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'68 steering rag joint spacing - is this a problem?
resurrecting a '68 convertible - manual steering (no tilt), manual brakes, 327 + m20 4 speed.
The gap between the steering shaft and steering box, which rag joint must straddle, looks to me like it could be a problem. The steering shaft clamp of the rag joint is at the very end of the shaft. Is there anything adjustable about this shaft on a non-tilt setup? I see some sort of clamp upstream on the steering shaft, but don't know its purpose.
I would say that is outright dangerous. Has it been driven around much like that? It suggests that the steering column has been collapsed for some reason or is mounted wrong.
kudos to MelWff for the treasure trove of info which is all brand new territory for me.
Jim Shea seems to be a steering god - his braindump library can be found here (I just downloaded the zip format, then unzipped - and my computer has not crashed yet): https://archive.org/details/corvettefaq
sounds like my column may be a bit collapsed, and it might be possible for me to "draw it down..." we shall see
As an example, I've attached Jim Shea overview docs on 67 & 68 non-tilt steering column diagnosis, repair, etc. This is just one of hundreds of documents in the zip archive - it may not be the latest/greatest, whatever, but it has put me miles ahead of where I was at the start of today.
Sounds like I've got one of those "one-of-a-kind" transition year situations with my 68 steering column.
Last edited by h16; Apr 1, 2025 at 05:21 PM.
Reason: wrong attachment first go-round
Your picture shows the exposed flat on the column. There is a pinch bolt that ride there. It appears to be correct. The rag is not distorted into an "S" bend and is flat as it should be.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
That doesnt appear to be a 68 steering box. It should have a complete groove that goes 360 around the splines. The pinch bolt rides in it to lock it in. The upper spline has a straight cut so it acts as a key way on the column shaft.
Its a 68 only box on a C3 but its the same as a c2 box
FYI,
All 63-82 boxes have the 360* groove in the worm ball screw input end. The 63-E69 used a full 3/4-36 spline, the L69-82 use a 3/4- 30 spline with a D-Flat.
The 68 box used the same round input as the previous years, the cover is iron and used from 66-68. The 63 cover was different, the 64 mid 66 covers were the same buy different from the 66-68. The 63 Grand Sport was completely different.
The box shown in the rag joint picture has an iron cover, the input groove can't be seen since the rag and pinch bolt are in place.
'68 steering rag joint spacing - is this a problem?
