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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: mckellyb on July 31, 2007, 07:57:59 PM

Title: Diff blown, need to tow it with all four wheels on the ground
Post by: mckellyb on July 31, 2007, 07:57:59 PM

The GV is our dedicated tow car...as in it's towed behind the motorhome.  It's got a good 65K miles on it from towing in the past couple of years, but I've had diff explosion problems with it since before we even bought the motorhome.

I'm trying to make it to Central City, CO, from Dallas, TX, where I can order parts and get it mobile enough to sell it, or something.  This, BTW, is diff #4 which has failed in 76K driven and 65K towed miles.  I've never had a diff failure in any of the heaps I've owned in the past, and they've all been abused at some point, unlike this car.

The RR axle seal blew about 15 miles ago, and we made it to the rest area east of Hedley, TX, where the wifi is functional, so at least I can surf around for a U-Haul joint which has a trailer, as I think this is the only solution, all four wheels off the ground, or put it on a dolly backwards, which can get ugly, as the diff is going to seize at some point, I just don't know when, yet.

Ideas?  My wife wanted to park it on the train tracks, but I had to nix that.  Tempting at this point, but not a good solution.

Thanks.

Kelly
'99 JLX+, 76K milrs, 'Kick 5.13 diffs, manual hubs, spacer lift, redone A/C system, and lotsa little stuff to keep it moving...usually.

Title: Re: Diff blown, need to tow it with all four wheels on the ground
Post by: IanL on August 01, 2007, 01:12:33 AM

You can tow it backwards, with the rears in the air, or on a dolly.  As long as the ignition is turned off, the front axle drive will be disengaged, but put it to ACC to unlock the steering.  Put the transfer to N.

Title: Re: Diff blown, need to tow it with all four wheels on the ground
Post by: mckellyb on August 01, 2007, 07:14:49 AM

Actually, I put manual hubs on it, so they're not connected.

I'd think I'd want the steering wheel locked in the straight-ahead position, this way I don't have the hitch 'steering', the dolly wheels steering and the trailing wheels steering.

Oh, and you just have to leave the key in the ignition, after cycling to 'on' then 'off', to keep the steering unlocked.  Pretty cool, actually.