Looking for a source for the complete steering coupler/rag joint for a 72 C3 base. I need both parts (fits on steering box and steering column).

 

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zip corvette

Rock Auto

 

You're not going to find the same quality as the original Saginaw couplers. NOS ones come up on ebay at times. They cost more but are the best. Some of the new ones have the D-Flat off 180*, use solid rubber pucks, and cheaper pinch bolts. The originals were grounded as well.

 

I just ordered one (For a different, classic GM car) from my local Advance Auto. It's a Lares brand, do some research beforehand because they offer different part numbers for the same car depending on power steering/manual, etc. The Lares website will list dimensions.

 

I have a couple nice column flanges with the 12 point bolt available if you need.

 

I got one from Bairs a couple years ago. no problems so far.
Pat

 

100%

I found my NOS / OEM parts on e-bay. Was patient & eventually found what I needed. * * NOT CHEAP * * Night & Day difference. The new "RUBBER" Chinese parts are GARBAGE !!

 

I have 3 cars todo this upgrade on. I am hoping it gets easier by the 3rd one. I did buy the rebuild kit for one and a replacement kit for the 2nd. I may want to find an OEM unit for the last

 

Not sure what year your car is, but if you need the ground that goes across the bolts it can be easily found & purchased anywhere !!


Here ya go:

CLICK HERE >>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/32379960925...Bk9SR5Sv8Y6xZg

 

This rag didn't even make it 7 years. New stuff is junk

 

Why do you think they call them "rags"?

 

Thanks for the input on the rag joint. I’ll check out a Lares and see how it compares.

 

F.Y.I: NOTHING compares to an original OEM / NOS rag joint PERIOD.
The "LARES" looks like a big rubber puck, ( just like the one pictured above that cracked / tore ) this is not how the originals were made. "JUNK"

 

Understood. Who sells the OEM rag joint?

 

I got mine at Bairs. It looks like a quality unit and has worked well so far.

 

If you look at a real Saginaw rag joint you can see that it is 7-8 layers (I didn't count them), Rigid, grounded by screen from 1972 up and service joints, the D-Flat is correct, and the pinch bolts are correct. I have not seen this in any rag sold since Saginaw stopped making them and Tom Riena stopped making them. Toms were as good as Saginaw.

Several vendors, some now gone and some still in business, were going to reproduce them at this level. That never happened that I know of. I sure haven't seen them if they did come out. Tom told be several years before he passed that he couldn't get the material anymore to make them. While it most likely can be custom made, the cost would be prohibitive for a small market. So, the cheap ones are sold. They will work to a point, but I doubt they will have the lifespan of the originals which could be decades. They will not be as rigid nor give the same feedback as the originals. Given the choice between some of the new rags and a u-joint, I would use the u-joint. We have and haven't had any issues. However, my first choice would be a NOS GM or Corvette Steering Rag. NOTE- LICS was known for quality rags, they bought their rags from Tom.

Here is the last original rag I have, it is not for sale. I still have a couple of the 67-E69 rags Tom made but all the GM are gone now. Some interchange with other models. I bought one last year off ebay, NOS GM - BUT it was one made by the co that bought out Saginaw and was not rigid or grounded. I returned it.

 

Try searching for Dorman or Help products.

 

I Provided you a link to one that's currently for sale on EBAY in post # 9

 

That is a 4-layer sedan and light truck rag on Ebay and the one TurboTodd shared a photo of is also a 4-layer non-Corvette rag. Corvettes came with a 7-layer rubber donut. A common error because a lack of common documentation on the subject. The true Corvette 7-layer rags are hard to find and expensive when they are found. Also confusing is the use of the SAME part number for two different parts. So if you recognize the 7 vs 4 thing you can at least check the part before buying it.