67 rag joint standard column

[Robert D.]

i am replacing my torn rag joint on my 67. the old rag joint has 2 3/8 holes with a 3/8 bolt and a 5/16 copper bolt with a 3/8 shaft which the ground strap is attached. the new kit has a 3/8 bolt and a 5/16 copper bolt with a 3/8 bolt hole and 5/16 bolt hole through the rag coupler. i have another rag coupler with 2 3/8 holes in it so i can use the original hardware. my question is which one is correct? are they both correct or is the one that came off the car a more original correct part?
thanx
bob

[Ray G.]

Re: 67 rag joint standard column

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...ght=1967+joint

[Timothy B.]

Re: 67 rag joint standard column

i am replacing my torn rag joint on my 67. the old rag joint has 2 3/8 holes with a 3/8 bolt and a 5/16 copper bolt with a 3/8 shaft which the ground strap is attached. the new kit has a 3/8 bolt and a 5/16 copper bolt with a 3/8 bolt hole and 5/16 bolt hole through the rag coupler. i have another rag coupler with 2 3/8 holes in it so i can use the original hardware. my question is which one is correct? are they both correct or is the one that came off the car a more original correct part?
thanx
bob

Robert,

The replacement rag material with the two different size holes along with the correct bolt hardware (bolts with 3/8" and 5/16"shank) would be the more correct repair IMO.

Attached is a picture of a NOS Saginaw joint for your car. You can decide for yourself how the reproduction part compares.

[Robert D.]

Re: 67 rag joint standard column

thanx guys i got my rebuild kit from LIC and its pretty darn close
bob

[Jim S.]

Re: 67 rag joint standard column

A couple points of clarification.
Tim, your part is definately a Saginaw manufactured service part. It is not exactly the same design as original but functionally it works. I can see the metal screening that is molded into one face of the laminated rubber disc. (Seven alternate layers of neoprene rubber and cotton cloth.) That would mean that your flexible coupling assembly was manufactured after 1972 (when the screen ground disc was put into production and the brass ground strap was eliminated.)

The laminated rubber disc has four holes that are all equal size (3/8 inch diameter). The bolt shanks are all 3/8 dia. The threaded portion of the bolts were different: 5/16-24 (the copper plated bolt) and 3/8-24 (the plain bolt.)

Here is a bit of trivia. Why was the 5/16-24 bolt copper plated?
Answer: The Vette assembly plant had a common nut driver for the two nuts that connected the flex coupling assembly to the steering column flange. Both 5/16-24 and the 3/8-24 zinc plated nuts had a common size 11/16 hex. Therefore a common driver was possible. But now you say, "Wait a minute, you have two different size threads, you cannot torque them to the same spec with a common driver." That is where the copper plate on the 5/16 thread comes into play. The plating on the threads change the torque-tension relationship between the zinc plated nut and the 5/16 thread. Therefore a common torque spec of 18 to 20 ft-lbs was possible.

Jim

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 rag joint standard column

A couple points of clarification.
Tim, your part is definately a Saginaw manufactured service part. It is not exactly the same design as original but functionally it works. I can see the metal screening that is molded into one face of the laminated rubber disc. (Seven alternate layers of neoprene rubber and cotton cloth.) That would mean that your flexible coupling assembly was manufactured after 1972 (when the screen ground disc was put into production and the brass ground strap was eliminated.)

The laminated rubber disc has four holes that are all equal size (3/8 inch diameter). The bolt shanks are all 3/8 dia. The threaded portion of the bolts were different: 5/16-24 (the copper plated bolt) and 3/8-24 (the plain bolt.)

Here is a bit of trivia. Why was the 5/16-24 bolt copper plated?
Answer: The Vette assembly plant had a common nut driver for the two nuts that connected the flex coupling assembly to the steering column flange. Both 5/16-24 and the 3/8-24 zinc plated nuts had a common size 11/16 hex. Therefore a common driver was possible. But now you say, "Wait a minute, you have two different size threads, you cannot torque them to the same spec with a common driver." That is where the copper plate on the 5/16 thread comes into play. The plating on the threads change the torque-tension relationship between the zinc plated nut and the 5/16 thread. Therefore a common torque spec of 18 to 20 ft-lbs was possible.

Jim

Jim:

Your knowledge on these steering components is extraordinary, along with your willingness to share this information. THANK YOU for helping us learn.

Larry