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I read the info about the steering coupler written by Jim Shea. So i ordered the part in the article #7818568 from Classic Industries .
The part came with the correct part # on the box but its the wrong part. Its missing the two straps. Classic Industries wants me to ship it back before they send me a new one .
They won't even look at one to see if its correct . I ordered one from lares and its made in China, the two bolts are the smaller size and the one bolt is not copper .
Where can i find a good one? missing strap Missing strap (lares) that is what they told , but box has no Lares label. The rubber is soft and its made in china
That is what is offered today which is nothing close to what GM used. You have to look for a D-Flat rag and expect to pay $200-$350 for a real deal NOS one.
Why not take the parts off your old one and get a piece of the correct material from a company that maintains conveyors. Some of the belting used on conveyors is the same as what was used in the coupling.
The rubber is too soft. At least the one on the left has the correct size bolts and one is copper like my original. I am looking for a better one . I don't want to rebuild the old one and press the parts out. I will see what others i can find.
I just did a quick look on ebay and here is a NOS service rag- meaning it is what was available 10 years ago from any GM dealer for $50. They used to come with the red chocks on them. This is what you want if you have a L69-82 and I doubt you will find it for much less so I would but it. I don't know this seller nor have anything to do with this other than seeing it on ebay. The longer you wait the harder it will be to find them and the price will only go up. The current quality of new rags is nothing to compare to and to my knowledge no one is stepping up to make the good ones anymore when they can buy what you show for little, mark it up and sell it.
The rag from ebay is a D-Flat rag- look at the right side of the picture, the D-Flat is there. The new one pictured above on the left of the original is not a vette rag, the spline casting is different.
Interesting, as I bought one a year or so ago and have Jim Shea’ s papers saved and the part # in the listing corresponds to the early joint. The part number for the 69-82 joint is #7818568 which is what I bought. I do see what looks like the flat there now that I look at it.
Actually, I just looked, and the part number on his receipt is 7818568 so the add has the wrong one listed.
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; Feb 16, 2021 at 09:36 PM.
Steering coupler issues
