Towing a car with a tow dolly?

(2010-05-30 12:59:54)

1. Stan Says: im going to be towing an 84trans am and ppl tell me i need to tak off the drive line but cant ijust put it in nuetral?

and do i lock orunlock the steering wheel?

2. 4sakenMechanic Says: If you have a manual transmission, you certainly can. If its an automatic however, putting it in neutral only allows the wheels to spin freely, which also allows the gear train inside the transmission to move, but without having the transmission pump operating, like while its running, the parts will NOT get the proper lubrication and will destroy the transmission. I work at AAMCO transmission, and have seen countless cars come in for this. I even had a guy tow a new truck off the lot 200 miles to his house, only to find that he had to buy a new transmission, for this exact reason. From one friend to another.. DO NOT DO THIS. Take the extra 20 minutes and unbolt the driveshaft from the rear axle and tie it off underneath somewhere. It will save you a migraine and a bunch of money!

3. Otto Says: If it is a manual transmission, you can put it in neutral. If it has an automatic, you need to pull the drive line or tow it on a flatbed trailer with all wheels off the ground. Do not try and 'tie it off" under the car. You could lose it while being towed. You need to make sure when you pull the slip shaft out of the back end of the transmission to have a catch bucket for the fluid that will pour out.