would it be OK to tow my car (a4) in neutral? I heard this is not good for it........ is this true?

 

I would not...the internals of the tranny will still turn and will wear on them from what I understood.....I always have mine put on roll back when towed....

 

pull the drive shaft out.

 

how hard is this? is this something I can do in a parking lot within a few minutes?

 

Have it flat-beded. Much more safe.

 

Automatics need the engine running to turn the oil pump in them. If you're not towing it far (like a few blocks) I don't think you'd kill it, but otherwise, tow it backwards, pull the driveshaft to tow it forwards, or flat-bed it.

 

you can easily do it in the driveway or parking lot.

just jack the rear up, rotate the driveshaft around till you can access a few of the bolts (can't get all at once) that hold the U-joint to the rear end. it's held there by a pair of 1/2 circle straps with 2 bolts per "strap". pull the ebrake and break the bolts (10mm) free, rotate the driveshaft again and get the other bolts.

remove the bolts and straps, then pull the driveshaft forward. this may take some tapping to get the u-joint to come out of it's position. you should be able to slide the driveshaft forward and then pull it off to the side and tie it up with some wire or rope.

when you go to reinstall it, i think the bolts take 15#s of torque.