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What would make a new rag joint with about 5000 miles on it fail? Improper steering column alignment? Thank God it happened in a parking lot as I was heading out onto the highway. Could’ve been very bad!
Last edited by SNKBITE65; May 23, 2026 at 12:29 PM.
From picture looks like spline pinch bolt was not tightened. Might be an illusion. Not the one on the gear the one not pictured that is on the steering shaft. JP
Last edited by peters220; May 23, 2026 at 12:43 PM.
Reason: Clarity
There is NFW the rag should be curved like that. It should be flat. I'm thinking the steering column side was forced up, toward the steering wheel, then clamped into place. That would account for the distorted rag.
Properly installed, there are pins which will continue to (loosely) connect the two halves of the joint in the event of a rag failure so that some semblance of steering control remains.
Did you, personally, install the steering coupler or did someone else? I agree that there's something amiss with the install. There's, virtually, no way that can occur with a new joint properly installed and tightened.
While you're in there, replace that cotter pin holding the clutch rod to the "Z" bar with a correct spring steel wire clip...that cotter pin is too delicate to put up with the stresses involved.
Did you, personally, install the steering coupler or did someone else? I agree that there's something amiss with the install. There's, virtually, no way that can occur with a new joint properly installed and tightened.
While you're in there, replace that cotter pin holding the clutch rod to the "Z" bar with a correct spring steel wire clip...that cotter pin is too delicate to put up with the stresses involved.
I did the install last Fall and could most definitely have done it wrong. The car was completely disassembled and reassembled from the ground up and memory could have failed during the rebuild process. Thank you for the tip on the Z Bar clip. That’s an easy fix😀
Last edited by SNKBITE65; May 23, 2026 at 02:41 PM.
I’m thinking I will go the original rag joint/coupler route for NCRS judging. If anyone here knows of one less expensive than the one I have attached above on EBay… I am all ears.
I’m thinking I will go the original rag joint/coupler route for NCRS judging. If anyone here knows of one less expensive than the one I have attached above on EBay… I am all ears.
Contact Don Harris here on the Forum...he restores original steering couplers to NCRS standards. Here's one of his available currently;
What is the purpose of the Rag Joint?? I recently upgraded the steering rack in a mustang and a mustang supplier had a " hybrid" shaft to connect my steering wheel to the rack. ( made the job very easy ) But eliminated the rag joint in the process?? If I dont' need one why do they come with it from the factory..
TY all...
New rag joint failure
