Hello everyone,

My transfer case and rear diff has been removed to go get rebuilt, that means the car has no axles attached to the wheel hubs and I was wondering if it's okay to move to car around by pushing it from one place to another i.e from the garage onto the recovery truck , when I push the car I can hear faint clicking sounds coming from where I think the wheel hubs are and I wasn't sure if i'm damaging something. my evo is at my home garage now waiting for the diff to come back from sheptrans so will be sitting here for a few months.

And when I do get everything bolted back to the car is there any precautions I should take when starting the car since it would have been sitting for at least 4-5 months now without cranking the engine, I ran into some financial trouble so couldn't send the diff in right away

Thanks for the help,I know this is stupid question to ask but im quite OCD

 

According to the FSM you shouldn't even apply vehicle weight to the wheels with the axles removed.

 

Why what could exactly happened? Would the wheel bearings get damaged? So would you think it be a could idea I change all the wheel hubs before I drive again

 

Interesting. I've seen numerous Evos sitting with their wheels on outside an Evo shop with no engine, transmission, t-case, and axles.

 

very interesting indeed. i've seen the same around shops and build threads.

 

For the front hub the FSM states, "Do not apply apply pressure to wheel bearing by the vehicle weight to avoid possible damage when the drive shaft nut is loosened." The section for the rear axle has identical wording. So, dunno if this warning just got stuck in or if the wheels fall off.

 

Well since the car is sitting and only being pushed a few meters I don't see how the wheels are going to fall off or anything be damaged I don't know correct me if I'm wrong, but I guess I'll change the hubs just to be safe

 

You should be fine. None of your wheels are hooked up to the drivetrain. If you're really really really paranoid, get some wheel dollies to help you maneuver your car.

 

ok, what the manual is referring to is to prevent wheel bearing damage.
i've done it on multiple cars without fail. i guess its just up to you, i hardly move it far anyways.

 

The manual states the following word for word here:

Do not apply pressure to wheel bearing by the vehicle weight to avoid possible damage when driveshaft nut is loosened.
Use special tool MB990767 to fix the hub and remove the driveshaft nut.

All that is noting is if the axle nut has been loosened dont sit the car down on its weight as you will be exerting a load into the hub from the loose axle

If the axles are disconnected or removed all will be OK (thats how I read this)

 

The hubs are pressed together. They can come apart if roll the car around without axles in it. I know this because it happened to one of mine. I was able to cinch it back up with an impact on the axle nut. But it's less than ideal. Put the axles in and torque the axle nuts before moving it around.