Hello
It's been awhile since posted anything---still have my Jaguar and recently moved from Michigan to Washington--what an awesome state--love it so far---traffic around Seattle and Tacoma is crazy though. And everyone drives the speed limit or less---can't figure out what the cops out here did to put such a fear into these Washatonian drivers????????
Anyways, I'm driving back to Michigan to haul the Jaguar back using a UHaul dolly.
I was told I need to unhook the driveshaft to do that. Can someone give me a few simple instructions on how to do that and the tools I would need?
thanks
Darrol

 

Hi funomance,

Welcome back to the Jaguar Forums!

I took the liberty of revising your thread title so other members with relevant knowledge will know the nature of your questions.

If your car will fit on the dolly rear-end first, I would assume you could tow it that way without bothering to disconnect the driveshaft.

If it will only fit on the dolly front-end first and you confirm that the driveshaft must be disconnected, the photos at the link below should help. They're of our '93, but the driveshaft, flexible coupling and differential on your '97 are probably very similar:

Welcome to Jag-lovers - Members Photo Viewing Page


If disconnecting the flexible coupling doesn't give you enough freedom of movement in the driveshaft to tie it away from the differential pinion flange with a bungee cord or strong rope, you may also need to disconnect the driveshaft center bearing mounting bracket from the underbody. On our '93 it's secured by just four hex-head screws (as shown in the above photo album).

Cheers,

Don

 

thanks Don
I didn't think about backing it up---I will definitely try that first

 

Don has nailed it.

That shaft must come off for a towing distance of more than about 50 miles.

Rear end the thing, lock the steering, and tie the wheel just to be sure, and enjoy the tow.

 

Thanks Grant
Are you saying lock and tie the steering wheel if the front tires are on the dolly?
I am assuming if I am able to back it onto the dolly I should leave the wheels free to turn---or am I wrong about that?
Darrol

 

Nope.

Lock snd tie the steering wheel if you rear end on the dolly. I would NOT rely simply on that steering lock pin.

I would also tie the wheel if the front is on the diolly for the same reason.

 

Or request a rollback/flatbed. A lot of tow companies use them almost exclusively now because of all the different car drive configurations, FWD, RWD, AWD..... plus so many cars have low clearance that once lifted there is also a risk of damage under bumpers, etc.

Check the owners manual, but I believe that even if on a flatbed the manual specifies putting the car in neutral to avoid parking pawl damage. Of course, the car must be well tied down

.

 

Planning to dolly my 97 XJ6 VDP. Will back on dolly and tie steering wheel (somehow).
Do you recommend I leave the steering wheel locked or unlocked? I read unlocked somewhere.
Snowball