quattro digest, Vol 1 #1599 - 16 msgs

[Dave Eaton]

towing a torsen with 2 wheels off the ground will not cause damage to the
diff unless the speed exceeds 50km/hr, of the distance travelled exceeds
50km (according to the owners handbook).  remember that the torsen, in this
"mode", is unlocked.

where you might get into trouble is if the gearbox oil level is too low,
then friction in the torsen without oil could/will cause extensive damage.
ditto rear diff.  one other variable is the "height" of the towing end
relative to the rest of the car, and whether the front is lifted (oil to the
torsen), or the rear (oil away from the torsen).  ditto the early gen 1
non-torsen cars.

hth,
dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

-----Original Message-----
From: "Roger M. Woodbury" <rmwoodbury at downeast.net>
To: <quattro at audifans.com>
Subject: Damage from improper towing
Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2001 12:36:21 -0400

Sometime ago, the dealer that I was doing business with showed me an Audi
90Quattro that had been towed in after being towed as an unauthorized
vehicle parked improperly.  As I recall, the vehicle in question was NOT the
vehicle complained about, and it was towed by the nose with the rear wheels
on the ground.  Towing distance wasn't great, but the damage was
extensive...$9000 rings a bell, as the rear differential and the center,
torsen diff were luncheon meat, and some other stuff as well.

The towing company's insurance company paid for the entire amount of damage.
There were two errors:  first, the towing company chose the wrong vehicle to
tow, and secondly, the insurance company agreed with the vehicle owner that
the towing company should have known the proper method to tow the vehicle.

If Steve's car was misindentified by the towing company, there may be a
claim that can be made for improperly towing a car.