Rag Joint Replacement
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
Rag Joint Replacement
I need to replace the original rag joint on my '65. The suppliers have the kit for about $14.00 that includes the rag and 4 bolts. I am not looking for original but are these decent rag joint kits?
How is the joint removed and replaced? Do I have to move or adjust the steering column? Larry
How is the joint removed and replaced? Do I have to move or adjust the steering column? Larry
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
If you're lucky, you won't have to mess with the steering column.
1. Unbolt the two halves of the rag joint.
2. Loosen the 'special' bolt on the upper half and slide that half up the steering column.
3. Remove the 'special' bolt from the lower half and slide that half up off the steering box and out.
4. Slide the upper half down the column and out.
5. Reverse the procedure for installation.
I used one of the cheapie kits and the only drawback I found was that the supplied bolts weren't shouldered. I got around that by modifying my old 'pins' and using them instead of the unshouldered, supplied bolts. Don't forget your ground strap.
1. Unbolt the two halves of the rag joint.
2. Loosen the 'special' bolt on the upper half and slide that half up the steering column.
3. Remove the 'special' bolt from the lower half and slide that half up off the steering box and out.
4. Slide the upper half down the column and out.
5. Reverse the procedure for installation.
I used one of the cheapie kits and the only drawback I found was that the supplied bolts weren't shouldered. I got around that by modifying my old 'pins' and using them instead of the unshouldered, supplied bolts. Don't forget your ground strap.
Last edited by nassau66427; Feb 8, 2011 at 03:12 PM. Reason: new and improved spelling
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
My joint has the original rivets so I can't split it while on the column. Will it still slide up and off? Where is the ground strap? Isn't it in the rag joint material?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
The ground strap was originally a separate piece inside the rag joint. You'll see it when you get your steering coupling apart.
A lot of the replacement rag joints have bits of screen door material glued (vulcanized?) on to them to take the place of the ground strap.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
CC has a new upper coupler with the rag. Can I use the new upper coupler with the old lower coupler? Anyone have a photo of their coupler? I want to make sure mine is installed right. Attached is a photo of my coupler. Previous owner had Bubba working on the car!
Last edited by jtranger; Feb 9, 2011 at 01:56 AM. Reason: Photo
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Here's what a '63-'66 standard column rag joint looks like; most of the "kits" are a poor excuse for a safe flexible coupling, especially the ones with a molded plain rubber "rag" and non-shouldered bolts. Either get a new one (LICS has them) or get yours rebuilt (www.corvettesteering.com). 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
When you put it back in make sure the rag joint is 'flat' when viewed from the side.
What you have now is unsafe. The upper part of your coupling is too far up the shaft. The pins don't appear as if they would engage the upper part of the coupling in the event of a rag joint failure.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 194
Likes: 25
From: Herndon VA
[QUOTE=jtranger;1576742613]CC has a new upper coupler with the rag. Can I use the new upper coupler with the old lower coupler? Anyone have a photo of their coupler? I want to make sure mine is installed right. Attached is a photo of my coupler. Previous owner had Bubba working on the car!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
[QUOTE=iflyto;1576748921]
That's totally wrong............it's like not even close. Looks like two of the same halves put together and doing absolutely nothing but joining the shaft with the box. The rag portion is being used as a washer VS vibration damper. 
CC has a new upper coupler with the rag. Can I use the new upper coupler with the old lower coupler? Anyone have a photo of their coupler? I want to make sure mine is installed right. Attached is a photo of my coupler. Previous owner had Bubba working on the car!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,659
Likes: 3,666
From: Central Arkansas
[QUOTE=iflyto;1576748921]
That's classic - should be saved for posterity. Probably wondered why he had a notchy feel as he turned the steering wheel.
Dan
CC has a new upper coupler with the rag. Can I use the new upper coupler with the old lower coupler? Anyone have a photo of their coupler? I want to make sure mine is installed right. Attached is a photo of my coupler. Previous owner had Bubba working on the car!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
I think your Bubba knew a little more about rag joints than the one who worked on this one!
That's classic - should be saved for posterity. Probably wondered why he had a notchy feel as he turned the steering wheel.Dan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
Just pulled the couplers and the rag was completely shot. The lower coupler was slightly loose even though the special bolt was tight. In the picture below, does the steering box shaft appear normal with excessive wear or grooves? I am hoping the lower coupler was the problem since it had some slight wear on the splines.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,182
Likes: 94
From: going faster miles an hour...with the radio on in browns mills new jersey
Just pulled the couplers and the rag was completely shot. The lower coupler was slightly loose even though the special bolt was tight. In the picture below, does the steering box shaft appear normal with excessive wear or grooves? I am hoping the lower coupler was the problem since it had some slight wear on the splines.
30 ft. lbs. will put a good squeeze on the coupling.
The groove on the steering box shaft is where the special bolt goes to locate the lower half of the coupling.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
Unbolt it at the pins and you can remove it as per my suggestions.
When you put it back in make sure the rag joint is 'flat' when viewed from the side.
What you have now is unsafe. The upper part of your coupling is too far up the shaft. The pins don't appear as if they would engage the upper part of the coupling in the event of a rag joint failure.
When you put it back in make sure the rag joint is 'flat' when viewed from the side.
What you have now is unsafe. The upper part of your coupling is too far up the shaft. The pins don't appear as if they would engage the upper part of the coupling in the event of a rag joint failure.
Steering wheel pushed forward in vehicle
Gap at Rag joint
Steering gear
Steering gear bolted to frame - under the vehicle
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,169
Likes: 4,172
From: Kannapolis NC
Where's the rest of your rag joint hardware? Try backing the camera up so we can see a picture of the entire set up. Look at the pictures posted 14 years ago in this thread of what it should look like, not the bubba one.