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While replacing the power brake booster on my '69 Vette I noticed the 55-year-old steering rag joint was in bad need of replacement. I ordered a replacement lower steering coupler which comes with the new rag-joint riveted to it from Zip Corvettes. It looks like a good quality part with 2 exceptions, One, the bolts that were included with the coupler were both 5/16. The original has one 5/16 and one 3/8, so I removed the old ones from my original and used them. That problem solved. The other problem, the new lower coupler did not come with a ground strap to make continuity between the lower coupler and the upper. It would seem to me that the ground strap is an important component for proper grounding of the steering column
.. I know improper grounding can cause headaches, so I made up a ground strap to connect the upper and lower coupler together. I know it won't pass NCRS judging but at least my horn should work. I would welcome comments. Do y'all think this was even necessary?
The originals were multi-layered rubber, firm like a tire. The one you have is a sold puck. They were originally grounded with a beryllium copper strap between the halves,which broke before the rag worn out most of the time. Then by '72 they were revised to an impregnated screen on the material and this worked much better. The horn would probably still work but you might get a shock on the steering wheel spoke, as I did with my car years ago.
With the solid rubber coupler, you do need a ground strap, I've done the same thing as you. Just need to make sure it doesn't catch on anything as you rotate the steering wheel.
The trouble with just getting a replacement ground strap is that the lower coupler is riveted to the rubber "rag joint", so that copper strap needs to be put in at time of manufacture there is no way - I know of - to put it in after.
Here is one of the last GM rags, going back to 2011.
I left feedback with Zip Corvette on the difference between the part they offer and an OE coupler. Hopefully the quality control department will push to up their game.
I left feedback with Zip Corvette on the difference between the part they offer and an OE coupler. Hopefully the quality control department will push to up their game.
I doubt it. The material used for these either became too expensive or was no longer available and that was 15 years ago.
I left feedback with Zip Corvette on the difference between the part they offer and an OE coupler. Hopefully the quality control department will push to up their game.
Pro Tip: Next time, don't quote all the pictures just for one comment. Pictures that were already posted just above your post.
replacing steering rag joint
