Gsmblue Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsmblue Posted April 26, 2018 Author Share Posted April 26, 2018 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? Hmmm, the coupling has a ton of play in it and I am trying to work out how to disassemble it and refurbish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rembrant Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 26, 2018 Share Posted April 26, 2018 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. I agree - replace it. Those are a known slop issue and an easy fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsmblue Posted April 30, 2018 Author Share Posted April 30, 2018 I agree - replace it. Those are a known slop issue and an easy fix. 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted April 30, 2018 Share Posted April 30, 2018 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? 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? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gsmblue Posted April 30, 2018 Author Share Posted April 30, 2018 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? 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 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! Sorry, I missed this. Let me take a look at one of my rag joints and get back with you later today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
85lebaront2 Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 Sorry, I missed this. Let me take a look at one of my rag joints and get back with you later today. 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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