Can you flat tow a 914 w/o the engine/transmission installed? How would you keep the axles from flopping around? You could pull them, but I think thats certain death for the bearings.

Zach

I used to tow old subies with no engine (or rear diff) and would just use a thick zip tie to hold up the axle, never had one wear thru, and didn't damage the axle.... Ymmv

Hey Zack as long as you leave the stubs I'm the hub your good. Just unbolt the cv from the stub and get the axles off.

I'd remove the axles. I don't think it will kill the bearings. I've got a trailer thats been running for years that way with no problem. Less weight yes but probably not that different than a car with no drivetrain. I probably wouldn't go across country like that. A couple hundred miles I wouldn't sweat it

can the cv's on the swing arm side be removed without pulling stub axle?

yep! I do it all the time. So much nicer having them out of the way when dropping the motor & tranny

I don't know where this tale of "flat towing without an engine/trans will ruin your bearings" got started but it's wrong.
My guess is some yahoo flat towed a 914 with the axles on and destroyed more than just his bearings.... then told everyone you can't do it.
Or maybe the stubs and hubs were not bolted together... or maybe his trailing arm broke off because it was rusted out...


You do have to leave the hub bolted to the stub.
The trailing arm mounts would have to be in good condition.

I would never tow a 914 with just the axles on, ever, no exceptions.
Removing the CV's, although may be a PITA on a 914, it will not ruin your wheel bearings. You can then tow it no problem.

Whoops, posted bad advice

"Not suitable for towing!"

There've been a few guys that had problems flat towing a car with the stub axles removed, which you can't do.

If you try and tow the car with the half shafts supported by zip ties, you'll get about a mile and a half before you have problems.

Agreed. Its not sturdy enough and the center assembly doesn't have bearings needed for high speed rotation.

Just remove the halfshafts and leave the stubs installed.

Okay. Half shafts!
Plas76targa: get those tow bar mounts on your 911 or I am going to tow my 914 to Scott's instead. I'm call'n you out, Mr P.


Zach

If Matt needs a tow to Scotty's, I can help out.

Damn, you read posts fast! The shellange is on! if you tow your 914 then i'll drag the 911 behind the Enclave. I should have the towing package installed by then.

Matt, the 911 has priority. If I bring the 914 I'll be tempted to work on it instead of having a party. I'd rather bring down the 911.

If Zach can get his 914 to Scotty's party I am bringing him a motor that is basically plug and play that all the drunk people can install into his car.




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is this aboot ?

Dons fault. He put this hair brained idea in my head.
Zach

Then Donald can start paying my shop insurance when they find out customers have been working on their own cars here and drop my policy

Ahh. So maybe not the best idea then. Well, I'll just have to leave my car home and enjoy the party then.

Good.

But...But....But.....Zach's not a customer.........he's just a PIA!!!

i think you want both these parts on the swing arm, held on with the castle nut, for flat towing.

Yup!

Reason: The stub axle supports the back inner race of the bearing. When bolted in place it keeps the double row bearing together.

I reason that if only the hub is installed, the hub can be stressed vertically and with motion, possibly start to spit the inner race of the back row bearing out. This would probably cause it's destruction if the inner race moves enough that the ball bearings don't track properly plus kill the dirt/water seal on the backside.

Anyway, yes I bored.

I flat towed a 914 from Colorado to Alabama with stub axles installed. NO problems there. Just torque the stub axle in place. Bring a spare pair so you can simply remove the whole axle instead of fighting with the CV bolts in the field.

If Zach really wants to have drunks install his engine, he could host a get-together...

........Why me worry?....your 30 day grace period has pabst zabst.I mean
lapst..BURP (have some popcorn)
face