I'm looking for any suggestions on a replacement for the stock steering coupler/rag joint. My original one has developed a good amount of play in it, so I think it's time for a replacement. From looking around, it sounds like repair kits are junk so I don't think I want to go that route. I don't want to go the NOS route either. I don't care about originality of the part or reproduction, I'm just looking for something that's safer than using a repair kit. I'd rather replace it with some a modern option. If anyone has suggestions or examples of what you are using, that would be great.

 

Contact Borgeson 860-482-8283. Ask about the rag joints they furnish with their PS conversion kits for Vettes. It may be your needed source. Dennis

 

Do you know if it will work for steering columns with no PS?

 

check this page out: http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=62

 

Yes. When I converted my 67 to the Borgeson PS the replacement rag joint they provided is the same as original.
Picture above. It was a tight fit but it all worked out OK.

Yet another advantage of doing the PS conversion!

 

I don't believe anyone has the rigid rag material originally used by Saginaw/GM. Tom Reina made high quality rag joints but he told me before he passed he could no longer source the correct rigid multi layered material. Long Island Corvette had very good rags but sold out almost 2 years ago leaving us with the present imported rags on the market. The ones I have seen are terrible. The material is too soft, the D-Flats off 180*, weaker retaining bolts used, and some are solid not multi layered. Several vendors were looking into building the better rags like Tom R had but I haven't heard anymore about them so I suspect they hit a dead-end. The original rags clamped around the shaft for a positive clamp, some of the new ones use a set screw to lock the rag on the shaft. Given a choice in this application I like the clamp method.

Some like the u-joint for replacing the rags, I can't give a comment on that since I still have stock of the good NOS rags to use but plenty have used them without an issue. These will cost a lot less then a NOS GM or Long Island rag which will run you over $250 now if not more as the supplies dry up. Up till about 8-10 years ago any GM dealer had the good rags for about $50

 

Does anyone know the diameter measurements and number of splines for each end? I think its 36 spline, but what diameter for each end? 3/4"? Or is one end a different diameter than the other?

 

36 spline, 3/4" on both ends.

 

thank you!

 

Get the GM part number for your car and then search Craig's List and Ebay. I know Tony's in Maryland had a few for 67 and 69. However, none of the OEM units are cheap.........so be prepared for a hefty price.

Larry

 

If you have a 67-E69 column I still have a few NOS service rag joints available, PM me if you need one.

 

Same question for a 63
Are there differences between the midyears?
How do I test my existing one to see if it needs replacement

Thanks
Glenn in San Diego

 

If anyone is using a u-joint to replace the rag joint, could you post a picture of it? I looked at mine and it only looks like there is an inch gap between the end of the splined steering column shaft and the splined shaft on the steering box. I don't see how a u-joint could fit there without having to cut a portion off the end of the steering column shaft.

 

You could unbolt the column under the dash and pull the whole column rearward to move the shaft further from the rag joint.
Less belly room for you though...Dave

 

Does this look like the right material?

 

Not my pic, but same setup. I added the lines. Currently the shafts are represented with the red lines. The green line shows where it needs to end for a basic u-joint, blue line shows where it needs to end with a u-joint with vibration dampener. My steering column is non-telescoping, non tilt. Just wondering if that is about the right area where the shaft should end.

 

No. Look at the pic. above. Yours has 4 layers of cloth fiber, originals have 7.

 

The ones from Borgeson have 7 layers, as shown in my prior post.

 

An NOS coupler will cost you about $250....if you can even find one:

As Gary R. said above, nobody has the correct rag "carcasses" for sale anymore...

 

This may sound like a stupid question, but could you just cut a piece of rubber from an old radial tire to replace it? Every time I read a thread on the joint this is what comes to mind.