This stumped a Ford mechanic...

BRShirk

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I had the 91 F250 towed from TN to SC. During the tow the driver said he saw smoke coming from the front. He had it on a wheel lift with 5sp in nuetral.

When he got the truck to my house it wouldn't drive with the trans in gear, it would stall, but with trans in nuetral and transfer case in gear it would drive.

So what the heck happened?

Best idea we came up with was the case bumped enough to engage 4whl and smoked the case. Ideas?

If the case is smoked why is it driving with the trans in nuetral? Could the trans be smoked too?
 

Thewespaul

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Wild guess, but climb under the truck and make sure your transmission or transfer case isn’t falling off. Had a similar issue with a larger truck, bellhousing bolts weren’t tight enough and they backed out
 

lotzagoodstuff

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I would get a new Ford mechanic as you can't tow a ZF5 without removing the driveshaft. If the input shaft isn't turning (engine running) there is no lubrication in a ZF5 speed. Unfortunately I believe your ZF is toast.

Calvin (Towcat) will chime in, but I feel pretty confident in the diagnosis.
 

BRShirk

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The tow guy called his Ford mechanic friend. I've been talking to mine, a Ford trans mechanic, who said the same thing.
 

BRShirk

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I just got off the phone with AAA about it. He started the tow with the rear tires on the ground and ended at my house with the rear on a dolly
 

IDIBRONCO

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The transfer case is different. From what I know, their oil pump runs off of the rear output. Whenever your rear wheels are turning, the oil pump is too. You can tow a truck with a zf5 and the rear wheels on the ground if you put your transfer case in neutral. The transmission won't turn and won't overheat. Of course a two wheel drive doesn't have a transfer case, so unhook the drive shaft. There's also a small chance that your transfer case could slip into gear doing this, but it's a VERY small one.
 

typ4

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IF I were to tow a zf 4x4 ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE. The trans has to be in gear and the tcase is in neutral, there is an oil pump on the tcase output that pumps oil and lubricates it.
Trans in gear keeps it from turning. Your trans is locked up.
4 little bolts and the driveshaft is out. expensive mistake.
 

nostrokes

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Sounds to me like the tow company owes you a new transmission....

Towing 101: when in doubt pull the driveshaft or use dollies..
 

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