Installing new rag joint in a 1979 Corvette.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Independence Mo.
Installing new rag joint in a 1979 Corvette.
I just finished ordering a new rag joint for my 79. What my question is does anyone have any tips or suggestions to help me with this job. My service books leave a lot to the imagination about installing some parts. Thanks Gary B.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
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From: Missouri City Texas
My son and I replaced the rag joint on our 78 without major issues.
Purchased a a kit from local part store.
Used a thin wall socket to remove clamp bolt...(6 point socket will not work). We also marked orientation of the coupling to the shafts.
Removed 2 bolts that hold steering wheel to the dash, and removed the steering wheel keeper plate at the at the fire wall. With the coupling clamps loose, pull on the steering wheel until the coupling is removed from the shafts...use rust penitrant prior to pulling.
Once you have the coupling removed, you will need to grind off the rivet heads and knock the rivet bodys out of the coupling. Then remove the other bolts....pay attention to the orientation of the parts.
Clean and paint metal parts. Add new rag joint, and re-use the same shoulder bolts that you removed from the coupling. If you use the ones in the kit, and they are not shoulder bolts, use some loctite as they will not tighten correctly on the new rag joint. Install the stops provided in the kit, and reinstall the coupling. Align the flats on the coupling with the flats of the shaft. Re-install steering wheel.
Purchased a a kit from local part store.
Used a thin wall socket to remove clamp bolt...(6 point socket will not work). We also marked orientation of the coupling to the shafts.
Removed 2 bolts that hold steering wheel to the dash, and removed the steering wheel keeper plate at the at the fire wall. With the coupling clamps loose, pull on the steering wheel until the coupling is removed from the shafts...use rust penitrant prior to pulling.
Once you have the coupling removed, you will need to grind off the rivet heads and knock the rivet bodys out of the coupling. Then remove the other bolts....pay attention to the orientation of the parts.
Clean and paint metal parts. Add new rag joint, and re-use the same shoulder bolts that you removed from the coupling. If you use the ones in the kit, and they are not shoulder bolts, use some loctite as they will not tighten correctly on the new rag joint. Install the stops provided in the kit, and reinstall the coupling. Align the flats on the coupling with the flats of the shaft. Re-install steering wheel.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I replaced mine with a genuine Saginaw OEM steering coupler. You can buy an OEM rag joint for sixty to eighty dollars depending on where you shop. This is a critical component and in my opinion not a place to cheap out. I read some posts a few months ago that some Chinese copies were manufactured with the flats upside down on the coupler so when you installed the rag joint on a 69 to 82, your steering wheel was upside down!
Soak the old coupler with PB blaster for a few days beforehand, and unbolt and pull the steering wheel forward off the coupler as suggested in Jim Shea's articles. It really isnt that difficult to do.
Buy an OEM replacement part. Cheap insurance and peace of mind.
Just my 2 cents.
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