Where do i buy a rag joint for a 1966 ?
thanks
Mike

 

Three on ebay right now.

 

Sorry should of clarified Will the one from ecklers corvette work ,does not have to be ncrs
thanks

 

There are recent 1/2 dozen threads on this topic, the current crop of repro rag joints are sub-par, they might work but don't expect the performance and longevity of original or NOS versions - NObody has the correct replacement 7-layer "rag" carcasses anymore.

You can see how soft and flimsy the repro rags are:


If you find an NOS on eBay then that's your best bet, be careful as there are some "fake" NOS used joints cropping up. Expect to pay $200-$300 for the best - but you'll only ever need one.

 

LIC was the one who reproduced the most correct one and one closest to original. .

 

Which they have been out of stock for about two years now, I got one of the last ones and built a spare coupler with it (not for sale)..

 

I understand that. I was just trying to tell him who mad the best one and the source. and LIC has no plans to make them again. Scott Smith of N36 restorations was the one that worked with LIC (Richard Cohan) to have new cast ends and the correct middle made. they made a limited runs of each that was it. so the tooling is sitting somewhere. to bad it most likely will be bought and done again. Jim Shea had a some too. But last I was told Tony's Corvette Shop in Gathersburg MD bought all of it. not sure if Tony will sell it to the public or if he is using it for is restoration shop

 

Tony has one on eBay now. Hold onto your socks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Rag-Joi...EAAOSwtZpee3rM

 

ouch. a couple of years ago at our NCRS chapter meet he had just got in about four shipping containers of NOS steering related parts

 

Borgeson sells one in conjunction with their PS conversion kit, it is also available separately as a replacement part. While not NCRS in appearance it is perfectly functional, strong, and safe.

I have one in my 67 and drove it last Friday; it’s been in there about 3 years now with no problems. No reason to obsess over finding an original NOS part.

 

Certainly an option on a car not destined for judging...
I think Andy Cannizzo sold his last this past month - and a lot more reasonably than the eBay one above...
And forum member smcoat1 scored a pristine NOS coupler for $125 just last week; I'd keep my eyes open before I'd sink $600 in one..

 

I have typed this out in the recent past but I need a break from working on my Bridgeport.

The best were/are original Saginaw/GM rags. They are long gone. The next best were those made by Tom Reina who owned Corvette Steering and supplied the good steering box parts and his own rags to the vendors. His rags were equal to GM's. Among those he sold parts to was LICS. I don't know if LICS used another source after Tom died about 7-8 years ago or if they just sold out of what they had in stock. It doesn't matter because those are long gone now too and even though some in the business were huffing and puffing they were going to make them and as good as GM or Tom's no one ever has. The rag material is gone. Can it be made sure, although now is not the time to try and get things made. The cost of the material would probably push the cost of the rag into outer space and no one wants to commit to that as long as the market is loaded with the cheap ones. Makes business sense in a market that is not what it once was and will continue to downsize.

I personally don't care for the Borgenson set screw type rag. The only one I had in hand was not impressive at all compared to either GM or Tom's. Will it work, yes, will the cheap one work, yes. Is it what you want? I can't say. Would I use one- no. I like the ones mentioned and still have a box of new ones that are only offered in certain situations-which I am not getting into here.

I keep hearing how Tony bought out all the steering parts from Tom after his death. That is only partially correct, I bought all the new worms and sectors Tom had- 8,000 lbs worth. I have since sold off more then I will ever need to some other rebuilders. Note- new steering worms and sectors must be fit, they are not an out of the box direct swap- they never were and were not a matched set like a ring & pinion. Tony got the rags and column parts. Tony is a pretty cool guy from the few times I spoken with and met him. He has a heck of a shop and talent.

I have not spoken with Jim Shea in some time but I never recall him having rags in his personal possession. He was the engineer building them 50 years ago and forgot more about rag joints and steering columns then the collective brain trust on this forum claims to know, myself included.

Ok going back to my shop and the mill.

 

I don't understand the drama behind the repops. Here's a rubber cord impregnated disc as used in a Cub Cadet driveshaft application.. These things took the power of a gasoline engine anywhere from 10 to 18 horsepower and a couple of diesel engine applications as well. They ran for 100's of hours before they failed and usually what failed was the steel couplers first which allowed the fabric disc to stretch and run out of round. They are only four ply. I've never measured one but they are similar in size to the Corvette piece. Might be worth someone's while to scoot down to your Cub Cadet dealer and do some measuring for about $15 a pop.

 

All I know is that the Borgeson rag joint in my 67 works just fine, and has done so for 3+ years now. No slack or slip, instant connection/feedback to/ from the steering gear to the steering wheel.

Also no distortion under max load. I have watched under the hood while the wife cranked the wheel with the car at rest on dry pavement and observed zero distortion.

Admittedly I am no automotive engineer - just a low on the technology food chain civil engineer - but I do know what has worked well for me.

 

That would be their 053434A? It shows as 3/4-36 by 3/4-36. Thanks for the suggestion, that might be worth my looking at.

 

What year is your car? The 63 to 66 is one part #, the 67 is different.

 

66 chassis, 64 body. Steering box is '66 (but should be the same)

 

Then it looks like you have identified the correct one!

 

Some options for you on ebay right now..,. not mine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/63-66-C2-Co...sAAOSwx7heg0eK

This one looks a little strange, but might be ok

https://www.ebay.com/itm/63-66-C2-Co...oAAOSwUfReeNw2

Not sure this is really NOS

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-1966-Chevrolet-Corvette-Rag-Joint-63-64-65-66-5691327-C2-Midyear/392744203669?hash=item5b7160f595:g:SZIAA OSwnQ5egfdF

Could be a decent replacement for a while and emergency
Peruse at your own risk......

I am watching one of them myself.....but no gonna be greedy.

 

took apart old rag joint