Ragjoint question
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
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From: Port Washington Wi
Ragjoint question
Steering on my '79 is a little sloppy and I'm would like to tighten it up. I've seen numerous posts that reccomend replacement of the ragjoint as a cure. My question is what exactly wears on the joint? Is it the bolts, the holes in the flange?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
You need to either move the steering column partially back into the cabin or unbolt the steering box and move it out of the way to replace the rag joint. Don't rebuild it, replace it. You may also want to take a look at your steering box lubrication, bearing end play and worm gear lash adjustments as well.
I had 6" of play in either direction when I bought the car. Now that I have replaced the rag joint, lubed the steering box and made the steering box adjustments there is no longer any play.
Replacing the rag joint and making the steering box adjustments is also a good opportunity to align the steering system and steering wheel as well.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
I had 6" of play in either direction when I bought the car. Now that I have replaced the rag joint, lubed the steering box and made the steering box adjustments there is no longer any play.
Replacing the rag joint and making the steering box adjustments is also a good opportunity to align the steering system and steering wheel as well.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4
Last edited by 08vycpe; Apr 9, 2009 at 05:01 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
watch it while somebody turns your steering wheel back and forth and see if thats where your slop is.. I would think there would be more chance the slop would be in the steering gear.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
If the metal parts of the ragjoint are in good shape, just change out the fiber flex 'donut'. There are suppliers that sell just those. It is normally the only thing that wears out. The two bolts going through the fiber washer are of different size, so keep track of which goes where and rebuild it the same way. You will have to completely remove the locking bolts from the flanges to remove them from their shafts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
The problem that I find with most rebuild "kits" is that the supplied bolts are not shoulder bolts like the original. You should never make a critical bolted connection through rubber. You need a metal to metal connection to be secure.
Even if you double nut; use torque prevailing nuts; Loctite the connection; etc, the rubber relaxes with time and the connection will loosen.
Be sure to use the nuts, bolts, and lockwashers that came with your original assembly regardless as to how rusty they might be. They are shoulder bolts.
One other thing, all of the rebuild "kits" that I have examined do not provide a method of electrical grounding through the rubber disc. You may note that your original disc has sharp metal screening sticking out from the edge of the disc. The metal screening was not for strength but actually conducted electrical current across the disc for your horn. Very early flex coupling assemblies (1963-1971) actually had a ground strap or wire that circled around the inside "donut hole" in the rubber disc.
If at all possible, I recommend that you purchase a NOS or an OEM replacement flexible coupling.
Jim
Even if you double nut; use torque prevailing nuts; Loctite the connection; etc, the rubber relaxes with time and the connection will loosen.
Be sure to use the nuts, bolts, and lockwashers that came with your original assembly regardless as to how rusty they might be. They are shoulder bolts.
One other thing, all of the rebuild "kits" that I have examined do not provide a method of electrical grounding through the rubber disc. You may note that your original disc has sharp metal screening sticking out from the edge of the disc. The metal screening was not for strength but actually conducted electrical current across the disc for your horn. Very early flex coupling assemblies (1963-1971) actually had a ground strap or wire that circled around the inside "donut hole" in the rubber disc.
If at all possible, I recommend that you purchase a NOS or an OEM replacement flexible coupling.
Jim
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Jim is correct, use a new GM rag while you can still get them. I've seen many of the kits and aftermarket joints sold. Corvette steering is the only place that I would trust with a rebuilt joint as he suppplies many of the vendors. Some of the rags sold are so flimsy they offer worse feel then a worn out one, others had the D flat 180* off. Spend the $100 on this part.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Not true 7T1Vette. You will not find a metal connection between adjacent quadrants of a flexible coupling assembly unless it has the screen face on the disc or it has a internal strap or wire. A metal connection between opposite quadrants will not get electrical current from one flange to the other.
Jim
Jim
