Rag Joint

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Oct 24, 2003 | 08:13 PM

mikes1973rdstr

Thread Starter

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 31

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From: charlestown in

Rag Joint

Any tips out there on getting the steering rag joint off? There doesn't seem to be room to get it off between the steering gear and steering wheel shaft.

Oct 24, 2003 | 08:28 PM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 112

From: Saginaw Michigan

Re: Rag Joint (mikes1973rdstr)

You have to remove the three frame bolts and let the gear drop a bit in order to gain clearance.

Or you can remove the two vertical under dash bolts and the two nuts that hold the lower end of the column and carefully pull it back into the passenger compartment to gain the clearance.

I don't recommend using a pry bar to collapse the steering shaft back into the steering column to gain that clearance.

Oct 24, 2003 | 08:45 PM

NHvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 8,339

Likes: 24

From: I can walk to MA

Re: Rag Joint (Jim Shea)

Take Jim's advice and don't mess up the steering column.

I dropped my column when I pulled it out, and the rag joint was
rusted on to both ends pretty good. With the column hanging to the floor, I
still needed a pry bar to slide it off.

Good luck :seeya

Oct 24, 2003 | 08:50 PM

redwingvette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 3,681

Likes: 200

From: Waterford Mi

Re: Rag Joint (NHvette)

Spray the shafts with PB Blaster and use a prybar to spread the joints so they will move on the shafts easily. Drop the gear box down to get the clearence needed.
Good Luck

Oct 25, 2003 | 09:32 AM

Frankenvette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 3,030

Likes: 17

From: White Pine / Dandridge TN

Re: Rag Joint (mikes1973rdstr)

FYI...don't use the el chepo rag joint you pick up at the auto parts store in the help section. Pay the money to get a high quality oem repro. I installed the chepo, and its not the same. Its more rubbery. I plan to replace with a quality repro.

Oct 25, 2003 | 09:52 AM

Jack71

Drifting

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 1,427

Likes: 1

From: Boxford Mass

Re: Rag Joint (Frankenvette)

You can still get the original GM part. Its rivoted right in there like the original one. Saw that & it made me happy. You can probably find the part# in archives.

Oct 25, 2003 | 11:52 AM

l2vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 2,372

Likes: 227

From: N Cal

Re: Rag Joint (Jack71)

I agree!! Get the GM replacement, it is worth the money to do right the first time with quality parts. I dropped my steering box and the new rag joint went it very easy!

Quote:

You can still get the original GM part. Its rivoted right in there like the original one. Saw that & it made me happy. You can probably find the part# in archives.

Oct 25, 2003 | 02:24 PM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 112

From: Saginaw Michigan

Re: Rag Joint (l2vette)

If you have a 1968 or a early 1969 Vette you should purchase 7806391 Flexible Coupling. These early C3s had the gear input shaft with serrations all the way around the shaft.

If you have a late 1969 through 1982 Vette you should purchase 7813568 Flexible Coupling. These Vettes have the gear input shaft with serrations but there is also a flat machined on one side. This flex coupling has a matching flat.