Rag Joint Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Rag Joint Question
Got my rag joint with metal coupler attached from Zip today. I haven't looked too much at the one on the car (other to see that it's super sloppy) but the one I got from zip has a red plastic spacer thing on one of the rivets. I'm going to replace it this weekend and I'll probably figure it out but wanted to get some advice first.
What is this red plastic thing and is it supposed to remain on the joint when installing it?
Sean
[Modified by sdotson, 5:15 PM 11/1/2001]
What is this red plastic thing and is it supposed to remain on the joint when installing it?
Sean
[Modified by sdotson, 5:15 PM 11/1/2001]
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Rag Joint Question (sdotson)
hey Sean...
Sorry I can't answer your question but could I ask you a favor?
The Rag Joint is also on my list of things to do this winter. If you have the time could you take some pics and do a step by step on how to knock this project out?
It's a common need of many C3's and I'm sure it would help many here-including myself! It would be a huge help!
Good luck on the job!
Mike
Sorry I can't answer your question but could I ask you a favor?
The Rag Joint is also on my list of things to do this winter. If you have the time could you take some pics and do a step by step on how to knock this project out?
It's a common need of many C3's and I'm sure it would help many here-including myself! It would be a huge help!
Good luck on the job!
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
Likes: 0
From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Rag Joint Question (Mike69)
hey Sean...
Sorry I can't answer your question but could I ask you a favor?
The Rag Joint is also on my list of things to do this winter. If you have the time could you take some pics and do a step by step on how to knock this project out?
It's a common need of many C3's and I'm sure it would help many here-including myself! It would be a huge help!
Good luck on the job!
Mike
Sorry I can't answer your question but could I ask you a favor?
The Rag Joint is also on my list of things to do this winter. If you have the time could you take some pics and do a step by step on how to knock this project out?
It's a common need of many C3's and I'm sure it would help many here-including myself! It would be a huge help!
Good luck on the job!
Mike
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 78
From: SoCal.
Re: Rag Joint Question (sdotson)
The way I understand that is supposed to work:
1. Install the rag joint.
2. Tighten up the column or gearbox.
3. Remove the spacer(s) there should be two.
You do not want the plane of the rag distorted; the spacers are there to keep things aligned.
Of course I did it backasswards.
George
1. Install the rag joint.
2. Tighten up the column or gearbox.
3. Remove the spacer(s) there should be two.
You do not want the plane of the rag distorted; the spacers are there to keep things aligned.
Of course I did it backasswards.
George
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Rag Joint Question (Koz)
Koz,
It's the strange coupling at the base of your steering column under the hood between the left front wheel well and the engine. It looks like it is sandwiching a "rag" between to metal flanges. Take a look, and you'll know it right away.
Jay :flag
It's the strange coupling at the base of your steering column under the hood between the left front wheel well and the engine. It looks like it is sandwiching a "rag" between to metal flanges. Take a look, and you'll know it right away.
Jay :flag
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: Rag Joint Question
OK, here are some photos
I have read about the spacers but I don't think this is one of them. I will do my best to document the change out. As for the steering column bushings, any chance I can change them out later or is it easier to do it all at the same time. Do you know if they are speciality items (Zip, CC etc..) or can you get them at Discount Auto, NAPA etc...?
I'll let you all know how it goes.
Sean
[Modified by sdotson, 8:21 PM 11/1/2001]
I have read about the spacers but I don't think this is one of them. I will do my best to document the change out. As for the steering column bushings, any chance I can change them out later or is it easier to do it all at the same time. Do you know if they are speciality items (Zip, CC etc..) or can you get them at Discount Auto, NAPA etc...?
I'll let you all know how it goes.
Sean
[Modified by sdotson, 8:21 PM 11/1/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Rag Joint Question (sdotson)
There should be two red spacers on the flexible coupling. The spacers will assist you in getting the steering column installed central to the steering gear (and the flexible coupling.) After everything is buttoned up, you pull the spacers off and throw them away. Go to http://www.corvettefaq.com and look under Suspension and Steering. There are three papers that should assist you. Look for:
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instructions - AIM Sheet
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pic (Shows the alignment spacer being removed)
Flex Coupling and Column Assembly Instructions - AIM Sheet
Flex Coupling Installation Instructions
Flex Coupling Pic (Shows the alignment spacer being removed)
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 1
Re: Rag Joint Question (sdotson)
Here is a pictorial of my replacement procedure (also on corvettefaq too)
-terry
http://www.bokonon.net/corvettefaq/c3/ragjoint.html
-terry
http://www.bokonon.net/corvettefaq/c3/ragjoint.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
From: Exiled Tampa Bay Misfit
Re: Rag Joint Question (terryrudy)
Thanks for the info. After my post I read up a bit more and saw that these are indeed spacers for alignment. But I only have one. Was I supposed to get two? Can I make due with one?
Thanks,
Sean
Thanks,
Sean
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Rag Joint Question (sdotson)
Sean,
If your steering column was originally aligned correctly to the steering gear, (i.e. the rivet pins are central to the slots in the column flange) you should be able to replace the flexible coupling and get the steering system back together with the alignment fairly close to original.
Take a good look at your new coupling installation. Are the riveted pins central in their slots? Then turn the steering wheel one quarter turn and look at the rivet pins again. Are they still centeral in the slots? If they are you are done. If the rivet pins are hitting the upper flange slots the only adjustment you can make is to the lower end of the steering column where it attaches to the floor. Make sure you check the rivet pin in one direction and also one quarter turn (90 degrees) from that location.
If your steering column was originally aligned correctly to the steering gear, (i.e. the rivet pins are central to the slots in the column flange) you should be able to replace the flexible coupling and get the steering system back together with the alignment fairly close to original.
Take a good look at your new coupling installation. Are the riveted pins central in their slots? Then turn the steering wheel one quarter turn and look at the rivet pins again. Are they still centeral in the slots? If they are you are done. If the rivet pins are hitting the upper flange slots the only adjustment you can make is to the lower end of the steering column where it attaches to the floor. Make sure you check the rivet pin in one direction and also one quarter turn (90 degrees) from that location.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Rag Joint Question (terryrudy)
Thanks for the link Terry! Looks like a pretty straight forward job. (prob shouldn't have said that!!!!)
Gordon! youre on when do you want to get started???? :cool:
Gordon! youre on when do you want to get started???? :cool:
