Drive with one 712 wheel off the ground?

Issues with shocks/springs, tires, steering box, stopping, etc.
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Maxf
Norway
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Location: Reno, Nevada

Drive with one 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by Maxf »

Friends,

Is there a way to drive a 712 with one of the four rear wheels off the ground?
Like using a come-along to winch the 1/2 shaft upward?

This would be an expedient way to survive a flat if you had run out of spares.
Last edited by Maxf on Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks,
MaxF

1973 712m Reno NV USA
"The difference between theory and practice is much greater in practice than it is in theory"
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audiocontr
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Re: Drive with on 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by audiocontr »

Search for the red bull truck a few years back. A come along can be used to pull the axle up for towing. I would not plan to drive it.
1973 712m
1968 Haflinger
1965 Pathfinder
1978 GMC Palm Beach (Hey, its got 6 wheels!!)
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TechMOGogy
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Re: Drive with on 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by TechMOGogy »

could you remove 1 rear wheel (say the middle one) and drive a 712?
72 Pathfinder | 75 710M 2.7i | 96 350GDT Worker
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Jimm391730
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Re: Drive with on 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by Jimm391730 »

could you remove 1 rear wheel (say the middle one) and drive a 712?
I know that if you remove one wheel from the rear of a 712 the drum just barely clears the ground (obviously this depends on your tire size). I've used this method on a dynamometer during testing. I would not "drive" it this way -- a rock or bump could shatter the drum and/or damage the aluminum hub casting.

On the other hand, I once had a flat on the mid axle and did not realize it; I probably drove several miles before I was flagged down. It did not do the tire any good, but I probably could have driven much further (having at least the wheel on will protect the drum and hub from most damage). This event caused me to get a tire pressure monitoring system, tubeless tires, compressor and plug kit so I can repair most small punctures by realizing the tire pressure is dropping before the tire has been destroyed. Prevention is much easier than changing to the spare (assuming you have a spare to change).
Jim M.
712W and 710M
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Maxf
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Re: Drive with on 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by Maxf »

I know it s crazy thought...But

Yes - that is exactly my question. Lift one off the ground and drive on the other three.

If you removed the wheel and lifted the hub "somehow" - maybe winched it up or something. Maybe it requires a special piece that bolts to the hub with a bearing on it so you can hook to the end of the hub and hold it up out of danger. Hold it up by the gunnel above?

I thought I saw this done in someones Africa travel log. But can't find the reference anymore.

[RedBull PInz search did not yield and good images]
Thanks,
MaxF

1973 712m Reno NV USA
"The difference between theory and practice is much greater in practice than it is in theory"
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ako
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Re: Drive with one 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by ako »

I realise I am bumping a very old thread. :shock:

But if you really wanted to do this you could jack up one axle, and replace the standard 18" limit strap with a 'spare' 16" limit strap that you have bought just for this purpose.

Still I would prefer to drive with one flat and destroy a relatively cheap tire rather than a portal hub.
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Maxf
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Re: Drive with one 712 wheel off the ground?

Post by Maxf »

Good point - shredding the flat tire and destroying the wheel is a cheaper solution!
Thanks,
MaxF

1973 712m Reno NV USA
"The difference between theory and practice is much greater in practice than it is in theory"
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