Steering Coupler and Rag Joint
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
Steering Coupler and Rag Joint
I was thinking about using a steel steering coupler with splines for the gear box end and a 3/4 inch D connector for the top. The idea being to shorten the steering column without changing it to much. I'll drill the dash mount collar spot welds so the column can slide down a bit and saw off the rag joint conector on the steering shaft. I'll file/grind/saw the 3/4 inch steering shaft as close as possible to the lower colum bearing to accept the 3/4 inch D coupler. This will completly replace the rag joint. I have looked at this deal and believe I'll achieve an inch or two shorter steering column (closer to the dash) with out any other changes. Ideas comments?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
I thought the rag joint was there to take vibrations out of the wheel, no??
I would love to get 2.5-3" out of my column, but haven't figured out all of the hurdles yet. You would have to move the dash cuff, cut the column, cut & weld the shaft.
With power steering you don't need the wheel as close to you as it is.
my 2
John
I would love to get 2.5-3" out of my column, but haven't figured out all of the hurdles yet. You would have to move the dash cuff, cut the column, cut & weld the shaft.
With power steering you don't need the wheel as close to you as it is.
my 2
John
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
The rag joint does remove vibration. I have seen a new U-Joint that is designed to do the same. I would drill the spot welds on the dash cuff and allow the colum to slide down. I would saw off the flange for the rag joint and shorten the steering shaft so that just about 3/4 of and inch protrudes from the column cover. This would be converted to a "D" to slip into the top of the U-Joint. I think this would get about an inch or maybe a bit more "belly room". I was trying to avoid shortning the column.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 168
From: Central Texas
Well I understand the dilema. For my '65 w/ AT, I disassembled the column, cut off the rag joint mount, cut off about 2-2 1/2" inches of the column(that's as far as I could go due to the shift tube), then re-installed the bearing and bearing holder back to the column tube. Then welded the rag joint mount back on the shortened shaft(I drilled the old shaft out of the mount w/ a 3/4" drill so that I could weld it back like the factory did). The end result looks basically stock, retains the rag joint and was pretty easy to do. I did not have to modify the upper end of the column, i.e. relocate the dash collar mount. Give me a holler for more details......
