Murano got towed, now it stutters when turning

[grant2]

My '06 AWD was towed last night (I parked illegally).

The plastic cover for the little hole beside the shift lever had been removed so clearly the tow driver eventually had some thought about the transmission.

However this makes me suspect he didn't use dollies on the non-lifted wheels.

Now when I'm doing a moderately tight turn under gas, both left & right, the vehicle stutters.

Before I take it to the mechanic, what's probably happened? Or am i imagining a connection where there is none?

thanks.

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by grant2

The plastic cover for the little hole beside the shift lever had been removed so clearly the tow driver eventually had some thought about the transmission.

Okay, assuming the plastic cover was removed, how do you explain how the tow truck driver got into your car without setting off the alarm?

I have two suggestions:

1) Do not park illegally. (Considering the circumstances, I assume that is a no-brainer.)

2) Bring your car to a reputable mechanic, tell him your car was towed, explain how it drives and have him check the undercarriage. It is possible the tow hooks used by the tow truck operator may not have been properly positioned and damaged a component. If damage is found and it is determined to be a result of the towing then I suggest you contact your insurance company and let them deal with it.

Good luck.

-njjoe

[Pilgrim]

Ditto...and also contact the towing company and find out what insurance they have.

[nitely]

If you were not there when they towed your car, those tow co. have very little regard to how they should tow your car out--being an awd. They are there to get as many cars as possible in a short period of time. And those guys will deny any wrong doing.

They could have damaged a number of things in the process. TC, CVT, REAR DIFF, not to mention the small stuff, upholstery, paint job,......
Have it properly checked/diagnosed as recommended above. Good luck if you find you need to chase the tow company. It will be an uphill battle.

[grant2]

thanks for the replies guy but this is all kind of obvious.

Does anyone actually know what these symptoms usually mean?

(i can't see a mechanic for 2 or 3 more days ...)

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by grant2

thanks for the replies guy but this is all kind of obvious.

Does anyone actually know what these symptoms usually mean?

(i can't see a mechanic for 2 or 3 more days ...)

No, not without a more comprehensive description of the problem. Simply saying the car stutters when turning does not give us much to work with.

It could be a bent tie rod which would throw off the alignment. It could be a damaged AWD clutch which would cause the rear axle to engage.

A more definitive diagnosis? We are good, but not that good.

-njjoe

[grant2]

Originally Posted by njjoe

It could be a bent tie rod which would throw off the alignment. It could be a damaged AWD clutch which would cause the rear axle to engage.

Ok thanks. I figured it would be well known what kind of damage is caused by towing with 2 wheels on the ground, but I guess the mystery shall remain until I can get it to a shop.

in response to other comments:

1) "don't park illegally" you said this is a no-brainer so i'm not sure why you are pointing it out unless you think I don't have a brain? If this is the biggest mistake I make for the rest of my life i'll consider myself a very lucky man.

2) "contact the tow company" of course I will do that, once their business office is open again...

3) "uphill battle" that's what I figure, but what can I do, things are the way they are. The "good news" in this regard is the tow receipt very clearly does NOT indicate dollies being used.

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by grant2

1) "don't park illegally" you said this is a no-brainer so i'm not sure why you are pointing it out unless you think I don't have a brain? If this is the biggest mistake I make for the rest of my life i'll consider myself a very lucky man.

It was simply tongue-in-cheek. No offense intended.

Let us know what you find out.

-njjoe

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by grant2

1) "don't park illegally" you said this is a no-brainer so i'm not sure why you are pointing it out unless you think I don't have a brain? If this is the biggest mistake I make for the rest of my life i'll consider myself a very lucky man.

I agree - that's a good perspective. But chill.

[Eric L.]

I suspect damage to the rear differential or the transfer case. AWD Muranos must be flatbed towed.

[zebelkhan]

Stuttering while turning is more than likely as the result of all four wheels having power while turning, which means somehow AWD system is staying engaged.

[grant2]

I'm pretty sure the front wheels were lifted (because they were still slightly turned when I picked it up) and the rear wheels left on the ground while towed.

The transfer case sounds like a strong possibility... if the rear wheels were dragged while the front were forced to be stationary, it would make sense that the machinery inside would get damaged.

If this damage results in a permanent AWD type of power transfer (instead of the normal FWD) that would explain the stutter when the left & right wheels are all under power but have different turn radiuses.

[Warhammer]

Just double checked the owners manual. AWD models either need to be flat bed towed or the two wheels on the ground need to be on dollies. FWD models can have rear wheels on the ground while being towed.

I've never been towed before; hope I never will, but can you go after the towing company for damages to your vehicle? If they did tow your AWD MO with the rear wheels on the ground without using dollies that would definitely cause damage.

[njjoe]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

If they did tow your AWD MO with the rear wheels on the ground without using dollies that would definitely cause damage.

Definitely??? While I understand how some AWD and 4x4 vehicles could be damaged by towing with the rear wheels on the ground, I just can not see how that pertains to the MO.

The MO's AWD clutch is between the rear differential and the driveshaft. If no electrical current is present the clutch will remain disengaged and the mechanical connection between the differential and driveshaft remains open. In this situation neither the driveshaft nor the transfer case is rotating.

The only plausible explanation would be a lubrication system powered by the normally-spinning driveshaft. If the car was being towed the driveshaft would not be spinning. But there is no mention in the service manual of such a pump. I assume the differential is bath lubricated.

I wonder if the warning is simply a standard warning given to all AWD cars regardless of mechanical set-up.

Just my two cents....

-njjoe

[Warhammer]

Well...my statements simply goes off of the towing instruction in my 04 SL AWD owners manual. I assume Nissan has to have a reason behind stating using dollies for the wheels that are on the ground if it's not being flatbed towed. The picture says it all. Another fact is that the OP's MO was working just fine before being towed. Therefore, something happened. Just not sure what.

Maybe the rear end is fine and something on the front end is screwed up. I'm interested to see how this whole thing plays out.