Rob Edwards

This pic happened to be posted on another forum I frequent in a thread on the general lack of knowledge of proper auto maintenance and care, and one of the guys in the Tampa area happened to post this as an example of how not to tow a car. Who the hell tows a 928 backwards? Then it occured to someone that this might be a repo in progress- check the mobile brake light on the hood.
Any Florida sharksters know who this might be? Hope not!

Mike Frye

OUCH!

I don't know the owner, but I think I know where the two truck driver got his technique from (still in litigation).

That is NOT RIGHT!

Abby Normal

I guess he needs a front spoiler........

Dumb ***!

Rob Edwards

I just got a PM that suggested that you want the rear end of an automatic 928 off the ground when towing, which makes sense if you can't get into the car and put her in neutral (can't imagine that towing it forwards would be too good for the parking pawl....). Is there a strict prohibition against towing an auto 928 on the ground?

Towing it the way it is, unless the steering wheel is locked perfectly straight, you've turned the tires into erasers. And I'd be afraid that the steering wheel might come unlocked and do a number on the steering rack around corners, etc.

Fabio421

I just had this debate with a FL 928 owner last week. He swore that you have to tow a 928 from the back or it will tear up the transmission. I know that certail auto transmissions will burn up if towed with the drive wheels down. The Ford-)-Matic is one of them. This FL 928er said that you even need to tow manual trans. cars backwards and sited an anecdote from Rennlist where damage had occured when towing a 5 speed 928 with the rear wheels down. Can someone confirm or deny this fact? Maybe we can put this to rest once and for all. I cannot for the life of me think of how you could damage a 5 speed tranny by towing with the drive wheels down unless the angle is so severe that the input shaft bearing isn't lubricated properly.

Anyone?

Fabio421

By the way. That looks like Whitefox's car.

Iris and Kevin

I have been told that when towing an automatic with the rear tires down, it will ruin the transmission. The transmission stays engaged like a manual, but because it doesnt pump fluid it burns the trans up. Even towing in neutral is not acceptable due to the fact that there are moving parts, but no fluid. I cannot say, with regard to a manual trans.

69gaugeman

the 928 transmission has a rear pump so pumps fluid when rolling. in fact you can push or more likely pull) start a 928 auto.

Nicole

Yep - I've read that cars with Mercedes auto trans CAN be towed, or even push started. I'm just not sure how good it is for the transmissions. Maybe Steve C will chime-in and give us the full scoop...

Jim bailey - 928 International

That style of towtruck is a REPO truck used to sneak up and ****** cars which are behind on payments. It looks like a regular pickup and so attracts little attention until the stinger reaches out and grabs a car !

Warren928

That is definately a repo stealth rig. Prolly how alot of 928's lose their front spoiler, the ole' hook 'em up quick to avoid bullets in the **** method.

jorj7

I remember reading somewhere that the autos can be towed with the rear wheels down, but
you're not suppose to exceed 35 mph, and only for a limited distance (which I can remember).

Fabio421

If thats a repo rig I really hope it isn't whitefox. He bottomed his car out a few weeks ago and was selling the A/C along with some other parts. Now when I call him it says that his phone isn't reachable. WTF? Whitefox, are you out there?

PorKen

The four speed autos have the rear (lubrication) pump.

Tangent: SteveC recommends deleting this pump, but I always forget to ask him if there's a part number for a blockoff plate.

morganabowen

When towing a Porsche 928, you use a flatbed