New Rag Joint
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Atlanta
New Rag Joint
I installed a new steering rag joint and it seems to work but the whole thing just doesn't seem quite right to me and I can't remember what it looked like before I started, please take a look at this picture and let me know if anything doesn't look correct. Thanks ahead of time.
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It looks like one of the ears? if that's what it's called is broke off on the plate the rag
joint bolts too? where it's fleared up on two sides they should look the same! at least that's what my 65 looks like!, turn the steering wheel and see what the otherside looks like, that will give you a better idea..I could be wrong depending on what year truck you have?
joint bolts too? where it's fleared up on two sides they should look the same! at least that's what my 65 looks like!, turn the steering wheel and see what the otherside looks like, that will give you a better idea..I could be wrong depending on what year truck you have?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Atlanta
Her's the other side, I don't think anything is broken but I might be missing something, for some reason I couldn't find a good exploded view of this connection in the repair manual. My old steering box was trashed and I pulled one from a 66 out of the junk yard and installed in my 65, I know there's a slight difference between the two but I don't think that's my issue.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: seattle
Actually, in the 2nd pic you can see the lower bearing retainer all cattywampus at the end of the mast jacket...you need most likely at least a lower column bearing and sleeve...readily available and inexpensive...to replace it requires removal of column and teardown of it...
If you are having turn signal or horn issues...this would be the time to replace the switch and wiring at the same time.
As to the rag joint...in 65-66 F100-250 trucks there were 2 used...the guide pin was a different diameter between the two and I suspect that would also affect the steering shaft itself too...if you 'rebuilt' your original rag joint all should be well...unless the column isnt original to the truck.
Post the last 6 of your VIN as there was a specific number when the rag joints became different...the pin should fit semi close tolerance into the bottom of the steering shaft cutout.
The column bearings being bad will also make it alot harder to steer the truck as the angles are always on the move...which they shouldnt be.
- cs65
If you are having turn signal or horn issues...this would be the time to replace the switch and wiring at the same time.
As to the rag joint...in 65-66 F100-250 trucks there were 2 used...the guide pin was a different diameter between the two and I suspect that would also affect the steering shaft itself too...if you 'rebuilt' your original rag joint all should be well...unless the column isnt original to the truck.
Post the last 6 of your VIN as there was a specific number when the rag joints became different...the pin should fit semi close tolerance into the bottom of the steering shaft cutout.
The column bearings being bad will also make it alot harder to steer the truck as the angles are always on the move...which they shouldnt be.
- cs65
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Atlanta
Thanks guys, neither my horn or turn signals work so I was needing to get into the column anyway, the steering column seems original to the truck but this probably explains some of the continued tough steering and why the column seems to want to pull away from the rag joint excessively, looks like I need to get a steering wheel puller and some new parts!
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,375
Likes: 5
From: seattle
yup...thats the same as mine...dead horn and a toast rag joint...I replaced mine a couple of years ago...what a difference!!!!
- cs65
- cs65
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From: Glendale Arizona
65 66 use the same small diameter pins.
The one you have has small and large pin common with later units and the ones in the help section. To use this joint you need to modify the flange to clear the large pin. A bit of grinding will provide sufficient clearance.
It also appears that the lower column bearing has damage and will need to be rebuilt.
Garbz
The one you have has small and large pin common with later units and the ones in the help section. To use this joint you need to modify the flange to clear the large pin. A bit of grinding will provide sufficient clearance.
It also appears that the lower column bearing has damage and will need to be rebuilt.
Garbz
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