Yet another E30 thread (Towing/Towdolly content): Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 21, 2009 6:47 p.m. mel_horn Dork

Two quick questions:

is it really OK to tow an E30 with a dolly and driveshaft connected? (My instincts say yes if trans lube is full) and

Should I not want to disconnect the driveshaft, is it OK to tow with the rear wheels on the dolly? I saw a Volvo ITB race car towed that way.I'm not close enough to one of my cars and I don't remember if the column locks with the wheels dead straight ahead or not! If it were a race car the steering lock would be removed and a clamp would be used on the wheel...

I usually trust my instincts but...
Aug. 21, 2009 6:52 p.m. Tommy Suddard SonDork

According to Rennie:

If you are towing the E30 more than 50 miles, you need to disconnect the driveshaft.
Aug. 21, 2009 11:38 p.m. granth New Reader

In reply to Tommy Suddard: Why, what do you think will get any damage? that does not get damage in 50 miles?
Aug. 22, 2009 6:10 a.m. ddavidv UltraDork

I've flat towed dozens of cars as well as used dollies. I've only ever once removed a driveshaft, and that was on a slushbox equipped Oldsmobile. I don't understand why a diff spinning a driveshaft makes anything different from a transmission spinning it. Never had an issue.

I would, however, make sure the guibo on the E30 is in good shape.

Driveshaft removal on these is a PITA because you have to take off the exhaust system and all the heat shields just to get at the damn thing, and then be careful you don't split the two halves and get them out of balance.
Aug. 22, 2009 6:34 a.m. Supercoupe Reader

The alledged problem is the tailshaft bearing not getting enough lubrication. The premise being in neutral (manual transmission) the gearsets are not moving at the normal rotational speed so the transmission fluid doesn't get distributed fully to the far reaching ends of the tailshaft and bearing. And likewise on an automatic there is no fluid being pumped, unless you have a vintage tailshaft pumper, so no lubrication to the bushings/bearings.
Aug. 22, 2009 6:55 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

Having the front on a tow dolly should be enough to make fluid reach the tailshaft. (experiment at your own risk)
Aug. 22, 2009 12:52 p.m. mel_horn Dork

ddavidv wrote:

Driveshaft removal on these is a PITA because you have to take off the exhaust system and all the heat shields just to get at the damn thing, and then be careful you don't split the two halves and get them out of balance.

+1 That's why I was trying to get away with not doing it.