4 Wheel Drive/SUVs: towing a car with another car, 1992 toyota tercel, dual overhead cam

Question

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Followup To

Question -
i have a 1992 ford taurus 3.0 dual overhead cam great tranny great engine bum cv axle starting to go my question is i also have a 1992 toyota tercel the ford weighs in at 4800 lbs and the tercel is about 2600 lbs im moving from helena mt to salt lake city will i be ok to tow my tercel with the taurus if i take it of at major passes and drive it up and over then hitch it back up and before you say drive it down i cant really bad oil leak

Answer -
Jared,

With the bad cv joint, I wouldn't attempt to tow the Tercel.  You are running a real chance of breaking it.  Taking this chance that is up to you.  The cv joint should be repaired even if you aren't doing any towing.

Carl

well what if i clean the axle joints off and put new grease inthere then seal the boot just till i get to salt lake im not gonna tow my car but just to drive down and then fix it when i get there would i be alright do you think

Answer
Jared,

I've been known to do that sort of thing.  You may have no problems, but there is always the chance of breaking.  I'm not sure how far it is from Helena to Salt Lake, and the further you drive it, the more the gamble.

You said that the cv joint is starting to go.  If it is just a bad seal, or boot causing an oil leak, then you may have no problems.  If you can hear the axle making grinding, or clunking sounds, then it is about ready to break.

When you pull the boot, and clean the cv joints, you should be able to tell if there are major problems or not.  This would be the best idea, as then you can make a better choice as to the chance of them making the trip.

Carl