Is the rag joint used in our cars different from the one used in other GM products through the years? I need to change out the one on my '80 and I hate to even start looking. I bought one from a supporting vendor over a year ago, but I've heard so much about the bad reproductions out there that I hesitate to install it.

I know that just mentioning "Corvette" when searching automatically doubles or triples the price, but if it also fits a 1974 Impala or a light duty truck then that might make the search more productive (and cheaper).

I don't have an interchange manual so I ask those more informed than myself.

 

The ones available will work...but are NOT the exact same.

I know someone who is trying to have them reproduced exactly...but I have not talked with him to see how that is coming.

DUB

 

That would be great for us all if someone would.

 

After an exploding heater hose (with me looking at it)......a "brand new" 16 year old front tire about to pop on the 2nd trial-run at 60 mph...

I won't be going ANYWHERE until that 46 year-old manual-steering raggedy rag-joint is replaced (aftermarket trumps "Afterlife" )!

 

I wish that I had good wise words on the flexible coupling assembly subject - but I don't.

General Motors stopped servicing the flexible coupling for Corvette a couple years ago. Your best bet is to search out an OEM replacement part if you can find one. A basic problem is that steering gears through the years had different design input shafts. Therefore the bowtie flange on the flexible coupling had different sizes and shapes to fit.

Different steering gears (i.e. power, manual, etc) had different input shaft sizes and also different number of splines. Also some gear input shafts were full round shape later input shafts had a machined flat. So you cannot just go to a salvage yard and find just any flexible coupling assembly that will fit your Corvette steering gear.

If your Corvette is a 1967 thru early 1969 your gear had a 3/4 full round input shaft with 36 splines. If you can find a 5699250 or a 7806391 Flange and Coupling Assembly these two might fit.

If your Corvette is a 1969 late thru 1982 your gear had a 3/4 input shaft with a flat and 30 splines. Here are the GM part numbers for Flange and Coupling Assemblies that might work; 7808553, 7813351, or 7818568. All of these should bolt right into your car.

Jim

 

Thank you Jim. That helps me tremendously.

 

When I had my engine out of my 80, I also wanted to replace the worn out rag joint. Silly me, I bought a repair kit from Ecklers that didn't match up. I searched forever and even considered going with a universal instead of the rag joint. I finally ordered a rag joint assembly from Paragon. I remember I had issues with the bolts and I believe I used the original bolts with new nuts (maybe stainless locks). I know Dorman makes replacement rag joints and Summit has one listed that is "suppose" to fit.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rn...model/corvette.

Sorry that I didn't take better notes when I did mine, I do remember that it was a real pain.