BrooklynBay: Some questions for you.

[thunderhorse]

Brooklynbay:
Some another questions for you. I know that to flat tow an explorer 4x4 I need to disconnect the rear drive shaft. Do I also have to do the front shaft? or Can I pull the shift motor and put the truck in neutral and leave the drive shafts on. This is a 2001 sport trac.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Sorry for the delay. This was the first time that I saw this thread until now. I've never heard of anybody disconnecting a driveshaft to tow a vehicle. Check the towing section. There should be more information in there.

 

[gijoecam]

The 13-54's oil pump in your '01 Trac is driven by the primary shaft. Without that shaft turning, you must remove the rear driveshaft to flat tow it. Additionally, the trans would have the same issue, so removing the rear is a must.

As for the front, it's not clear from the diagrams if it would be necessary or not. It's not clear if the transfer case would get enough lube to the frount output, chain, and hub assembly without the pump running. Since the drive sprocket and its associated components would normally all be moving together, I don't think they're designed to experience sustained differences in front and rear output speeds without being damaged. With the manual 13-54 from earlier trucks, the neutral position allows both the front and rear outputs to turn, the oil to pump, and everything runs the same speed. Without that oil flow, I'd be leery...

So, if it was mine, I'd drop the front shaft too. You can disconnect them at the axle and simply tie them up out of the way. Just be sure to mark the flanges before disassembling, and securely chock the truck and/or set the parking brake so it can't roll. Just be sure to release the brakes before leaving.

-Joe

 

[BrooklynBay]

What will keep the fluid from leaking out if you remove the driveshafts? They make stop off plugs to block off the openings while it's being serviced, but they won't stay in place during a tow. Here's an example of a stop off plug: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98060

 

[cobra46]

Leave them in.

I have left them in the gear box and tied off the other end to the frame or exhaust or some other stationary part that doesn't move with the suspension.
It's a little trouble but saves a lot of trouble and expense and keeps the fluid in the gearbox. I've flat towed mine over thirty miles with no problem. If I were to tow mine all over the country I would invest in a driveshaft dis-connect.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto... Don't pull the shaft out of the transfer case, just securely tie it up and out of the way, possibly even putting some forward pressure on it to be sure it doesn't slip back out of the transfer case and fall out on the road somewhere. That would make for a miserable trip!!