Recalcitrant rag joint
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Recalcitrant rag joint
OK, I have a brand new GM rag joint and a freshly refurbished steering gear. Here's my problem. The rag joint doesn't want to go onto the shaft... it's really, really tight. Any tips for getting this puppy installed?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: Recalcitrant rag joint (zymurgist)
i take two screwdrivers and expand it a bit...
the pinch bolt will hold it on all right...dont worry about itl...
just dont enlarge it 5 inches or something heheheh :lol: :lol: :lol:
the pinch bolt will hold it on all right...dont worry about itl...
just dont enlarge it 5 inches or something heheheh :lol: :lol: :lol:
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 514
Likes: 44
From: Toronto Ont
Re: Recalcitrant rag joint (zymurgist)
I've been thinking of replacing my rag joint as well, after reading an article in a recent corvette fever magazine. It was maybe 3 or 4 months ago and they had a detailed description of how to replace it and what to do with rag joints that were stubborn. Maybe someone else on the forum can help with info on the issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Recalcitrant rag joint (zymurgist)
First of all make sure that you have the correct flexible coupling for the correct gear. Your gear should have a 3/4 diameter input shaft with about 25 actual serrations on a theoretical 30 base. There should be a circular groove around the middle of the serrations for the flexible coupling pinch bolt and a flat machined on the shaft.
Your flexible coupling should be GM part number 7818568. It should be the same 3/4 flange with 15 actual serrations on that same 30 base. It should have a matching flat perpendicular to the pinch bolt.
The reason I am going to these lengths to explain the shape of the 1969 through 1982 gear input shaft and the appropriate flexible coupling is that from 1963 and up until early 1969 there was not a flat on the gear or coupling. A coupling with a flat will not attach to a input shaft without a flat.
Assuming you have the correct parts, you should be able to take a large screwdriver and force it into the pinch bolt slot. You should only have to "spring" the flange open a very small amount to make it slip easily onto the gear shaft.
Hope this helps.
Your flexible coupling should be GM part number 7818568. It should be the same 3/4 flange with 15 actual serrations on that same 30 base. It should have a matching flat perpendicular to the pinch bolt.
The reason I am going to these lengths to explain the shape of the 1969 through 1982 gear input shaft and the appropriate flexible coupling is that from 1963 and up until early 1969 there was not a flat on the gear or coupling. A coupling with a flat will not attach to a input shaft without a flat.
Assuming you have the correct parts, you should be able to take a large screwdriver and force it into the pinch bolt slot. You should only have to "spring" the flange open a very small amount to make it slip easily onto the gear shaft.
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: Recalcitrant rag joint (Jim Shea)
The reason I am going to these lengths to explain the shape of the 1969 through 1982 gear input shaft and the appropriate flexible coupling is that from 1963 and up until early 1969 there was not a flat on the gear or coupling. A coupling with a flat will not attach to a input shaft without a flat.
