Lou Schneider
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- Joined
- Mar 14, 2005
- Posts
- 13,250
Does anyone know exactly what is different in the transmission that makes some towable with out messing with the transfer case and some not? Just curious....LOL
It has to do with lubricating the transmission gears. Automatic transmissions are lubricated via a pump on the engine shaft. If the engine isn't turning, the gears and bearings don't get any oil.
Remco used to sell an electric driven pump to get around this problem but I think it's discontinued - probably because it's installation was too complicated.
Putting the transfer case in neutral disconnects the transmission from the driveline, so the transmission doesn't turn as the car is towed down the road. But this doesn't work if your transfer case is pushbutton activated instead of having a lever that can be placed in neutral.
Manual transmissions are lubricated by the gears splashing oil around as they turn. But not all manual transmissions are towable without a disconnect - if they use the the gears on the engine shaft instead of the output shaft to sling the oil around there won't be any lubrication unless the engine is running.