Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment?
I haven't been happy with the gap in the two halves of my steering rag joint - the rag part isn't straight, it's pulled somewhat. I loosened the two big bolts under the dash and couldn't move the column forward. I looked thru the AIM and it doesn't show a forward-back adjustment, just up and down (I think). Any ideas? Joe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment? (R. Bruno)
I took issue with this month's Corvette Fever article. I think what you have is a steering column steering shaft that is collapsed somewhat up into the column. The energy absorbing steering column has a steering shaft that is made in two pieces. The two pieces are flatted and are very precision fit. There is even plastic injected at the junction of the two pieces to keep them locked at the correct length and to prevent any rattling. If the steering shaft has been collapsed there is no danger of losing your steering. You probably will never even feel any looseness.
The exposed amount of steering shaft sticking out from the end of the steering column should be 4.5 inches. Also the gap between the end of the column steering shaft to the tip of the steering gear input shaft should be 1.3 inches.
I understand that you can lock onto the column steering shaft with a vise grips and tap on the grips with a hammer to get the shaft to pull out of the column.
Hope this helps.
The exposed amount of steering shaft sticking out from the end of the steering column should be 4.5 inches. Also the gap between the end of the column steering shaft to the tip of the steering gear input shaft should be 1.3 inches.
I understand that you can lock onto the column steering shaft with a vise grips and tap on the grips with a hammer to get the shaft to pull out of the column.
Hope this helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Re: Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment? (joe73vette)
...the rag part isn't straight, it's pulled somewhat.... Any ideas? Joe
Based on Jim Shea's postings, I checked my column. I am in spec with regards to the steering column shaft-to-bearing distance of 4.5 inches, but I'm out of spec with the end of the steering shaft to end of steering input gear shaft of 1.3 inches. I'm closer to 2 inches.
I checked a buddy's 72. There's a bit more than a finger's worth of flat showing on the steering column shaft where the flange pinches. I ended up tapping the flange out to the end of the steering column - a bit far for my comfort (but I'll try to NOT think about it), but the pinch bolt is still over the end of the steering column and is not pinching air.
So, getting the column perfectly lined up, and squeezing with some robo-grip pliers, I can get the nuts on the flexible couplings studs through the steering column flange.
Hopfully your flexible coupling isn't pulled more than it's thickness - I don't know what an unacceptable amount of pull is, but this would most likely shorten its life. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment? (mayberg)
There are serrations around the end of the column shaft. There is a notch milled along the serrations on one side. The pinch bolt must go through the notch. As long as you have a tightened pinch bolt crossing through the notch you will have a secure connection.
Unless your Corvette was in a frontal collision sometime in the past, I can't explain why you seem to have excessive distance between the ends of your two shafts.
You are correct that pulling the flex coupling apart by some amount will shorten its life. The important thing is that the parts aren't pulled apart to the point where the stop pins are no longer extending into the windows on the column flange. Those stop pins are basically safety stops to insure that you always have steering integrity regardless of the condition of the rubber coupling disc.
Unless your Corvette was in a frontal collision sometime in the past, I can't explain why you seem to have excessive distance between the ends of your two shafts.
You are correct that pulling the flex coupling apart by some amount will shorten its life. The important thing is that the parts aren't pulled apart to the point where the stop pins are no longer extending into the windows on the column flange. Those stop pins are basically safety stops to insure that you always have steering integrity regardless of the condition of the rubber coupling disc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Re: Steering Rag Joint Gap Adjustment? (Jim Shea)
The important thing is that the parts aren't pulled apart to the point where the stop pins are no longer extending into the windows on the column flange.
