I am trying to get that old rag joint off. I have been soaking the bolts in Liquid wrench for a few days. Is it merely a case of pulling the four bolts and sliding the old unit out? Or do I need to drop the steering column or steering box? I hope this isn't going to turn into one of those jobs .....

Any advice? I have a 71 BB coupe.

Also in my quest to "tighten" up the steering I notice some play at my PCV, but I just replaced. Is this normal?

carbster09

 

You will need to drop the steering column or remove the steering box. Go for the column, it's fairly straightforward.

While you are at it replace the firewall seals for the steering column to prevent heat leakage into the interior.

 

You can do it without removing the column or box but I guess first you need to be able to lossen the bolts regardless of what you plan to do. Loosen and remove the bolts and slide the joint up the steering column shaft. You will have to use a chisel and carefully tap into the split area on each side of the joint to help loosen them on the shaft. Cleaning and oiling the exposed splined area on the column shaft will make this easier. Remove each half. To install, do the reverse. Slide the first half on, then the second, bolt the 2 together, then slide forward onto the steering gear shaft. Make sure your steering wheel is where you want it. It is a pain but doable. If you remove your column, you will have to be sure when you put it back that it is in correct alignment with the box.

 

Typically, there will not be sufficient clearance between the gear input shaft and the column shaft for you to be able to work the flexible coupling off of the gear input shaft. They were actually designed that way so that if someone (such as Bubba) left off one of the critical fasteners in that area, you would still not lose your steering.

Probably the most straight forward is to loosen and tip the gear to gain clearance. First remove the left wheel. Remove the two nuts and lock washers that hold the flex coupling to the column flange.
Remove the pinch bolt that holds the flex coupling to the gear.
Remove the pinch bolt that holds the column flange to the column shaft.
Use a large screwdriver to open up the pinch bolt slot on the flex coupling flange and the pinch bolt slot on the column flange.

Now remove two of the three bolts and nuts that hold the gear to the frame. Loosen the third bolt and tip the gear to gain clearance to pull the flex coupling off of the gear.

Look closely at your old flex coupling and compare it to the new one. (I have heard that some of the service couplings are machined backwards!) Look closely at the following picture.

Make sure that the flat that is machined inside the flex coupling flange is located the same as the picture. If it is not located as the picture shows, your steering wheel will be upside down.

When you install the new flex coupling. Make sure that it is slipped all the way on the gear input shaft. It should go all the way until it stops. (There is no adjustment here.) Tighten the pinch bolt.
Tip the gear back to its correct position while aligning and connecting the flex coupling to the column flange.
Attach the two nuts and lock washers that connect the flex coupling to the column flange.
Tighten the column flange pinch bolt.

If you decide to drop and pull back on the steering column, this paper takes you step by step through this procedure.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...rAdj19JA06.doc

It also contains a pretty good drawing as to how things go together.

Good luck,
Jim

 

Thanks guys I am going to tackle it at the weekend!

 

Do you have a new rag joint? Where did you get it? Most of the aftermarket ones out there are crap. I'd suggest going to your GM dealer to get one. They run about $90, but thats cheap insurance. Dont know about you, but I'd rather not loose my steering.

GM P/N: 7818568

 

You can order a new GM piece from GMpartsdirect.com for about $68.

 

Just bought mine from GMPartsDirect.com for $55.00, GM PART # 7818568. I believe shipping was $11.00. The dealerships will sell them to you, but they are $99.00.

 

I got a part from Mid America Corvette; it said it was OEM??

carbster

 

I just went and cancelled my order for a heater core from the dealer. GM direct had the same part for 60.00 less. They are GM parts correct?

 

Yes, they are GM parts from Chevrolet.

 

Vansteel sells one also, but not sure if a 'real' GM part.

 

Yes, as 'Scott Marzahl' said above, 'GM Parts from Chevrolet'. Same source that the dealer gets them from.

 

Wow! I'm glad I found this post. When I put my new rag joint in after a frame off the steering wheel was upside down! I thought it was me and that I had something off. I'm going to get a new joint to solve the problem.

 

jim shea, when it comes to steering stuff like this, you kick azz...

sometimes, it just the little shet....thanks..

 

I couldn't agree more!! Thanks Jim!

 

I just checked this part # - it is the flange - not the rag joint... can you comment? I tried to search for the rag joint, with no success..thanks

 

7818568 is the flexible coupling for the late 69 through 82 Corvettes with a manual gear with a flat on the input shaft at 12 o'clock (gear on center).

7806391 is the flexible coupling for the 68 and early 69 vettes with a manual gear with a full round serrated input shaft.

Both are still available through GM dealers and GMPartDirect.

The detachable steering column flange is 7807072. It is no longer listed at GMPartsDirect so I assume it is discontinued. You might still find it at dealerships who may still have it in stock.

Jim

 

THanks - will check out....