Rag Joint replacement?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Rag Joint replacement?
Years ago Flaming River used to have a rag joint replacement Stainless knuckle. Does anyone have a source or idea of where to get one these days. actually it is the size that is confusing as to which one to buy. My 1979 Vette.
3/4 - 3/4
1.0 - 3/4
13/16 - 3/4
Steering Universal Joints (flamingriver.com)
3/4 - 3/4
1.0 - 3/4
13/16 - 3/4
Steering Universal Joints (flamingriver.com)
Last edited by gkull; Jun 1, 2022 at 12:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
It measures at 9/16th into the steering box and 1 inch to the column. Off hand does anyone know the spline count? Like is it 26 spline like this part?
9/16"-26 X 1" DD STAINLESS STEEL U-JOINTSKU: FR2543DD
$126.57
9/16"-26 X 1" DD Stainless Steel U-Joint
9/16"-26 X 1" DD STAINLESS STEEL U-JOINTSKU: FR2543DD
$126.57
9/16"-26 X 1" DD Stainless Steel U-Joint
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
F.R. Tech support thinks that it is a 3/4 30 spline to 1 inch 48 spline. My calipers say that the input is 9/16th which could be correct since you crush it closed with a side bolt tightener.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
https://www.flamingriver.com/steerin...l-billet-joint
Sneaky EDIT: Column spline count is 1 inch 48 splines. @GTR1999 has the rest below.
Last edited by Bikespace; Jun 1, 2022 at 07:34 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm on my way over to Summit racing to pick up my Flaming River steering U-joint. Local parts store wanted $49.95 for the rag joint!
FR1734
$105.00
1"-48 X 3/4"-30 Universal Billet Joint
1"-48 X 3/4"-30 UNIVERSAL BILLET JOINT
SKUFR1734
$105.00
1"-48 X 3/4"-30 Universal Billet Joint
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 1,642
From: Fairfax Virginia
Are you planning on replacing the rag joint with the universal joint? It is from the looks of it a lot longer than the rag joint was. It is important to get a fresh one as some in the parts stores may have been there for decades.
I have the joint shown above in the Steeroids Power Rack and Pinion system.
The prices on EVERYTHING have gone ridiculous thanks to "Putin's war" (sleepy joe)..... The last time I bought a rag joint they were less than $25 and that was at a pricey NAPA because they stocked it.
I have the joint shown above in the Steeroids Power Rack and Pinion system.
The prices on EVERYTHING have gone ridiculous thanks to "Putin's war" (sleepy joe)..... The last time I bought a rag joint they were less than $25 and that was at a pricey NAPA because they stocked it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Are you planning on replacing the rag joint with the universal joint? It is from the looks of it a lot longer than the rag joint was. It is important to get a fresh one as some in the parts stores may have been there for decades.
I have the joint shown above in the Steeroids Power Rack and Pinion system.
The prices on EVERYTHING have gone ridiculous thanks to "Putin's war" (sleepy joe)..... The last time I bought a rag joint they were less than $25 and that was at a pricey NAPA because they stocked it.
I have the joint shown above in the Steeroids Power Rack and Pinion system.
The prices on EVERYTHING have gone ridiculous thanks to "Putin's war" (sleepy joe)..... The last time I bought a rag joint they were less than $25 and that was at a pricey NAPA because they stocked it.
Today the rag joint is $49.95 plus tax The FR ujoint was $119. You have to remove/rotate the steering box on the frame to get enough clearance to install either one.
I have nothing better to do today 😄
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Replacing the joint is a tuff job with big headers on. You have to remove the 3 steering boxes castle bolts. You need 9/16th box end wrench ratcheting and it's a PITA! 
Not for the average person. Probably almost better if the motor is out.
There are the same length. I actually replaced the rag joint when Gary rebuilt my stock steering box. Great job and nice work by Gary. years of road racing took it's toll. I just wanted total positive steering for driving and the rag joint doesn't do it. I should have done this years ago!
Not for the average person. Probably almost better if the motor is out.There are the same length. I actually replaced the rag joint when Gary rebuilt my stock steering box. Great job and nice work by Gary. years of road racing took it's toll. I just wanted total positive steering for driving and the rag joint doesn't do it. I should have done this years ago!
Last edited by gkull; Jun 2, 2022 at 08:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 113
From: Michigan
Zip Corvette also has the flaming river universal, I bought one this last winter from them. It was $95 back then tho, seems everything is getting more expensive.
Link https://www.zip-corvette.com/69l-82-...-x-3-4-30.html
When I looked on Summit back then they had a plain steel cheaper joint, SS joint, SS polished and Nickle plated, Zip's is the nickle plated.
Link https://www.zip-corvette.com/69l-82-...-x-3-4-30.html
When I looked on Summit back then they had a plain steel cheaper joint, SS joint, SS polished and Nickle plated, Zip's is the nickle plated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
When I did mine I dropped the steering column , pulled it back a few inches, and slipped the FR joint in with the motor in. Don't remember any major problems,....
Been in for years and the steering feel is solid.
Been in for years and the steering feel is solid.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
You should read through this before doing the job of replacing the rag joint. I have a bunch of these things like the chevy power book downloaded
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v28jl20091.pdf
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...v28jl20091.pdf
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 490
Likes: 99
From: The South
So what are the drawbacks of using the Flaming River joint over a stock style one? Are there increased vibrations transmitted through the steering since there is no longer a rubber coupler (especially on a manual steering setup)? I need to replace my coupler (Gary rebuilt my steering box and it made a tremendous difference) and want to consider all options.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
So what are the drawbacks of using the Flaming River joint over a stock style one? Are there increased vibrations transmitted through the steering since there is no longer a rubber coupler (especially on a manual steering setup)? I need to replace my coupler (Gary rebuilt my steering box and it made a tremendous difference) and want to consider all options.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
The steering box is mounted to the frame, and the steering column is mounted to the fiberglass body. There is some movement, which the rag joint can accommodate.
That said, I have Flaming River U-Joints in both of my C3s. One has a Borgeson box, one has @GTR1999 rebuilt manual steering.
That said, I have Flaming River U-Joints in both of my C3s. One has a Borgeson box, one has @GTR1999 rebuilt manual steering.