rag joint/steering coupler rebuild question
01-12-2007, 12:33 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
IMHO your best bet is to send it to Corvette Steering. They did a great job rebuilding mine. They used the correct heavy duty riveted studs, the carcass element has steel mesh in it along with a ground strap connecting both ends. Cost was $80.00 and well worth it. I was going to use one of the $13.00 kits from a parts store till JohnZ commented "I won't use a rebuild kit with all the loose nuts and bolts instead of the riveted reinforcements and safety pins; the most important connection between you and the tires isn't a great place to save money". After thinking about it I was convinced to have it done properly. Corvette Steering had it back to me in 1 week.
Roy
Roy
01-12-2007, 03:39 PM
#3
I most heartedly agree with Roy and JohnZ to have your steering coupler rebuilt back to original or better than original specs 
. Going with one of the after-market $13.00 kits seems foolish considering the absolute safety of you and others when using the seemingly inadequate kits 
.
I'm going through my 'Vette to refurbish the steering box, steering column, and all front-end steering components. In addition, all suspension components are being replaced plus new brake parts
.
The brake/clutch pedal mechanical assembly will be restored to include an upgrade to a dual master cylinder conversion.
Am I making a mistake here? I don't think so because I'm erring on the side of safety with resulting peace-of-mind.
Even though my car has less the 14,000 miles on it, I'm suspicious of the steering, suspension and brake systems to be without significant degradation from being a forty-three year old vehicle.
I'm focusing on vehicle safety now ... to get the car back up and running this Spring so as to drive to some far distance to get one of those 'two-hundred dollar cheeseburgers with fries and a swamp-water.'
I, as an old phart, need to do this type of silly adventure now and again to make me feel as if I am still in the main thrust of my earlier day experiences.
My $0.00002 worth is to not go for the 'cheapy' kit's ... go for safety in all regards.
Pete
. Going with one of the after-market $13.00 kits seems foolish considering the absolute safety of you and others when using the seemingly inadequate kits .I'm going through my 'Vette to refurbish the steering box, steering column, and all front-end steering components. In addition, all suspension components are being replaced plus new brake parts
. The brake/clutch pedal mechanical assembly will be restored to include an upgrade to a dual master cylinder conversion.
Am I making a mistake here? I don't think so because I'm erring on the side of safety with resulting peace-of-mind.
Even though my car has less the 14,000 miles on it, I'm suspicious of the steering, suspension and brake systems to be without significant degradation from being a forty-three year old vehicle.
I'm focusing on vehicle safety now ... to get the car back up and running this Spring so as to drive to some far distance to get one of those 'two-hundred dollar cheeseburgers with fries and a swamp-water.'
I, as an old phart, need to do this type of silly adventure now and again to make me feel as if I am still in the main thrust of my earlier day experiences
.My $0.00002 worth is to not go for the 'cheapy' kit's ... go for safety in all regards.
Pete
01-12-2007, 04:47 PM
#4
Team Owner
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Location: Greenville, Indiana
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"I'm going through my 'Vette to refurbish the steering box, steering column, and all front-end steering components. In addition, all suspension components are being replaced plus new brake parts .
The brake/clutch pedal mechanical assembly will be restored to include an upgrade to a dual master cylinder conversion.
Am I making a mistake here? I don't think so because I'm erring on the side of safety with resulting.
You asked for an opinion didn't you?
If that was MY MONEY, I'd refurb the wheel and master cylinders, check the steel brake lines for corrosion, replace the rubber flex hoses and drive on.
That other stuff ought to be in good shape when you're gone, but if you insist, would you send me your old parts? I'll be glad to pay shipping if they're not torn up taking them off.
The brake/clutch pedal mechanical assembly will be restored to include an upgrade to a dual master cylinder conversion.
Am I making a mistake here? I don't think so because I'm erring on the side of safety with resulting.
You asked for an opinion didn't you?
If that was MY MONEY, I'd refurb the wheel and master cylinders, check the steel brake lines for corrosion, replace the rubber flex hoses and drive on.
That other stuff ought to be in good shape when you're gone, but if you insist, would you send me your old parts? I'll be glad to pay shipping if they're not torn up taking them off.
01-12-2007, 07:53 PM
#6
Team Owner
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Never heard of him but he's EXACTLY RIGHT! That's just an example of why I said above to not arbitrarily just go replacing or repairing things when they're NOT BROKE!
04-05-2018, 07:05 AM
#8
Racer
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C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I realize that this thread is many years old. Did a search for Corvette Steering with no luck. Who does rag joint rebuilds now?
Thx,
Garth
Thx,
Garth
04-05-2018, 07:18 AM
#9
Team Owner
04-05-2018, 07:23 AM
#10
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Contact PeteZ.
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65-L78 (04-05-2018)
04-05-2018, 07:52 AM
#11
Tech Contributor
Tom Reina, owner of Corvette Steering in Anderson SC, passed away over 5 years ago, the business was liquidated. Prior to his passing he told me he could not source the quality material to make rags and stopped. Presently LICS still has probably the best rags on the market but once those are gone I believe that's the end of the line for those as well. Several places have told me they are trying to source the correct material but so far I haven't seen anything on the market. I would contact LICS and get a new one now before it's too late.
04-05-2018, 07:56 AM
#12
Team Owner
Tom Reina, owner of Corvette Steering in Anderson SC, passed away over 5 years ago, the business was liquidated. Prior to his passing he told me he could not source the quality material to make rags and stopped. Presently LICS still has probably the best rags on the market but once those are gone I believe that's the end of the line for those as well. Several places have told me they are trying to source the correct material but so far I haven't seen anything on the market. I would contact LICS and get a new one now before it's too late.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 04-05-2018 at 07:57 AM.
04-05-2018, 12:27 PM
#13
Tech Contributor
Well that was fast. Until someone makes real quality one, choices are going to be limited
04-05-2018, 01:37 PM
#15
Racer
04-05-2018, 05:28 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
Yes, but not right now, cause my car is not "here" but at the shop.
EDIT: Here is one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...gaAjsoEALw_wcB
EDIT: Here is one: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...gaAjsoEALw_wcB
Last edited by 63Corvette; 04-05-2018 at 05:41 PM.
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sixtysixtom (04-06-2018)
