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I’ve searched and read through all the steering coupler threads and this still appears to be a problem in terms of sourcing. I ordered a Lares coupler through Oriley and was hopeful it was re-enforced as the picture showed. However, upon receiving it, it’s just a rubber puck. Going to return it, which leads to my question. It appears there are no options to buy the entire coupling so a rebuild is the only option. However, no one seems to have this part in stock.
Contacted Borgeson and they report they don’t have a complete replacement for a 1965 but they do have a repair kit. I have a press but am not feeling confident in riveting, which appears to have little information out there on how to rivet.
What are people doing to fix rag joints? Any new information out there? I’m at a dead end at the moment.
I’ve searched and read through all the steering coupler threads and this still appears to be a problem in terms of sourcing. I ordered a Lares coupler through Oriley and was hopeful it was re-enforced as the picture showed. However, upon receiving it, it’s just a rubber puck. Going to return it, which leads to my question. It appears there are no options to buy the entire coupling so a rebuild is the only option. However, no one seems to have this part in stock.
Contacted Borgeson and they report they don’t have a complete replacement for a 1965 but they do have a repair kit. I have a press but am not feeling confident in riveting, which appears to have little information out there on how to rivet.
What are people doing to fix rag joints? Any new information out there? I’m at a dead end at the moment.
Welcome to the Forum. Your profile is not filled out, so I can't address you personally. You don't state if you're steering column is a standard column or a telescoping column. Zip sells a very nice rebuild kit for the tele column (https://www.zip-corvette.com/65-66-t...build-kit.html). I don't know what the difference would be between the rag on a tele column and a standard column. If the rags are the same you could buy the standard rebuild kit, with crappy rag and combine the two to rebuild your standard column (https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-82-s...placement.html). Just a thought.
Thanks Leif - I’ll complete my profile. It’s a standard non-tele. Zip has been sold out with most of the other reputable sites. I’m gonna have to wait but summers are short here in Vermont.
A lot of threads said stay away from rebuild kits for safety reasons and rivet is best. The options are limited now, so will wait and go with the zip when back in stock, fingers crossed. As with all projects, I pulled on the string and now started rebuilding the entire steering column so hopefully rag joints will be in stock by the time I’m ready to install it.
you could compare the Dorman 31000 kit to the Zip standard kit. From what I have seen on flea bay it looks like the Dorman kit has been repackaged to make it look like a new offering but maybe I am wrong. An older Dorman number is 705-060. This flea bay listing has a photo with the disc dimensions and the description states it is 3/8 think. https://www.ebay.com/itm/173717966061
When I had our 1972 gear rebuilt by Bair's (https://www.bairscorvette.com/servic...eeringbox.html) it was returned with the rag joint shown. I don't know if it's the same style as yours, but maybe they could help you.
Yes, read through them all and on other forums. Times change and there was a time when people only recommended NOS, but now they are unobtainable. The thread you linked is how I learned about Lares rag joints. Even people that were rebuilding them have moved on including someone who originally designed the rag joint and let people know to not go rebuilt. However, we have no choice now with supplies being zero. Always good to revisit discussions with new members out there who might have different experiences. I researched the heck out of it before posting 😅
The new rag joint that came as part of my Borgeson PS kit works just fine. It’s been in there about 5 years now , no signs of wear, cracking , or distress. I’m sure it will last longer than I will…..
Rag joint issue
