STLCRZY

Hi guys,

wanted to uncouple the rag joint but canīt separate the two bolts in the picture.

I tried a few hours...with heat and violence and and and..have no more ideas.

Are this bolts threaded ?

MDchanic

Are you trying to remove those two welded-on pins?

The bolts are already out in that picture.

If those are what you're trying to remove, might I ask, Why?

IN general, the rag joint is a single part that connects the flat plate flange of the steering column end to the splined input shaft of the steering box. Some (ie: Chevelle SS and tilt / telescope) connect to a separate piece on the steering column side that then connects to the steering column via a splined fitting (see attached illustrations). It does not require disassembly.

- Eric

STLCRZY

Yes, trying to remove this pins to install new rubber....is it possible or must buy new complete r.joint?


regards

MDchanic

Hmmmm... I never heard of anyone replacing the rubber, or even needing to (though I see you've got a new piece of rubber there, so I guess they sell 'em).

You've got me, but my guess would be that you can't do it - the junkyard's got hundreds of 'em, though .

- Eric

66luvr

Yes it is done all the time.
The bolts you can't remove are actually rivets. This is what I do, not to say there aren't many more ways.
I grind off the heads of the rivets on the back side you didn't show in your pics, then drive them out with a punch. I buy a kit from the "Help" section at the parts store which comes with 2 extra bolts designed to take the place of the rivets. Just bolt it back together using the new parts. I sorta thought the kits had a small instruction sheet in them.
One thing you should know, the parts are "clocked" and like a distributor can be installed 180 degrees out. The flanges generally only fit on the shafts in one location (at least on the 64-67 stuff I generally mess with). So if you have them put together wrong you can wind up with the steering wheel upside down. Also the brass/copper thing is a ground strap for the horn so it needs to be in good shape and properly installed.
Good luck,
Mike

MDchanic

Wow. You learn something every day.

I've had a lot of GM cars, and have never had one that seemed even close to needing the rag joint rubber replaced.

Now I know.

- Eric

gearheads78

One of the first things I replace if a car was been sitting a long time. They rot and tear all the time in this climate.

MDchanic

Ahhhhh... Here they're preserved by the cold .

- Eric

made in the usa

They always get replaced here in ohio they rott away.

Boldsmobile

Did mine too and found a kit somewhere that had replacement rivets - instead of bolts to replace the rivets.

STLCRZY

I think this is what i need...and you install 66luvr....correct?
http://www.kts.de/shop2/default.asp?...33&onload=true

regards from Germany

STLCRZY

66luvr

Yep, thats it.
I didn't notice you were in Germany. I went to the link you posted to see what you found, it was all in German, I couldn't read a thing!! But of course the picture tells the whole story, pictures have no language barrier,,,thankfully.
I have replaced a few of those. A new rubber ring will often "tighten up" the steering a lot.
The long pins/rivets are a fail safe thing, they are long enough to allow some steering if the rubber comes completely loose, maybe sloppy steering, but you still have enough control to get stopped without wrecking.

Good Luck, Mike

Good luck

STLCRZY

okay great Mike....
i ordered it today and hope i can stretch your nerves again if i need help with the assemble.

nice rims...
Denis