Thanks for the pic kodpkd, your pic appears exactly as does mine. My question relates to the column ground that I understand is needed for the gauges to work. So, I placed a ground bridge wire under one nut from one of the two steering box ears and under one nut to the steering column flange. I don't see one in your pic, so maybe I was misled to believe this ground was necessary. If this ground is unnecessary, it makes my concern a moot point and I am good to go. If the ground is unnecessary, then my need for a column u-joint is also unnecessary. My believing a column ground is necessary sure complicated things. I already have a ground in place made from a piece of flat copper sheet, but became concerned that over time the slight flexing of the copper as the steering wheel turns would fracture my solid copper strap. Remember, the steering box and steering column is not is perfect alignment. If the rag joint is not installed properly and with a solid connection, the steering wheel will bind and not turn due to this misalignment. The constant flexing, due to this slight misalignment, could fracture a ground connection over time and my concern. Please let me know if the ground bridge is not necessary for the gauges to work?

 

I have an Ididit column so not sure a ground is necessary for my setup. If it is necessary you could use a braided strap from the bolt heat on the column side to the nut on the box side. This wouldn't interfere with the joint at all. My column to box joint isn't aligned either and it doesn't bind. The disk in the joint is designed to flex and take up the angle.

 

If you have a misalignment, you need to use a ujoint and not a rag joint. With a ujoint you don’t need the ground as the ujoint is not insulated electrically.

 

In a C3 if you have a stock or Borgeson steering box there won't be a misalignment that requires a U joint.

 

I would not assume that all C3s are exactly the same.

 

Thanks for the response guys! That braided ground strap would reduce or eliminate the cracking of my copper shim stock ground strap I made. It is my opinion that all C-3 steering box to steering columns are in slight misalignment, but the rag joints provide an adjustment for it and avoids binding of the steering system. Notice that the rag joint acts as a buffer between the two and permits a little forgiveness in angle misalignment. Also, note that the factory provided a metal ground strap that bridged the two fasteners connecting the column and box. Yes, a u-joint would eliminate the need of a ground strap, but where to source one that is compatible? As mentioned, the rag joint from the factory was designed to compensate for the slight angle misalignment from car to car.

At this point, I will not be using a u-joint, but only because the 48 splines on the column side is not compatible and will not work. I called Borgeson tech and that is how many splines their u-joint has. I know it will not work, as I have a steering box u-joint from another manufacturer with 48 splines on the column side and it does not work. Thanks again for the responses, I feel I now have had my questions answered and can move forward with confidence!