Rag joint replacement
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,721
Likes: 1,625
From: Fairfax Virginia
When mine went bad I soaked it with a good penetrating oil and waited a while and it came off with very little persuasion. If you can change the spark plugs then you should be probably able to get that rag joint parts off the steering shafts. Starting with a Hot Air gun I heat the parts above and below and afterwards spray the oil into the joints while it is still hot. Spraying the parts from below with penetrating oil works well as the oil gets drawn into the joint as it cools back down. If the hot air gun doesn't do it then move to another hotter source. I did mine when my 1968 was fairly new to me. It was obvious it needed to be replaced so I bought a NAPA replacement and it was a snap to put back in. Using minimal tools I was able to replace mine pretty quickly but then mine was not stuck, just rotted away.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I did it years ago also and was no problem. If the locating pins can unscrew then I can slide a new coupling disc in and I think that is how I did it last time.
I watched 2 guys doing it on youtube and one guy totally removed the steering box to get clearance and the other guy used a vibrating hammer tool to ram one side up the steering shaft to get clearance. Both methods looked like a lot of work and not the intended method.
I watched 2 guys doing it on youtube and one guy totally removed the steering box to get clearance and the other guy used a vibrating hammer tool to ram one side up the steering shaft to get clearance. Both methods looked like a lot of work and not the intended method.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
ive done 2 and they werent as bad as they initially seemed. also consider how easy it is to remove the steering column for more room to get things on and off. in my car it was 4 bolts and some wiring harness plugs and a cable.
chances are your lower colunm bearing need replacement or at least a good greasing anyway. Mine were shot and I just replaced them while doing my borgeson upgrade.
chances are your lower colunm bearing need replacement or at least a good greasing anyway. Mine were shot and I just replaced them while doing my borgeson upgrade.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
The directions say to just grind off the locating pins if they are stuck on but that is a little difficult for positioning the saw. So maybe removing the steering column is the easiest route!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Also, be careful about banging the shaft up towards the steering wheel or you will collapse it.
As others have said, lots of info here.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,353
Likes: 1,054
From: Virginia USA
I believe some of the aftermarket parts have material that the "rag" part is made of has metal strands in it like a steel belted radial which may be enough for a good ground OR GM changed it over the years.
I Remember when I did mine the ground was mentioned in the procedure I had at the time. This was when the Internet was dial up and not much information.
I Remember when I did mine the ground was mentioned in the procedure I had at the time. This was when the Internet was dial up and not much information.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Making progress... I got the steering column removed but was only able to move it back about an inch because of a rusty nut on the floor board that was only able to unscrew to the end of the threads. Then the stem started spinning with it. The other side did not even have a nut on it. But it was enough to squeeze out the rag joint. And I need to order a new one because this one can't be repaired with the basic repair kit I have.
Last edited by CiCiC3; Aug 6, 2024 at 03:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 218
Making progress... I got the steering column removed but was only able to move it back about an inch because of a rusty nut on the floor board that was only able to unscrew to the end of the threads. Then the stem started spinning with it. The other side did not even have a nut on it. But it was enough to squeeze out the rag joint. And I need to order a new one because this one can't be repaired with the basic repair kit I have.
I don't know how I could repair the floor board with one of the threads being apparently broke off due to rust. I suppose I'll just have the one side bolted down at the firewall. Can you get replacement parts for that?
I don't know how I could repair the floor board with one of the threads being apparently broke off due to rust. I suppose I'll just have the one side bolted down at the firewall. Can you get replacement parts for that?
Thanks, Grant
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 86
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Those look much like the one I just took off. Except new I mean. They look great but I ordered one before your message and it should arrive tomorrow. If it looks too goofy I may not use it but I’m in a bit of a hurry to get this finished up. I’ll decide later and let you know. There is another guy who said he is looking for an original’72 after he saw your message the other day. Thx for posting it though.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I did use the one I ordered and have it installed working great. I'm surprised at how that cleared up the slop I had in steering and why it made such a difference when the old joint was not looking all that bad. Thanks for tip on the steering column pull that was much easier.