New guy here, been researching this like crazy but can't find excatly what I need for my year and model.
Gonna try to install a rag joint repair kit on 1973 F100, manual steering. All I can afford right now.

Would I still need to remove the entire coupling from the gearbox and intermediate shaft to install just the new rubber and bolts?
Would I still need to grind off the old studs?

Thanks for any help, this forum has been a great help already to me!

 

I bought my repair joint from Advance Auto Parts, under $10.00. You need to remove joint completly from steering gear box and steering wheel shaft. Unbolt rag joint from both, i unbolted steering gear box from frame - 3 bolts, will need to remove brake line support bracket to get to one of the steering box bolts,leave gear box pitman arm attached to linkage and gear box, no need to remove this, gear box will pull away from steering shaft and rag joint will fall out. You will need to grind off top of rivets to remove rag on coupler and install new. Mine had a metal plate sandwich between joint and steering shaft in order to make the ground connection for horn to work, be sure to put this back in the same way it came out or you will be doing this procedure twice like i did. Good Luck.

 

Hey thanks rdw...so no need to move steering column at all, simply move gear box.
When you say unbolt from both ,that includes pinch bolt at gearbox too, right?
I think my brother and I can get her done.
The safety pins are doing the steering right now!

 

Well, we got'er done...
Advance did not have the kit but only had the entire joint for $32.00. So I did'nt have any rivet grinding to do.
Did unbolt the gearbox like rdw suggested, but we moved the column too. When it was all said and done we had a big gap at the steering wheel, so he loosened the clamp near the firewall and we were able to move the column back up closer to the wheel so the horn and signal cams worked.

Not sure how tight the bolts to the flange should be but he tightened them up pretty snug where the rubber mashed pretty substantial.
Any input on how tight they should be would be appreciated.
Thanks guys, it's been a long afternoon

 

Lil' simpler
How tight should those flange bolts be?
Thanks guys!

 

I just replaced my rag joint on Saturday, it only took about 45 minutes total. I loosened the old one, removed the bolts on the steering box, lifted it up and the old joint fell out...put it back the same way.

The only "problem" I had was once it was all bolted back together, my steering wheel wasn't straight. Since I have a Grant wheel though, I simply unbolted it inside and straightened it. It steers like a new vehicle!

Oh and by the way, those bolts should be good and tights, I didn't tighten them till the rubber "squished"

 

Attached is a pic of my troubled '73 F100 4X4 Henry Blue. Even though it has a newer Red head steering box, the steering (manual) is next to impossible. Is there a rag link that can be replaced here? For the life of me, I see no flexible rubber disc.
All help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I have same setup on my 79 f250

No rag joint.

You can buy a rebuild kit that gives you a new spring and bushings for the universal joint.

Got mine at advance auto...

 

Taking anouther look at where the shaft goes through the firewall it looks like you are missing, the plastic cap that holds the lower bearing

 

Thanks for the info. Any idea what the kit is called? No Advance Auto here - maybe NAPA can step up. Thanks again!

 

Really, missing steering bits? Can anyone point me to an exploded diagram or part numbers of my missing pieces. Thanks again for your input.

 

Original plastic is hard to find. I got mine from jy.

Look here for aftermarket

http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-Metal-Lower-Steering-Column-Bearing-76-79-Early-Ford-Bronco-Truck-F150-/261752029141?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1979%7CMake%3AFord&hash=item3cf1a2ffd5&vxp=mtr

 

And anouther

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-column.html

 

I'm afraid that ebay piece looks like a 2WD piece. Do we have an exploded schematic of a 73 4X4 (manual steering, 4 speed) on the site?

 

Not sure where you see this lower bearing housing for steering shaft is only for 2WD. I have a 4WD and it is same. This is all I have eer seen for any 2wd or 4wd.