C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

[Jim R.]

What is a good way to determine if you need to replace the original rag joint, is there a simple way of testing it for movement, and how mutch should it give in either direction.

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Jim,

I don't know what the service manual say's but I grab the upper portion of the rag that's attached to the steering column and move it back and forth, (left/right).

If the rag is wore when it's moving back and forth the lower part will keep moving each direction and you will feel the play. You can also feel the play in the steering wheel doing the same test.

I noticed mine after steering box lube and adjustment so everything is nice and tight then the play became easy to locate. I need to find a new lower rag for my 63 so I will be interested what members say is the best place to buy one. I would really like NOS but I am not sure they are out there..

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Thanks Tim, that is what i did yesterday, had my hand over the rag and rotated both way's and mine has some play in it enough that it will pinch your skin if its over the pins that rotate in the half round cutout area.

[Paul J.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

I need to find a new lower rag for my 63 so I will be interested what members say is the best place to buy one. I would really like NOS but I am not sure they are out there..

FYI. The first thread answers your question.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...joint&uid=4886

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...joint&uid=7391

Paost #10 - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...joint&uid=9154

There's more in the archives.

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Tim I did the test like you from the top and the pin either comes close to hitting the u channel or is hitting it, how tight should it be or how mutch movement should there be?

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Jim,

I can't say how tight it's supposed to be except if it's touching the U channel my opinion is it's bad. When I overhauled my 67 steering box I don't remember any movement of the rag like I noticed on the 63.

I guess the suppliers don't just sell a seven laminate cloth with rivets because of the safety issue, probably better that way. I just wanted to use my original top and bottom cast pieces.

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Tim I looked at the one from LIC last night and they have the complete rag for 120 it looks just like the original (63-66) with the seven layers, have you seen theres yet the part number is 18-37A 63-66 complete coupler with ground strap for standard column .

[Gary R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

The LICS rag is about the best you're going to find now. The current GM rags are not like they were a year ago. They are no longer grounded and the material is more flexiable. The 69-82 with the D flat are not one I would use anymore, unless you find a grounded one which would have the red ink on the rag. I wouldn't use a rebuild kit for a rag either.

Since this came about a few months ago I've seen some advertise the originals on aution sites only to ship the current ones which have a purple ink and no wire mesh in them.

I won't post pictures here but you can go to DC I have pictures on the current rags there to show the difference.

[Jim R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Looks like corvette central, paragon and LIC all sell the same rag joint for the 63-66 for 120.00

[Gary R.]

Re: C2 steering Rag joint replacement?

Jim
email me at gary.ramadei@radiall.com and I'll send you pictures of what I've seen recently with rag joints.
Gary