Big G's right on....replace it, it's worn. 
Does my rag joint need replacing? [PICS]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Does my rag joint need replacing? [PICS]
Pretty sure I know the answer to this one. My real question now is, How dangerous do you think this is? I just noticed this today. I have checked my rag joint previously and don't remember it looking this bad. I will see if I have some old pics. For now, before I dig up all the Jim Shea articles, my questions are:
1. Is the 1968 rag joint the same as the 69 and later years or is this going to be another 68 only part?
2. Good source for the GM part?
Here are some pics. When I turn the steering wheel the pin (laveled A) actually moves. I seem to recall this is a safety feature, ie the pins keep the steering working even if the rag joint is shot. Area labeled B looks split to me. I don't recall it being that far open. The part labeled C actually slides back and forth slightly.
Here is another pic that shows the rag joint with the steering wheel turned to the right and kept under pressure: (except you would think I had the steering wheel turned to the left. I will go check again. Anyway, you can see how much flex there is in the joint)
I guess that first pic is the bottom.. maybe I just never had a good look at the bottom before??
1. Is the 1968 rag joint the same as the 69 and later years or is this going to be another 68 only part?
2. Good source for the GM part?
Here are some pics. When I turn the steering wheel the pin (laveled A) actually moves. I seem to recall this is a safety feature, ie the pins keep the steering working even if the rag joint is shot. Area labeled B looks split to me. I don't recall it being that far open. The part labeled C actually slides back and forth slightly.
Here is another pic that shows the rag joint with the steering wheel turned to the right and kept under pressure: (except you would think I had the steering wheel turned to the left. I will go check again. Anyway, you can see how much flex there is in the joint)
I guess that first pic is the bottom.. maybe I just never had a good look at the bottom before??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
If the pin moves side-to-side in that U-shaped cutout, then
it is loose - replace like BigG says. If it is tight, then you should
look into adjusting the column mounting at the firewall
to "center" the rag joint. There are plastic spacers used to install new ones and keep it centered as the column is mounted.
Once installed, the spacers pull right out.
it is loose - replace like BigG says. If it is tight, then you should
look into adjusting the column mounting at the firewall
to "center" the rag joint. There are plastic spacers used to install new ones and keep it centered as the column is mounted.
Once installed, the spacers pull right out.
Last edited by NHvette; Sep 19, 2005 at 12:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by PRNDL
I have a 68 with tele and power steering.... drum roll... do I use
GM part # # 7806391 ??????????
GM part # # 7806391 ??????????
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,602
Likes: 837
From: PA
Originally Posted by PRNDL
I have a 68 with tele and power steering.... drum roll... do I use
GM part # # 7806391 ??????????
GM part # # 7806391 ??????????
Definitely looks like a replacement steering coupler is in order!
Yes, that is the correct part number for your application. 7806391 is used up through early 1969 and has splines completely around the circumference of the coupler on the stering box side. Mid-production 1969s received a steering box with a "flat" machined into the steering box output shaft that mates to a different coupler with a corresponding flat. Chck to make certain exactly what steering box is in the car... It should be the early style, but over 37 years, original items tend to swapped out.
There is no change in application between standard, tele, and tilt/tele columns that I am aware of... The difference has to do with the mating surface on the output shaft of the steering box.
7806391 was still available from GM through the summer of last year... Which was the last time I purchased one.
Regards,
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Thanks Stan! You are right - My 68 was restored as a driver and lots of things have been changed. I will have to turn the wheels full right and left to see around the entire input shaft on the steering box, but if I understand what you are saying it appears to be the early style. Appears to be "full round" as Jim Shea describes it. Got the part# from his paper; now to read it carefully!
Last edited by PRNDL; Sep 19, 2005 at 02:55 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
I always tried to figure out the purpose of the rag joint. Disassembly? Why no just use a U-joint? My"rag" joint from the factory has always been as hard as concrete without any flexing whatever, so something that involves flexing doesn't seem to be the answer. Maybe this is supposed to break in a head-on?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Originally Posted by 68/70Vette
Don't know about the tele steering wheel. I have a standard 68 fixed steering, and a later model rag joint (flex joint) seems to fit just fine. .
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by Z-man
I always tried to figure out the purpose of the rag joint. Disassembly? Why no just use a U-joint? My"rag" joint from the factory has always been as hard as concrete without any flexing whatever, so something that involves flexing doesn't seem to be the answer. Maybe this is supposed to break in a head-on?
