Steering coupling disk and donut question.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba N/A
Steering coupling disk and donut question.
OK, th odd disk of rubber bolts and metal above my steering box is falling apart and alowing for much extra play in my steering ( nearly 4 inches). I have been to the Marine corp base auto hobby center and done searches on the forum. I need to know what this part is called. Donut or coupling disk or steerinf coupling. It s the unit that goes right into the teering box right? Looks like you have to unbolt the steering box , move it forward and put this rubber donut thingy on to the shaft. Should I go with the GM part or will any NAPA,Checkers donut be fine?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (sharkthehunter77)
rag joint?
69-82 COLUMN COUPLER-LOWER W/RAG JOINT
Steering column couplers attach column shaft to steering box shaft. Lower flanges are original GM style with metal reinforced rag joint.
[Modified by MNJack, 8:24 PM 3/2/2004]
69-82 COLUMN COUPLER-LOWER W/RAG JOINT
Steering column couplers attach column shaft to steering box shaft. Lower flanges are original GM style with metal reinforced rag joint.
[Modified by MNJack, 8:24 PM 3/2/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
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From: Boxford Mass
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (MNJack)
I would purchase the GM rag joint. Part number 7818568. It is available from any GM dealer or from http://www.gmpartsdirect.com The pinch bolts are 7807271.
I didn't have any luck with the kit, it wore out quickly. The GM one comes with those alignment tabs.
I didn't have any luck with the kit, it wore out quickly. The GM one comes with those alignment tabs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (sharkthehunter77)
The part that connects your steering gear to your steering column is technically called a flexible steering shaft coupling assembly. (aka rag joint). Your original flex coupling was assembled with a rubber disc that consists of 7 alternating rubber and cotton cloth laminations. It is permanently attached to the steering gear flange with two stop pins that have been hot staked inplace on the flange.
I assume that you own a 1977 Vette from your signature.
I strongly recommend that you purchase an original equipment flexible coupling assembly from a GM dealer (1969-1982 #7818568) or from many Corvette suppliers such as Zip Products in the Corvette Mall. The part is fairly expensive.
I do not recommend the bolt-together "kit" because first of all the rubber replacement disc has only 4 laminations of rubber and cloth. This disc will result in the flex coupling assembly that will have more deflection than the original disc with 7 laminations. Your steering will not be as crisp with the 4 lamination disc as compared to the original 7 laminations. Also the bolt- together stop pins in the kit will not be as rigid or secure as the original hot staked stop pins.
I assume that you own a 1977 Vette from your signature.
I strongly recommend that you purchase an original equipment flexible coupling assembly from a GM dealer (1969-1982 #7818568) or from many Corvette suppliers such as Zip Products in the Corvette Mall. The part is fairly expensive.
I do not recommend the bolt-together "kit" because first of all the rubber replacement disc has only 4 laminations of rubber and cloth. This disc will result in the flex coupling assembly that will have more deflection than the original disc with 7 laminations. Your steering will not be as crisp with the 4 lamination disc as compared to the original 7 laminations. Also the bolt- together stop pins in the kit will not be as rigid or secure as the original hot staked stop pins.
Race Director
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From: If the world didnt suck, we would all fall off. Troy,Ohio.
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St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (Jim Shea)
I was going to ask the same question, I'm going to tackle that task this weekend.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (MNJack)
WARNING :eek: :eek: If you look at the bolt-together photo above, you will see something that potentially can be very dangerous! Look at the stop pins. They have a threaded section and then a shoulder. When the stop pins are bolted into place, they will be metal-to-metal with the flange on the steering gear. The rubber disc will be sandwiched inside the metal-to-metal connection. This is GOOD.
However, the pair of bolts that are also in the kit do not have any shoulders. They are threaded all the way to the hex head. This is VERY, VERY, BAD!!! You never, make a bolted connection through a rubber medium. The rubber will eventually relax and all tension in the bolted joint will be lost!!! If you double nut, or tack weld the nut in place, or use a very secure torque prevailing nut, you might get away with a connection through rubber. But typically, this is extremely poor practice and you are steering your car through this connection.
If you look at the bolts on a OEM flexible coupling, you will see that they are shoulder bolts. They will bolt metal-to-metal for a secure joing.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:34 AM 3/3/2004]
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:35 AM 3/3/2004]
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:36 AM 3/3/2004]
However, the pair of bolts that are also in the kit do not have any shoulders. They are threaded all the way to the hex head. This is VERY, VERY, BAD!!! You never, make a bolted connection through a rubber medium. The rubber will eventually relax and all tension in the bolted joint will be lost!!! If you double nut, or tack weld the nut in place, or use a very secure torque prevailing nut, you might get away with a connection through rubber. But typically, this is extremely poor practice and you are steering your car through this connection.
If you look at the bolts on a OEM flexible coupling, you will see that they are shoulder bolts. They will bolt metal-to-metal for a secure joing.
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:34 AM 3/3/2004]
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:35 AM 3/3/2004]
[Modified by Jim Shea, 10:36 AM 3/3/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
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From: Deep East Texas
Re: Steering coupling disk and donut question. (Jim Shea)
I strongly recommend that you purchase an original equipment flexible coupling assembly from a GM dealer (1969-1982 #7818568) or from many Corvette suppliers such as Zip Products in the Corvette Mall. The part is fairly expensive.
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