Towing it backwards will result in a crash.

Towing it with the rear wheels down will ruin the transmission and probably also cause a crash.

Tow on a flatbed trailer or truck only.

Simple as that.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

A full car trailer cost me ~$60 a day when I brought mine home.

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1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Here is the result of towing it backwards..


Towing DISASTER!!!
Towing DISASTER!!!



Have a great day.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

You can tow with the rear wheels on the ground or with the rear wheels up... neither will necessarly result in an accident or damage BUT:

Because the weight distribution is all wrong with the rear wheels up, the car will whip as speed increases. You should only do this for short distances under slow speeds. It will be very obvious what speed you can safely go and yes, secure that steering wheel!! In fact MB states this is the preferred method of towing instead of wheels on the ground (for short distances, if you are not able to disconnect the driveshaft). This doesn't sound like a way that will work for you considering the distance and speed you need to go.


You can tow the car with the rear wheels on the ground. MB states up to 75 miles and do not exceed 30 MPH. However they also state: "To positively avoid a possibility of damage to the transmission, however, we recommend to disconnect the driveshaft at the rear axle drive flange on any towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage."

So in summary, either method can be used in an emergency, but you must use common sense. Flatbed/trailer is always best. Short of that, tow with the rear wheels down but disconnect the driveshaft.

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A long wheelbase W126 just fits on a haul trailer. It was a little squirly over 60 behind my old Dodge 250, but that combo can get the car home. Get a winch and get it on the trailer. You'll be happier in the long run... even if pushing it up sucks.

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

You'll have to drop some of the exhaust to get to the drive shaft. Rent a trailer and all the insurance they will sell you (actually made money doing that, but I would not bet on doing it twice.)

__________________
1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

Forgot to answer that part yesterday. Regular nut/bolt. Can't remember the size for sure, might be 12mm.

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Other related data


Bad Flex Disc
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/121285-bad-flex-disc.html#post868326

The Death of a Flex Disc ... did I kill my 240D?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/252017-death-flex-disc-did-i-kill-my-240d.html#post2194084

What happens when you ignore that "little" driveline vibration!
What happens when you ignore that "little" driveline vibration!

Flex Disc Orientation, safety and durability issue.
Flex Disc Orientation, safety and durability issue.

If your W123 is shaking down the highway. . .
If your W123 is shaking down the highway. . .

Correct way to install front driveshaft guibo? (FLEX DISC)
Correct way to install front driveshaft guibo?

You said it was 65 miles away... for 75 bucks you can join AAA and get a 100 mile tow. Plus a bunch of other perks.
I have been using them regularly of late!

__________________
1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I've never had luck with that... they just tow to the nearest pro repair shop which can be up to 100 miles away before they charge. They have never let me get it towed back to my house without charging the distance past the nearest shop. Good Sam was the same way, but they don't have a limit on towing distance (used to use them when I had an RV). You also have to worry about having current registration and inspection... AAA would not tow without that.

Have you/anyone been able to get a "free" tow to your house using AAA? Lucky dogs if you have!

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Every AAA tow I had done went straight to my house.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Mine too, except when it was towed from my house to a shop.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Wow, I'll have to start looking into this again.... of course most of the cars I buy are dead and out of inspection.

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There is a waiting period from the time you join AAA and when you can use the tow. You have to call as it isn't listed on their site.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Tried to pick it up yesterday but ran into a snag. I could not detach the driveshaft from the diff. I undid all six bolts but I can't get it to move. Tried prying but won't come out. Is there something else I have to loosen/remove to detach it from the diff?