Technical Disconnect prop to tow when front wheels lifted?

[Jamie KC]

When my clutch went I called on the services of the AA to recover the car to the garage. What a palaver!

Now this wasn’t due to any lack of competence on the part of the technician. He was pretty sound, thoughtful and efficient.

It was due to it being a 4x4 and requiring freewheeling hubs. He had two on board, plus the two required rims to fit them, but one of the AA wheels was larger (two different sizes carried, one of each) so he had to head off to a depot to pick up another small wheel/rim assembly. All told it was 4hrs plus to move the car 10miles by the time hubs were fitted, car lifted, towed, dropped off and restored to its own road wheels.

It makes me wonder, can the prop simply be disconnected at one or both ends and left in situ whilst the car is towed? Or would it need removing from the vehicle altogether? Seems like it’d be quicker either way…

 

[The Panda Nut]

I am not certain but suspect this would do. I can't see it being something I would want to let soemone I dont know do to my car though. It sounds as If your AA man did understand the issues which suprises me!

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

It can be done, but not ‘simply’… it would mean removing the propshaft which means getting under the car, undoing the bolts at each end and the supporting bearing at the centre. Better/simpler solution is to tell them they need a flat bed transporter truck to recover you.

 

[Jamie KC]

It can be done, but not ‘simply’… it would mean removing the propshaft which means getting under the car, undoing the bolts at each end and the supporting bearing at the centre.

I’ve not done it nor looked closely at the prop when I’ve been under the car, as been no reason to do so yet, but sounds like 30mins or so work?

Better/simpler solution is to tell them they need a flat bed transporter truck to recover you.

Tried that route. The phone operator was not as switched on as the technician, in fact I’d say there was nowt switched on in there at all! They said not an option, a van has to attend first to confirm it needs recovering (I guess they do get their fair share of people who say it won’t move at all only to find it’s a quick fix!). Once bench was there he said you won’t get a flat bed today so let’s just get it done.

Guessing no harm in towing that way. Read rear diffs can be rattly once prop disconnected. Just noise though?

 

[Jamie KC]

It sounds as If your AA man did understand the issues which suprises me!

To be fair I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the AA since moving up to Cumbria. Unfortunately since acquiring the Panda I’ve also needed them more . Hopefully this is just a spate of bad luck though, and soon the AA membership will just be an annual expense there for peace of mind…