Steering column ??broken??
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 5
Steering column ??broken??
Hi everyone. So please be gentle. I am NOT a mechanic. I was checking the oil on my new '77 when I saw this on the steering column. I have had it 3 weeks and it runs/steers amazing. Everything else is mint as I am the 3rd owner and she only has 42k miles. BUT....I see this is a "fix"...is it safe??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 1,977
From: Temple Terrace Florida
A prior owner replaced the stock rag joint with a rubber joint. Some people swear at them. If a stock joint is available, I would replace it. On the C-2s, original ones with the wire mesh embedded in them are almost impossible to find. Jerry
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
It's called a rag link. It is a factory "Type" part. In other words this is not something that someone cobbled up. But rather correct as built. The actual rubber disc has been replaced, the replacement parts are not as good a quality as the original. Although originals can be difficult to find as they haven't been made in a long time.
relax, it's OK.
However because of the quality of the rubber disc, check on it once in awhile.
relax, it's OK.
However because of the quality of the rubber disc, check on it once in awhile.
Old Fart Pilot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 1,001
From: Spokane, WA
As for the "fix", the rubber disk part closer to the steering box is a replacement part because the originals are hard to come by now adays - it looks fine and as others have said it's not as good as the original design but should be OK for normal driving. Keep an eye on it for any deterioration. If you're worried about the flange on the steering columm side of the rag joint, the curved portions where the pins fit is the way it was designed - yours looks normal/original.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
A previous owner probably couldn't get the original rusted pieces apart.
You can get a Conveyor Belt repair shop to Punch-Out a reinforced sewn replacement disc as a spare in case you ever need it...
they can also punch-out body mount sewn cushions to replace the aluminum body mount spacers.
You can get a Conveyor Belt repair shop to Punch-Out a reinforced sewn replacement disc as a spare in case you ever need it...
they can also punch-out body mount sewn cushions to replace the aluminum body mount spacers.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,147
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From: US-PNW
(Rabbit trail: Are those tire tread door mats of my youth still a thing?)
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 5
It's called a rag link. It is a factory "Type" part. In other words this is not something that someone cobbled up. But rather correct as built. The actual rubber disc has been replaced, the replacement parts are not as good a quality as the original. Although originals can be difficult to find as they haven't been made in a long time.
relax, it's OK.
However because of the quality of the rubber disc, check on it once in awhile.
relax, it's OK.
However because of the quality of the rubber disc, check on it once in awhile.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 56
From: TX
Other than it it's appearance as molded rubber (vs the 'raggedy layered edges or an original) and doesn't look like an original - I don't see what the downside is with modern replacement rubber couplers...?
