Can u tow a fwd car if one of the front wheels has a bad ball joint?

Asked by Chicarwontgo Jun 17, 2017 at 01:33 PM about the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer ES

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hey there. I'm in a wicked jam and I need
some expertise please! My bf parked his
Mitsubishi Lancer (old but don't know what
year. Has to be 10+ yrs) in front of my place
and I didn't know it was a no parking zone
from 4-6pm. He is currently detained and
has the key on him and I need to have it
towed to his house. The catch is besides not
having the key, that the front left ball joint is
about to go. The tow guy said that bc of that
he'd need to take it on a flatbed but to do
that he'd need the key. Any ideas here? I
need to get it to safety before IT gets thrown
in the pound too! Please someone, any help
or advice is appreciated. This is way too
much for me to handle.

5 Answers

59,755

I can not see the bad ball joint in the picture. If it has one (bad Ball Joint). Ask the tow truck driver what difference does it make to tow since the front will be off the ground anyway. But either way what does it matter if a flat bed is used you just need it moved correct? Just have it moved. But if its not yours how can you legally have it towed away. Your In-Jail BF will have to go get it from the impound lot himself when released.

I think the tow truck driver may be worried that the ball joint is ready to give way. If the tow truck uses the front wheels as the attachment point it could be dangerous.

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