and keep it from sliding out of the trans while being towed . If it's a 12 pt 12mm bolt you most certainly have a ford and 12 pt swivel socket is required ,otherwise you don't get on the bolt straight on and it will strip out . If you are in a pinch a box wrench will get it out with out damaging the head . It sucks doing it with a wrench and fords loctite is tough as hell.

Good call on the 12 point. My bolts were 12 as well. Fockers were tight aand impact wasn't getting it done so I had to jack the rear so I had room to use my breaker bar

[lowthreeohz]

don't you mean 6-point?

my coupe was 12pt 12mm bolts.

[mustangguy289]

How much does it cost to rent a car dolly?

[ELVIS]

please post up when and where you are doing this so i make sure i am not on the road.

god bless.

[The King]

please post up when and where you are doing this so i make sure i am not on the road.

god bless.

Exactly, I-35 already has too many vehicles on it without having some jackass that hasn't a clue about towing being added to the mix.

[Mike]

please post up when and where you are doing this so i make sure i am not on the road.

god bless.

I'm pretty sure it's already been done.

[TEAMJACOB]

please post up when and where you are doing this so i make sure i am not on the road.

god bless.

Was done saturday

[4bangen]

I wouldn't want to be behind a car in tow with the drive shaft strapped in, when it hits a pot whole or tire tread and comes loose!

[TEAMJACOB]

Exactly, I-35 already has too many vehicles on it without having some jackass that hasn't a clue about towing being added to the mix.

You are a troll. Do you even start threads or are ou here only to shock us with your wisdom on any and all matters?