How do you STRECH a rag joint?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
How do you STRECH a rag joint?
I have a new flaming river sterring box, and a new GM rag joint. however the rag joint only mates with 1/8" of the splines on either end (not safe in my opnion). How do I strech out/bend the new rag material so the joint mates with more of the splines on either end?
IM stummped and need help from my fellow vetters
thx
chad
IM stummped and need help from my fellow vetters
thx
chad
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Re: How do you STRECH a rag joint? (comp)
you shouldn't have to PULL into alignment, my 2 cents
The sterring box is held on by 3 bolts and is un adjustable.
the colum has some adjustment in the cab of the car
(picture from a different post)
but ill only gain 1/8"
to do it right ill need 1"
My old rag joint looks like a "W" and that how it was able to work.
Of ocourse my shiny new rag joint is flat.
two questions:
A: how/when can you tell if the sterring colum is fully extended. If it needs more length what is the proper way to do so?
B: are there any more adjustable parts in this chain that Im missing?
thx for your help
chad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: How do you STRECH a rag joint? (71'AirStrike)
Most likely the steering shaft has been collapsed a small amount into your steering column. The shaft should be sticking out of the lower column bearing by 4.5 inches. Also, another check on the connection is that the gap between the steering column shaft and the gear input shaft should be a nominal 1.0 inch with a maximum of 1.3 inches.
The steering column shaft is designed to telescope and protect the driver in the event of a severe frontal collision. The shaft is made in two pieces and is secured at a fixed length by injected plastic. The plastic is sheared when the shaft telescopes.
You should be able to pull the shaft back out to the 4.5 inch length. Some people have attached the flange to the shaft in order to have a better surface to grip while forcing the shaft back out.
The steering column shaft is designed to telescope and protect the driver in the event of a severe frontal collision. The shaft is made in two pieces and is secured at a fixed length by injected plastic. The plastic is sheared when the shaft telescopes.
You should be able to pull the shaft back out to the 4.5 inch length. Some people have attached the flange to the shaft in order to have a better surface to grip while forcing the shaft back out.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Re: How do you STRECH a rag joint? (goofygrin)
Ah HA! THATS the info that I needed
thank you Jim, Russell, Sean and 427V8 for your help.
this is what makes the Corvette Forum great!
cheers
chad
thank you Jim, Russell, Sean and 427V8 for your help.
this is what makes the Corvette Forum great!
cheers
chad
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Nashville Tn. U.S.A. Tn.
Re: How do you STRECH a rag joint? (71'AirStrike)
If the car is up on jack stands PUT IT BACK ON THE GROUND roll car back and forth bounce it at the same time FIXED MY problem frame flex :cool: ask me how i know :smash:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,218
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Re: How do you STRECH a rag joint? (1yy07)
ya know I spent HOURS on the stering colum lastnight. I couldent get it any longer to save my life.
I got the rag joint on this morning with some MAJOR BUBBA work. Its is border line safe or not to drive great distance.
I have been concerned cuz Ive got a big fun cruse this weekend that I HAVE to get her running by friday night.
I been wonder what to do...
YESSSSSS!! that it. WOO HOO she is on jack stands for a speed bleeder swapout.
now I cant wait to get home to try it out.
I got the rag joint on this morning with some MAJOR BUBBA work. Its is border line safe or not to drive great distance.
I have been concerned cuz Ive got a big fun cruse this weekend that I HAVE to get her running by friday night.
I been wonder what to do...
If the car is up on jack stands PUT IT BACK ON THE GROUND roll car back and forth bounce it at the same time FIXED MY problem frame flex :cool: ask me how i know :smash:
now I cant wait to get home to try it out.
