Rear Driveshaft - Pull it or just disconnect one end?

[JamminG4Jim]

I am flat towing my X to a local run tomorrow night and I need all your inputs!!!

The Owners manual says to disconnect the driveshaft from the rear diff and tie it up. Will this really work, or should I disconnect the front end also and remove the whole thing?

Please respond soon, as I have to decide what to do by tomorrow!

Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

[Jefe]

only the Diff side will turn while towing (assuming its in 2wd) so you should be fine just undoing the diff side. However its not like its that much more work to undo the other side while you're at it (or maybe it will be if its never been done before).

 

[leenjen]

like he said, only the part going to the differential needs to be disconnected. but if it was me, i would take the whole thing off.

 

[JoshC]

My luck if i tied it up then the strap or what ever i used would break and then i wouldn't be able to drive it at all because there was no drive shaft!!

Happy trails!!

 

[Crankcase]

Originally posted by Jot017
My luck if i tied it up then the strap or what ever i used would break and then i wouldn't be able to drive it at all because there was no drive shaft!!

Happy trails!!

I remember reading in the Explorer guide, that the vehicle can be driven with no rear driveshaft, using just the front wheels to power it. But it was for limited use, like at a campsite.

 

[JamminG4Jim]

With a little help from a friend (Thanks, Ryan1!!!) we got the driveshaft removed. The guys who put the driveshaft on (after retubing it 5" longer) must have had their pet gorilla tighten the bolts! The Haynes manual says 8-16ft lbs, and I'd bet these we at 90!!!!!! They are single Cardan joints, jeez!!!!!!

Anyway, got some pics that I'll post when I get back! Ryan caught me straining trying to get the bolts loose! I didn't think that Lock-tite was necessary on driveshaft bolts.....oh well.....

thanks for all the replies!!!

Jim