Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

A buddy and I were doing a timing belt change in class at WyoTech over the past day and a half. He's never done it and I've only done it once, but a long time ago. He has a 1990 Talon AWD 5spd.
Anyway, we didn't finish in time at the end of today so the teachers made us make it "pushable" out of the shop. Then we find out we can't leave it on the parking lot overnight. So we had to take some towing straps and tow it back into town to his house which is about 3-4 miles. We didn't go above 8mph the whole way back. My instructors told me that it wouldn't hurt if you tow it at that speed for no more than 5 miles. Yes, I know that doing this can really have a party on the drivetrain, but we didn't have a choice since my buddy couldn't afford a tow at the moment. We were just wondering if we hurt anything. It doesn't seem that we did, but who knows, DSMs...

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

As long as all the wheels were on the ground and rolling, you shouldn't have a problem. I towed mine roughly 20 miles at highway speeds with a tow bar, and 6 months later, there are no ill-effects.

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

Why would it hurt it? It's just like coasting to the vehicle.

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

Unless it was on a 2 wheel dolly there should be no problem.

The problem arises when you have 2 wheels off the ground not spinning and the other 2 are on the ground spinning. The center diff doesn't like dealing with that difference in speed.

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

True, but ya never know. I knew that putting 2 wheels on a dolly or something would fuck it up real nice. It just seems like coasting for a long period of time could do some damage, but I guess not.

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

You go to Wyotech? Is it pretty big there?

We had to tow one of the dsms with the truck. Unfortunetly despite the 2k (I think??) towing capability, the rwd couldn't get traction and tore up our lawn.. lol. The diesel finally got a car unstuck :)

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

The only difference between towing and driving is that the input shaft in the tranny is stopped VS. Whatever the engine RPM is. (so 0 RPM VS ~3000 RPM) But the gears are moving and pumping oil, so it should not be a huge problem. Letting the car sit and idle for an extended period of time would probably be just as bad if not worse.

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

Yea I do, out in wonderfully lame Laramie, Wyoming. I'm guessing you're wondering if DSMs are big out here, and I'd say it's pretty popular. There's a number of some pretty clean and well built 1gs and 3Ss here. And I guess the country is big too if you mean that, if you like hundreds of miles of flat nothing with 30+MPH winds everyday...

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

One of my friends went up there a few years ago. One of my ex's is up there right now.
I hear the towns people really hate the Wyotech guys :P

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

Flat towing an auto is bad, MT I doubt you would ever see any ill effects if done properly.

~John

Re: Pulled a DSM AWD w/ Truck
 

Thats because Nebraska sucks.