Bullnose Enthusiasts Forum

Rag joints..

Classic

List

Threaded

25 messages Options

Gsmblue

Rag joints..

As I am installing my new steering column I realized the rag joint by the steering box has a ton of play in it.

When I pulled what I think is called the “intermediate shaft” out, I can’t see how the rag joint comes apart.. can some one help me understand how to tackle this please!

1985.5 F-150 XL Explorer standard cab 5.0 EFI AOD 4x4
Daily Driver. We call her Eunice the Ute.

1982 Bronco XLT Lariat 351W AOD 4x4
Code name Esperanza, or Espy to her friends. Please see my Project thread for the blow by blow.

1984 F-350 XL Centurion crew cab 460 T19 4x4
"Eylza Dual-little"

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

Are you asking how you take the coupling (rag joint) apart? Or how to take it off? I put up a close-up illustration here that may help: Suspension & Steering/Steering/Coupling - Rag Joint. Does that help?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Gsmblue

Re: Rag joints..

Hmmm, the coupling has a ton of play in it and I am trying to work out how to disassemble it and refurbish...

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

Gsmblue wrote

Hmmm, the coupling has a ton of play in it and I am trying to work out how to disassemble it and refurbish...

There's nothing to refurbish in the rag joint, only replace. Toss the old one in the garbage, and install a new one. There are two studs/nuts on the back of the rag joint that attach it to the steering shaft. I'm going to buy a new one myself soon for when I reassemble (and reattach) my steering column. I think they're only about $20...or at least I thought they were. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

Edit: I just checked Rockauto, and it looks like you can buy just the rubber element and four bolts, but you'd have to drill the old rivets out, and that might be a pain. It's the same cost as a complete joint listed below it.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

I agree - replace it. Those are a known slop issue and an easy fix.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: Rag joints..

Here is my problem. I am looking at the joint and I have no idea how to take it apart... do I have to cut the heads off the studs and bang them out?

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

I got lost. I thought you replaced the rag joint with a Borgeson one. Doesn't it have the rag joint? What am I missing?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Gsmblue

Re: Rag joints..

Ah, sorry. I caused confusion. The rag joint is also shot in the F150.

For the Bronco I put the borgeson in, but for my truck I was hoping to replace the rag joint as it is way cheaper!

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

Sorry, I missed this. Let me take a look at one of my rag joints and get back with you later today.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

Will one from a 1968 Mustang help anyone? I ended up with it left over after I had to essentially make a column from two for the Chevstang.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

In reply to this post by Gsmblue

I looks that for all 1980 models and 1981 models until a 2/81 build date that the rag joint was a separate part and could be replaced. But, as of 2/81 it became part of the lower steering shaft - 3B676.

So, since yours is an '82 it should not have a replaceable rag joint. Here's a pic of the one on Dad's lower steering shaft:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

Gary Lewis wrote

I looks that for all 1980 models and 1981 models until a 2/81 build date that the rag joint was a separate part and could be replaced. But, as of 2/81 it became part of the lower steering shaft - 3B676.

Hey Gary, my '84 F150 (built in Dec '83) has the replaceable style rag joint. The steering shaft could have been changed I suppose, but everything else on the truck is original, so I assume the steering shaft is too?

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

This is a very confusing area/subject. You saw where the parts catalog shows that the replaceable rag joint went away as of 2/81. Here's a clip from the catalog showing that the lower shaft supposedly changed on 12/81:

So, which was it? Did someone drop the "1" from "12", making it 2/81? But, even so, that wouldn't account for a 12/83 build having a replaceable one.

Can you post of pic of your rag joint and shaft? Maybe we can figure it out. (But I'm not going to hold my breath.)

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

Gary Lewis wrote

Can you post of pic of your rag joint and shaft? Maybe we can figure it out. (But I'm not going to hold my breath.)

Mine could have been changed at some point, but unless it was under some recall 30 years ago, I'm guessing that it was not. The truck only has 35k miles on it, and everything on it seems to be original except for the water pump, fuel pump, spark plugs, and muffler. My truck doesn't appear to have had any parts changed unless they outright failed...lol.

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

The more I thought about this, I thought maybe mine was changed. Perhaps somebody did cut the old rivets off or drilled them out and installed a new joint.

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

I don't know. Would they have put an earlier style on? Yours looks exactly like Dad's. Here's another shot of his, turned upside down to match yours, and they look identical. Right?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

Gary Lewis wrote

I don't know. Would they have put an earlier style on? Yours looks exactly like Dad's. Here's another shot of his, turned upside down to match yours, and they look identical. Right?

Earlier style, or aftermarket replacement, either way, they're bolt on. Mine looks identical to yours, same lock nuts and all.

Rembrant

Re: Rag joints..

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I know Rock Auto shows a replacement for my 1984. Either the whole joint, or just the rubber element.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1984,f-150,5.0l+302cid+v8,1121443,steering,steering+coupling+assembly,7418

Gary Lewis

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

This is a strange, confusing area. I know Big Blue has a lower shaft w/o a rag joint. But it may be a replacement.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: Rag joints..

Administrator

I know the later trucks, 1992 up with the stub column have universals, one at each end of the intermediate shaft.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile