steering rag joint replacement, 71
I am in the process of replacing my steering rag joint. I have discovered that the studs that hold the rag joint assy. together appear to be pressed together and the ends mushroomed over as a revet to hold it together. My issue is Paragon offers a rebuild kit, # 3528K , $10.00. Do the studs in the kit get pushed in and then the ends get swedged over to hold it in place or have they devised another method of holding the assy. together? Are these rebuild kits a good way to go or should I bit the bullet and get the completed assy. # 13277, $97.00? Any help would be greatly appreciated
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
Jim-----
I believe the repair kit uses bolts with nuts to replace the rivets originally used. The resulting configuration is not correct but is functional.
The coupling is no longer available from GM but is, apparently, available in the reproduction or replacement market. However, I understand that the replacements, including the last ones available from GM, do not have proper electrical conductivity through the rubber component and may result in horn problems.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
Joe,
Thankyou for your response. Today I ordered a replacement assy. from Paragon, imported one. They no longer have either of the two part no. I listed above. The phone person told me this the one Paragon uses, also they sell a lot of these without any complaints. I am concerned about the conductivity issue. I specifically went with Paragon thinking I will get good quality. I should get the part in a couple days I will try and post some feedback on this site. Very first time I have used this great tool. thanks again, JimComment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
Saginaw always provided a ground path through the steering column steering shaft, through the flange and coupling assembly, down through the steering gear, and into the frame. This required that the flange and coupling assembly incorporate a metal ground strap, or a wire with terminals, or a metal screen in the face of the rubber disc so that horn grounding current could pass from one side of the rubber disc to the other. Now older steering columns had die cast housings where grounding current could pretty easily pass into the dash structure. Later steering columns had plastic housings and lower bearings pressed into plastic adapters. Early steering columns may not require a flange and coupling assembly with a ground path. Later steering columns may really require an alternate ground path.
My real concern is that a person replaces their flange and coupling assembly and has no idea that the horn function may indeed be compromised. When he tries to blow his horn days, weeks, or even months down the road he will never figure out that lack of horn is tied to the flange and coupling that was replaced.
JimComment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
I see one is listed on ebay (Item # 140835923711) that is advertised as NOS (Part # 7818568). I had asked the seller if the coupling included a metal screen in the face of the rubber disc and he confirmed it does.
JamesComment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
James,
I received my new unit from Paragon today, It does not have the ground strap. My only choice at this point is
to make a ground strap. At least the new unit has the rivets swedged over and held in place with nuts. A bit of a challenge but thats what these cars are all about. Thanks for the feed back, JimComment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
To might knowledge, no one is reproducing an exact match rag joint with the correct ply material properly grounded. I know Tom Reina did and his were supplied to many vendors for years. One of the last times we spoke he told me he was done making them because he ran out of the material and wasn't going to try and source it someplace.
The last year that the GM rags were available, last year, they also were not grounded for the past several years.
The ones I have seen from the aftermarket are pretty poor, in my opinion. Some have the D flat used for the late 69-82's 180* off. I haven't seen any with the rigid ply material originally used. Those rag rebuild kits are something I would not recommend as well.
I did a 67 box a year or so ago and the owner shipped me his new rag. It was an aftermarket rag and it DID have the copper strap, the material was not as rigid but this was a decent rag, good for a PS car but could be sloppy on a manual steering car. I don't recall where that rag came from.
I get several calls a week on where to buy rag joints and really don't have a good answer. Trying to find a NOS one is getting harder and just try to find a 65-66 tele-rag.Comment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
Hi Joe,
No, I have not seen them, do they have the grounding and rigid material? I have in my stock a 63-66 NOS service rag, a GM 67-E69,and a L69-82 GM grounded. I use those to check inputs on boxes but I no longer buy rags to hold in case they are needed for a box.
The NOS 63-66 actually has the wire mesh grounding used on the later C3's. The 67-e69 GM has the yellow ink on it and is about 3 years old- it is not grounded but has the good material, the l69-82 is the red ink rag, both grounded and has the correct ply material.
Up to the Fall of 2010 I was able to get the good GM rags for about $100, those are long gone but I suspect there are some sitting on shelves somewhere.Comment
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Re: steering rag joint replacement, 71
Joe,
I just did a quick search online and found a picture of the Dorman rag. The D flat & bolt hole location is not in the correct position. With the D-flat on center & 12 o'clock the pinch bolt is at 6 o'clock. This part although incorrect compared to the original will bolt in, the rag material appears to be the softer type I've seen in many.
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