Hello all.

I understand that I can't tow a 4kq with two wheels off the ground, but all I own is a tow dolly. It's $60 to rent a car hauler, and I'm a cheap 'tard. Is it feasible to remove the rear drive shaft, or am I making more work than I would be saving in cash?

Thanks in advance.

-josh

If they come out easily, you shuld be all set to go.

If they are hard to get out (And can be!) then you may welcome spending the 60.00.

You need to leave the axle shafts in the wheel hubs to support the wheel bearings. For the center drive shaft you will need a triple square tool to undo the bolts (10mm?), and yes they may need to be coaxed to pull out. Bentley says you can tow the car on its wheels for less than 50 miles at under 50 mph so if you are just going cross town it may not be work the effort.

I would take that to mean on all 4 wheels, so the center diff doesn't get a workout.

If you tow it on a dolly with tthe driveline in place, you'll make the center diff work way too hard. (Back wheels rotating, fronts not)

You could concievably tow it with the front wheels off the ground, so that they could 'freewheel', but probably not a great plan.

When undoing the center driveshaft bolts, I've used both the triplesquare tool AND visegrips on the bolt head at the same time, so neither method take all the undoing torque (I'm worried the triplesquare will skid!).

Hopefully that makes sense?

Some driveshafts use 'triplesquare' bolts, and some use allen head bolts.

With eithr, make sure the socket on the head of the bolt is cleaned out (spray wd40 or similar in to loosen dirt) , and maybe even tap the tool a bit into the bolthead with a small hammer. You want the tool well seated, so it doesn't 'skid'!

I know about needing to support the bearings. Unfortunately I have to tow from Kansas City to Saint Louis, a bit more than 50 miles.

I know all too well how hard it can be to remove cv flange bolts, having had a few VW's over the years. (I managed to almost always need the vicegrips...) What I really didn't know is if there was access to the drive shaft, and if it could be removed without a lift. (I already have to deal with a tow dolly with much too high of a deck.)

I don't even want to try flat towing it, even if it wasn't so far, but I have 250 miles or so to go anyway.

(Not that it's a minor concern.)

I mean, once I get the bolts loose, I shouldn't have a problem removing the axle? Does anyone have a good picture of the underside of a 4kq? (I should probably get a manual soon.) I'm thinking remove twelve CV flange bolts and drop the shaft, toss it into the trunk. (The axle between center and rear diffs.)

I just really wanted a sanity check to see if it was a crazy idea or not. The reactions sound mixed.

Thanks.

You'll not be wanting to REMOVE the driveshaft, as to do that you'd have to undo the center bearing,and undo the front CV joint too. IF that's what you are thinking of, spend the 60.00 for sure!

All you want to do is to disconnect it from the front of the diff, and hang it out of the way of the spinning driveshaft mounting flange.

THAT could be the kicker though..

I'm not sure how much room you have to move and tieup the undone end of the center driveshaft under the car.

You don't want to undo the two halfshafts from the diff to the wheels (if that was the implication), as they'll still be spinning when youare towing. How would that get dealt with?