AMC Eagle Den Forum
The Shop => Question and Answer => Topic started by: Longhunter on April 16, 2022, 08:27:41 AM
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Hello all,
I asked a similar question to this one about towing an Eagle about a year ago and got mixed answers from this forum and must now ask the same question for a different year model Eagle.
Here is my original question:
A few years back I towed an '85 Eagle from Montana to Texas with all four wheels on the ground, battery disconnected, transmission in neutral and car in 2 wheel drive. Had zero issues with the transmission and transfer case once there and drove it for several years before selling. On this forum I was told I could not do that as it would "ruin/tear up" the transfer case and/or the transmission. That did not happen so I am still unsure of the answers I received.
New question:
I recently bought an '86 (My understanding is this year has an open differential), so does that change being able to tow it with all four wheels on the ground? If I cannot tow it with all four wheels on the ground, can I put two on a tow dolly and two on the ground? If so which two on the tow dolly and which two on the ground? Lastly, I am guessing it should be in two wheel drive and in neutral?
Appreciate the assistance as always?
Thank you.
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Any time I've ever towed one, I've put the front wheels on a dolly & dropped the rear driveshaft.
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Unless the transfer case has a neutral, there are only two ways to do it right. The first is like Still Pat did it, pulling the rear driveshaft. The second is pull it backwards, having the front wheels roll. Either way, must be in 2wd.
The transmission 'can' get wrecked when the driveshaft (and thus the transmission output shaft) is spinning and the engine (and thus the transmission fluid pump) is not spinning. Some of the internals are turning, but no fluid is being pumped to lubricate everything. That's what automotive theory says, anyway. I've seen transmissions wrecked within 20 miles of city-speed towing, and I've also seen them towed hundreds of miles with no problems. Maybe it depends on the specific transmission, I'm not sure. The transfer case will be okay because its fluid pump is turning any time its internals are moving.
As a side note, the first generation (60's?) of Chrysler automatics had the fluid pump in the tailshaft housing, meaning the pump was always turning when the driveshaft turned. Flat towing cars with this transmission would be okay. This design had the bonus of being able to push-start the car...yes with an automatic transmission!
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OK understood. Thank you guys for the options. I think just to be safe I am going to put it on a trailer. Rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks again,
Longhunter
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As a side note, the first generation (60's?) of Chrysler automatics had the fluid pump in the tailshaft housing, meaning the pump was always turning when the driveshaft turned. Flat towing cars with this transmission would be okay. This design had the bonus of being able to push-start the car...yes with an automatic transmission!
Interesting side note, I can vouch for that because the VERY FIRST car I looked at buying was an EARLY ('60s) Valiant. - Yes, I'm THAT old! - I don't recall too much, that was a few, okay more than a few, years ago! I was 16, still in school, & JUST got my license. From what I recall, it had a dead battery & he didn't have any cables. We PUSH STARTED it so I could test drive it!