Swapping steering columns...rag joint question?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
Swapping steering columns...rag joint question?
How do I disconnect the rag joint on my 72? I know to note orientation so the steering wheel is positioned correctly, but does the rag joint come apart in "halves" or what??
Installing a tilt/tele!! Are the rag joints DIFFERENT from standard vs tilt??? or can I reuse my current one??
Thanks,
Rob
Installing a tilt/tele!! Are the rag joints DIFFERENT from standard vs tilt??? or can I reuse my current one??
Thanks,
Rob
Last edited by MakoShark72; Sep 2, 2008 at 06:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
There all the same, you can reuse them, but if it's worn i'd get a new one. Only use a genuine GM part here, they are still available from GM, i believe.
Last edited by RunningMan373; Sep 2, 2008 at 07:06 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
getting started on the swap already? all right!
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
getting started on the swap already? all right!
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
Rob
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
getting started on the swap already? all right!
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
there's 2 pins and 2 bolts if you take the 2 bolts off then the column will seperate from the rest. then you'll have to remove the piece that goes on the splines of the column to swap to the other column.
BTW- wtf's up with that last picture runningman?
Humorous break....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
you have to remove it. You will have to pull the column back into the car a couple of inches first though. A large flat blade can be inserted in the groove and turned sideways. There is also a 'lip' at the end for some reason. It will bind here a bit. you should be able to just make it out in the out of focus photo. C.
On a removal note,, first take apart the rag joint, then remove the trans lock out cable from the engines side firewall plate and shaft pin, then remove the two nuts on the inside (interior) fire wall plate. One bolt comes out, the other in fixed into the firewall engine side plate, rotate the plate around the engine side of the steering column, ~180°, till you can remove the plate. then undo the 2 hold up bolts (15lbs torque is all, on reinstall < check this) inside the dash and have a friend guide it through the cut-out. undo Battery first and unplug harmonica connector on column before you start.
On a removal note,, first take apart the rag joint, then remove the trans lock out cable from the engines side firewall plate and shaft pin, then remove the two nuts on the inside (interior) fire wall plate. One bolt comes out, the other in fixed into the firewall engine side plate, rotate the plate around the engine side of the steering column, ~180°, till you can remove the plate. then undo the 2 hold up bolts (15lbs torque is all, on reinstall < check this) inside the dash and have a friend guide it through the cut-out. undo Battery first and unplug harmonica connector on column before you start.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
you have to remove it. You will have to pull the column back into the car a couple of inches first though. A large flat blade can be inserted in the groove and turned sideways. There is also a 'lip' at the end for some reason. It will bind here a bit. you should be able to just make it out in the out of focus photo. C.
On a removal note,, first take apart the rag joint, then remove the trans lock out cable from the engines side firewall plate and shaft pin, then remove the two nuts on the inside (interior) fire wall plate. One bolt comes out, the other in fixed into the firewall engine side plate, rotate the plate around the engine side of the steering column, ~180°, till you can remove the plate. then undo the 2 hold up bolts (15lbs torque is all, on reinstall < check this) inside the dash and have a friend guide it through the cut-out. undo Battery first and unplug harmonica connector on column before you start.
On a removal note,, first take apart the rag joint, then remove the trans lock out cable from the engines side firewall plate and shaft pin, then remove the two nuts on the inside (interior) fire wall plate. One bolt comes out, the other in fixed into the firewall engine side plate, rotate the plate around the engine side of the steering column, ~180°, till you can remove the plate. then undo the 2 hold up bolts (15lbs torque is all, on reinstall < check this) inside the dash and have a friend guide it through the cut-out. undo Battery first and unplug harmonica connector on column before you start.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
