Notices
Evo General Discuss any generalized technical Evo related topics that may not fit into the other forums. Please do not post tech and rumor threads here.
Sponsored by: RavSpec - JDM Wheels Central

evo was towed for about 1/4 mile

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 09:29 AM
  #31  
NYEVO8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Originally posted by iodine23
If it was picked up from the rear and the car was in neutral, the only thing I can think of getting hurt is the viscous coupler. Everything else would be freewheeling. That said, I'd take it to the dealership and see if they can help you out.

Think about it, the viscous is sitting there with one set of blades stationary, one moving with the front wheels. So the fluid starts heating up and thickening up, trying to match the speeds of the blades, which it can't. I don't know the failure mechanism, but I can guess at a few things that might happen:

1. The fluid heats up enough, breaks down, louses its coupling abilities. Say goodbye to the limited slip action of your center diff since your coupler doesn't couple anymore.

2. Maybe the fluid gets so thick that it causes all sorts of nasty internal damage to the blades in the viscous coupler. Like bending, warping, or breaking.

That's just speculation of course... but your viscous was running in an undesirable mode for a long period of time. At the very least I'd say the fluid got a little baked and the life of the coupler has probably been shortened. I don't think it's something you'd actually notice, unless you were in tune with your car, too. If the viscous stops coupling, then your center diff just acts as an open diff rather than a limited slip diff, which may make you think that everything is working fine.
ok. so basically i should just go to the dealership tell them that it was in neutral and was towed from the rear wheels for about a block, and see what happens.

you think i should ask them to check the coupler(or just keep my mouth shut), and would this require removal?

i am almost certain that i am going to have to tell them it was towed, if they decide not to put damages, if any, under warranty, i will go through my insurance, if the tow company decieds to be *******s.

during driving what would indicate that the coupler is working as a open diff rather than a limited slip, what can i do to check it?
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 09:36 AM
  #32  
turborrago's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
....I dont think one or two blocks @ 15mph is going to kill it. I'm not saying its good for it but these things are designed with stuff like this in mind. Its not like the tow truck (dick-head that he is) dragged it for two or three miles on the interstate, THAT would heat up the fluids in the transfere case. Money says that car is fine.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 09:40 AM
  #33  
iodine23's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Yeah, towing for 1 block probably isn't going to destroy it, but might just shorten the lifespan some. The coupler is located inside the transfer case and is a sealed unit.

I can't think of any way to check it off the top of my head... except maybe to put the back wheels on some ice and the front wheels on dry pavement and see if you can drive off the ice. Of course it would suck if you couldn't.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 09:40 AM
  #34  
NYEVO8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Originally posted by turborrago
....I dont think one or two blocks @ 15mph is going to kill it. I'm not saying its good for it but these things are designed with stuff like this in mind. Its not like the tow truck (dick-head that he is) dragged it for two or three miles on the interstate, THAT would heat up the fluids in the transfere case. Money says that car is fine.

i somehow have conviced myself it is fine also, but just to make sure i made an appoitment for monday, i hope everthing is fine. crossing my fingers, toes and nose hairs.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 10:31 AM
  #35  
modvp's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Originally posted by NYEVO8


ok. so basically i should just go to the dealership tell them that it was in neutral and was towed from the rear wheels for about a block, and see what happens.

you think i should ask them to check the coupler(or just keep my mouth shut), and would this require removal?

i am almost certain that i am going to have to tell them it was towed, if they decide not to put damages, if any, under warranty, i will go through my insurance, if the tow company decieds to be *******s.

during driving what would indicate that the coupler is working as a open diff rather than a limited slip, what can i do to check it?
Contact the towing company, inform them of the inherent problem, and remind them that they are 100% responsible for any damages that may occur. Then take your car to the dealer for a complete check...you may not see any major problems now, however, major problems may arise later as a result of this.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 10:36 AM
  #36  
NYEVO8's Avatar
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Originally posted by modvp


Contact the towing company, inform them of the inherent problem, and remind them that they are 100% responsible for any damages that may occur. Then take your car to the dealer for a complete check...you may not see any major problems now, however, major problems may arise later as a result of this.
allready contacted them, even went to the office, really shady company. told them they would here from me next week, they looked like they could give a **** what happened to the car.

i will be taken the car in monday, see what happens. i just hope that they have actually learned something about evo's and they will no what to look at for damage.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 10:58 AM
  #37  
mifesto's Avatar
Evolved Member
iTrader: (58)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 0
From: Princeton, NJ
yeah if the police busts down your door to arrest you for a crime, i believe you still get compensated for the damage heh ...so parking in the wrong spot doesnt excuse the tow company of liability.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 11:58 AM
  #38  
evomr's Avatar
Newbie
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: NY
Originally posted by NYEVO8


allready contacted them, even went to the office, really shady company. told them they would here from me next week, they looked like they could give a **** what happened to the car.

i will be taken the car in monday, see what happens. i just hope that they have actually learned something about evo's and they will no what to look at for damage.
Might be wise to check in with your insurance company too. Ask them, I am sure they've dealt with cases like this before. Remember... It never hurts to ask. Good Luck.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 12:42 PM
  #39  
evo542's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
Originally posted by mifesto
yeah if the police busts down your door to arrest you for a crime, i believe you still get compensated for the damage heh ...so parking in the wrong spot doesnt excuse the tow company of liability.
but they are responsible for not towing it properly
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 02:45 PM
  #40  
LDB's Avatar
LDB
Evolving Member
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 486
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
Tell the dealer when you take it in. If you play stupid they won't know what's going on and may not check all the right things. If you've never been a jerk with them in the past they should be good with this. Be sure to ignore the idiots telling you to lie or stick it to the dealer.

When you talk to the tow company and the dealer be sure you forget every bad word you've ever heard. Be nothing less than totally polite. Take along a witness if possible. Take someone your parent's age if possible.

There's no reason the dealer shouldn't take good care of you and no reason the tow company shouldn't pay if there's a problem. Handled this way you should get satisfaction.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:06 PM
  #41  
turborrago's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
nyevo8 I see youre from the city....dont go to Kopell Mitsu in Qns whatever you do, they are the worst!
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:26 PM
  #42  
ex-honda's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
From: North bay
I don't know why you guys keeps blaming the Tow company. The guy was parked illegally. It is not the job of the towing company to be "courteous" to any vehicle. There job is to tow any vechicle that is illegally park. That's how they make money, on the amount of tows they get. Do you really think that if the tow company gets a call to tow a car, would they really go out there and see if it's AWD or not? I don't think so. It is the responsibility of the driver of where he/she parks.
On the other hand if I were you, I wouldn't say anything to the dealership and just say it is making some weird noise and leave it at that and let them figure it out.

It's kinda like.............you hate the cops but when you need them, you love them. Just like the tow company. You hate them for towing you car but praise them when they get you out of a jam.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:40 PM
  #43  
solitaire's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Originally posted by ex-honda
I don't know why you guys keeps blaming the Tow company. The guy was parked illegally. It is not the job of the towing company to be "courteous" to any vehicle. There job is to tow any vechicle that is illegally park.
So, are you suggesting that if they used a buldozer to push the car out of the lot and down the street, they wouldn't be responsible for the damage they caused? I'm not sure that improper towing makes them liable, but there has to be a line somewhere, where the towing company is responsible for their actions.

People aren't suggesting that the nyevo wasn't wrong for parking there and he shouldn't have to play for his tow/ticket, just that the towing company shouldn't damage his vehicle while doing their job.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 03:56 PM
  #44  
ex-honda's Avatar
Evolved Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
From: North bay
You just said it.....doing their job. what is their job..........towing cars. what's with the bulldozer analogy By the way, if you ever read some of those warning about parking illegally, it discloses that the towing company is not liable for damages. At least of some of them.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2004 | 04:05 PM
  #45  
Dale_K's Avatar
Evolving Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
Wonder how it can be tested to know if it's OK? Put it on an AWD dyno? Take it to a hockey rink and launch it?
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:38 PM.