Towing an Explorer

[jryant]

Hi I have a '99 Sport 2WD that I must transport 750 miles on a tow dolly real soon. I called my local ford dealer to find out what I need to do. 1 person told me to pulll the drive shaft " to protect the tranny" and other person said pull it backwards with only the front wheels on the ground. Is it safe to pull it backwards? I'm just trying to find out what I need to do and if I do need to pull the drive shaft then how is that done. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Hartman]

If its a 2WD I don't see why you couldn't just tow it frontward in neutral. Then again I don't have a lot of experience in towing.

 

[gijoecam]

If it is a manual, tow it in neutral and it'll be fine. The trans is splash-lubed and it will be fine.

If it's an automatic, the transmission must be disconnected from the driveline because the rear bearings in the transmission are lubed from the transmission fluid pump which is a part of the input shaft. Without lube, you will cook the bearings in the tranny very quickly. Towing it with the rear wheels on the dolly will work, but I don't like doing that. Pulling the rear driveshaft is definately warranted in this case.

Another option would be to start the engine, put it in neutral, and let it idle for the duration of the trip. It won't use much gas and will keep the bearings lubed. If it's a one-time deal, then I might try it.... just make sure the engine doesn't stall out on it part-way through the trip!

-Joe

 

[Ray Lobato]

Another option would be to start the engine, put it in neutral, and let it idle for the duration of the trip. It won't use much gas and will keep the bearings lubed. If it's a one-time deal, then I might try it.... just make sure the engine doesn't stall out on it part-way through the trip!

-Joe

Do not do this. You are asking for trouble. :thumbdwn: :thumbdwn: :thumbdwn:
Take the driveshaft off. It's not that hard to do. Remember to mark how you took it off and put it back the same way.

 

[gijoecam]

Do not do this. You are asking for trouble. :thumbdwn: :thumbdwn: :thumbdwn:
Take the driveshaft off. It's not that hard to do. Remember to mark how you took it off and put it back the same way.

Why, exactly, would that be trouble? How would that be any different than driving it? As long as the engine is running, the bearings are lubed and nothing gets hurt.

-Joe

 

[aldive]

Another option, and the best in my opinion, is to tow it on a flatbed trailer.

Good luck .........

 

[gijoecam]

Indeed, if the two vehicle is capable of handling a 1000+ Lb trailer with a 4500-5000 lb truck on it, then by all means a flat-bed is the way to go. The problem would be in finding a flat-bed that isn't going to be too much tongue weight for the tow vehicle.

-Joe

 

[jryant]

thanks for your reply thus far

Ok so it looks like I have to pull the drive shaft. Someone told me that after disconectining it from the rear axle that I had to tie it up, making sure to not to pull the drive shaft out of the tranny and that if I did I would loose all my transmition fluid. whats th deal there?

 

[gijoecam]

That's true... if you pull the tailshaft out of the trans, then raise the front end, it's likely that the trans fluid will come dumping out. If you use some bungee cords to hold the driveshaft forward to prevent it from sliding back and out of the trans, it should be fine.

Also, be sure to mark the position of the driveshaft on the pinion flange to make sure the assembly goes back together in the correct position.

-Joe