Question About Rag Joint

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Mar 27, 2005 | 10:49 PM

Biker

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 1,218

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From: Plainfield IL

Question About Rag Joint

My Chilton's manual has no procedure for replacing the rag joint in my '81. Does replacement require removing the steering box or loosening the steering column, so the flanges can be removed from the steering shaft? Do the flanges redily separate or is a puller needed?

Mar 27, 2005 | 11:00 PM

74FLCONV

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 3,255

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From: Manalapan FL

I'm about to do the same job. Also interested in replies.

D. Ocean
Miami, FLA

Mar 27, 2005 | 11:24 PM

TXShark

Instructor

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 231

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From: Tucson AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biker

It will come apart with a screwdriver once you get it loose. Actually, pretty simple job. It only goes on one way. You disconnect the shaft from the coupler, slide it off and replace the joint. Sometimes you have to loosen the steering box to get the clearance. Your steering wheel should be pointed straight ahead so you know where to go back to. Shouldn't be a problem with the shaft being flat on one side, but mine got jacked up somehow. Anyway, it's pretty easy. There was an article in Corvette Fever a May 2002 titled Rag Joint R&R which you should get from their website that will clearly outline (with pictures) the procedure. Makes a big difference when you're done! Good luck.

Mar 28, 2005 | 01:47 AM

SLine78

Racer

Joined: Apr 2001

Posts: 395

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From: Shoreline WA

Jim Shea has a write-up on the corvettefaq.com on replacing the flex coupling.

http://www.corvettefaq.com/redir.asp?site=200

Mike

Mar 28, 2005 | 09:47 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

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From: Saginaw Michigan

The article in one of the Corvette magazines indicated that you can pry on the flexible coupling in order to gain clearance to remove it. It did not mention loosening the steering column or loosening the gear.

Prying on the flexible coupling will most likely cause the steering shaft to be forced back inside the steering column. Most mechanics will not notice that the shaft has moved. Now when a new flexible coupling is installed, it will be noticed that the coupling has to be "pulled" apart in order to span the distance from the gear to the steering column. This is not a good condition.

I strongly recommend that you do NOT pry on this connection in order to service it.

Mar 28, 2005 | 10:18 AM

GTR1999

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

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From: Connecticut, USA

You also have to remove the 12 pt bolt, there is a groove in the shaft the bolt fits into so just loosening it will not solve removing it.
Gary

Mar 28, 2005 | 10:25 AM

GDaina

Race Director

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 16,978

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From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio

Prying only Bubbatizes the operation, removing the steering column bolts to move the column back an inch seems the most sensible thing to do...or you can remove the steering box bolts, but handling that box is awkward and clumsy....

Mar 28, 2005 | 08:13 PM

ClockworkOrange

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 41

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From: Hamilton Ontario

Replacing he steering coupler

Mine was badly torn and the pins worn from having moved to far. the steering is very tight now but I had no other wear in the front end.

The part # is 7818568 and I paid 117.50 in Canada on May 18th.

You don't have to drop the steering column but you do have to remove the three bolts holding the steering box leaving the pitman arm attached. Don't take it out just remove those bolts, thats how I did it, my dad and I that is, on a hoist.

There is a master spline on the steering box and coupling so it only goes on in one way, don't force anything.