I have another thread here about the need & how to replace the flexible steering coupling assembly ("rag joint") in my '72, but finding a suitable replacement has been a challenge!

The Jim Shea articles mention GM part #7818568, but this part# is not available anywhere I've found... not even in their system according to the GM dealer near me. Other posts I've read have said similar. So left to the aftermarket, but many complain of quality or no circuit path for the horn ground through the rubber, etc.

So my question is... what is my best option in the aftermarket? What option have you had success with? Can you post a supplier name and part # so I can check it out?

thanks

 

MndShp,

I found two Mom and Pop parts houses that have the GM part # 7818568 in stock about a month ago (New old stock). They each still likely have the part as they both wanted roughly $200 plus shipping. Neither part house had a Web page, phone order only. One was in NY the other in CA. When I called them I asked that they check the stock of the actual part and describe it, both stated the rubber was Red, one of the two parts shops said the part was in a GM box the other said it was in a brown box with the part number on it (I think I remember that they said there appeared to be metal in the rubber). If interested I would call them if I were you and verrify for yourself the part is the original GM part. Just so you know the GM part only has one of the two flanges. I think the steering gear box flange, but it could be the other, you either reuse the non-supplied flange or need to buy separately. PM if you are interested in the parts house phone numbers. One final note, I used a NAPA Rag Joint Rebuild kit (I have a NAPA store in town that had one very old rebuilt kit in stock) which had the correct rubber and new bolt in pins. I re-used the old shoulder bolts along with Jim Shea's paper and was able to rebuild my Rag Joint. I did have to add a wire jumper for horn continuity. Lots of luck in what ever you chose to do, Russ.

 

Thanks a bunch Russ for your help on this! Sending PM

 

don't rebuild them with a kit, it's dangerous to do so! Some vendors have replacements for sale. Willcox, got any????

 

All I can find on Willcox's website after searching all years all categories for coupler, flex, and rag was part number 31000-28493 which is a repair kit. Just thought I'd help out, good thread to have for when I cross this bridge with my 72 body-off.

Link: http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...ds=31000-28493

 

worried about those replacements... are those pins welded like in the original? Does the rubber disc have a conductivity path for the horn? etc?

Anybody know which aftermarket ones meet those criteria?

 

MndShp,

PM sent.

As a point of information the original pins are not welded in, they are Hot Riveted into place (per Jim Shea paper and my removal experience). The aftermarket copies are not the original part, at least I never found any. Some get close but all appear to be different in some aspect and none are a dead match / copy. I rebuilt my joint. Understanding how the original joint was built I'm fully confident that my rebuilt joint is as close as I'll ever get to an original and that it will not fail due to the rebuild. My advise would be DON'T rebuild you own joint UNLESS you can be sure you know how the joint works, you understand the original joint construction and the construction of your rebuilt joint, and that once the joint is rebuilt you have full confidence that the rebuilt joint will function as the original was designed to function. Lots of luck, Russ

 

Russ,

Thanks a ton for all your advice!!!! PM sent

 

Not to hijack MndShp's thread, but I'd be interested in hearing what Willcox has to say about their repair kit. I know Willcox sells some items that are lacking it quality but they clearly say to use at your own risk in the description (PN 40589), but there's nothing on the product page indicating any lack of quality, fit, or performance.

EDIT: And in no way do I mean to bash on a supporting vendor, they are allowed to sell China made product, doesn't mean it has to be purchased. It's great the vendor goes above and beyond noting the country of manufacture; not like they have to!

 

I agree... I think there is a real opportunity for an aftermarket supplier to distinguish themselves on this rag joint part if they can prove their part has the same fit/function/etc as the original.