Towing for repair thoughts

[10Zero]

Looking for thoughts/opinions on flat towing my Jeep in for some differential repair.

Brief back story, cracked open my rear diff to change the oil, only to find my pinion missing a tooth with some damage to a couple other teeth. After anger and depression, cleaned out the metal, put in oil and buttoned it up to get it to an off road shop (can't do it myself)

Honestly, to drive it, you wouldn't even know...don't understand how. Don't know how long it's been like this, I've only owned it 3 months and it didn't happen on my watch. But now I'm not driving it til I get it fixed.

So my question for ya'll or opinions... Think it would be safe to flat tow it in for repair (no driveline torque) with my Blue Ox (it's an RV toad) or should I just trailer it in? Repair shop is 10 miles away from home.

 

[mudmaster]

I'd tow it. If it doesn't make it, it'll get towed anyway.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Id do it. If the pinion is missing a tooth and there is some other damage, Id say the bearings are likely damaged as well from the metal floating around inside. I seriously doubt a shop will leave the old ring gear being a new pinion is needed but in todays world who knows. Be prepared for a full Dana 35 rehab.

 

[cpwolf]

Looking for thoughts/opinions on flat towing my Jeep in for some differential repair.

Brief back story, cracked open my rear diff to change the oil, only to find my pinion missing a tooth with some damage to a couple other teeth. After anger and depression, cleaned out the metal, put in oil and buttoned it up to get it to an off road shop (can't do it myself)

Honestly, to drive it, you wouldn't even know...don't understand how. Don't know how long it's been like this, I've only owned it 3 months and it didn't happen on my watch. But now I'm not driving it til I get it fixed.

So my question for ya'll or opinions... Think it would be safe to flat tow it in for repair (no driveline torque) with my Blue Ox (it's an RV toad) or should I just trailer it in? Repair shop is 10 miles away from home.

Just a question, but you state that “to drive it you wouldn’t know”

You’ve been driving it, you were driving it regularly, and would be right now, I’d you hadn’t “checked the oil”.

Put cheap oil in it, and drive it to the shop. If they are pulling it open, I’d want new bearings all around anyway.

That’s just me.

 

[10Zero]

Id do it. If the pinion is missing a tooth and there is some other damage, Id say the bearings are likely damaged as well from the metal floating around inside. I seriously doubt a shop will leave the old ring gear being a new pinion is needed but in todays world who knows. Be prepared for a full Dana 35 rehab.

Shop is doing a full rebuild on it for me, all the way out to the axle seals. Wanna just flat tow it up there with my truck, but don't wanna risk a lockup. Figured no torque at the driveshaft, so all it wouldd do is spin internally. On a side note, so pissed to find this. No clue it was jacked in there, no symptoms, even a chunk out of the carrier at the spyders. Honestly have no idea how it can drive and not tell you somethings wrong. Must be a Jeep thing

 

[JustDandee]

Just a question, but you state that “to drive it you wouldn’t know”

You’ve been driving it, you were driving it regularly, and would be right now, I’d you hadn’t “checked the oil”.

Put cheap oil in it, and drive it to the shop. If they are pulling it open, I’d want new bearings all around anyway.

That’s just me.

Live life on the edge do this ^.

If you never knew then I bet you got 10 more miles in it for sure.

 

[10Zero]

Just a question, but you state that “to drive it you wouldn’t know”

You’ve been driving it, you were driving it regularly, and would be right now, I’d you hadn’t “checked the oil”.

Put cheap oil in it, and drive it to the shop. If they are pulling it open, I’d want new bearings all around anyway.

That’s just me.

Probably right, and I agree. Haven't really drove it since discovering the chaos, around the block once after finding the damage and sticking new oil in it. Just became paranoid is all I think, worried I'd break another tooth and lock it up ... Though I had no clue about it until I opened it up.