could my broken flexible coupling be causing all the play in my wheel?
or would there have to be something else wrong?

 

when i bought my '79 two years ago i had 6" of travel ##### the steering wheel without any output at the tires. a new borgeson shaft eliminated it completely! just have someone spin the wheel back and forth while you are looking at the rag joint and the u-joint. any play will be evident immediately. good luck

 

So you are saying that if the shaft above the rag joint moves when you turn the wheel and the rag joint does not, then you need a new borgeson shaft? I have this problem and I would really liked it fixed. I only have about 3" of travel but it really bugs me.

Austin

 

i'd definitely say replace the rag joint- especially if it appears to be broken. it would make sense that if the shaft above the joint is moving, and the rag joint isn't...

the upper shaft could be just fine.

if the column is anything like my '68, the only room for any play in the upper shaft would be right at the steering wheel- otherwise, it's just a straight steel shaft.

good luck-
sam

 

Austin! Firstly read your e-mail. Slack is usually related to badly worn parts. Three inches of slack in your steering is HUGE! Park the truck until you determine the cause of this problem. Inspect the rag joint, steering gear, steering link, tie rod ends, wheel bearings and king pins. Somewhere in this list you will find the slack you are looking for. Ford makes a plastic rag joint, costs about 80 bucks (expensive but worth it). I sent you an e-mail outlining parts needed and an estimate of the cost to bring your steering system up to standard. It was a little long so I e-mailed it.
William in Atlanta

 

William, can you E-mail me the same information? I'm at decaruby(No Email Addresses In Posts!) . I also have excessive play and haven't gotten to the pins or rag joint, but I have done the rods. Many thanks for your help.

 

Yeah William from Atlanta. E-Mail me that info also
rfg@telsurf.net
Thanks
Bob

 

what do you mean the rag joint?
is it the same thing as the flexible coupling?

 

Guys read the other threads...ie "is there a book to rebuild the suspension." William spells out what components need replacing.

Rag Joint = Flexible Coupling

 

I'm in the same boat. The upper u-joint coupling is badly worn on my '76 250 4x4. The rag joint is identified as the joint below this u-joint coupling? Is steering column removal necessary to replace the two joints? I might be a candidate for the info as well. If not too much trouble, please email to petem@unlimited.net. Thanks!!

 

I've relaced mine twice.It's easy. The last time I bought a repair kit that replaces only the rubber for $4.50. It worked great.Good luck.

 

yeah uhhhh could you email that to me to
thanks

 

oh yeah.
my email address is slothshady(No Email Addresses In Posts!)

 

 

hey, i got that flexible coupling replaced and it elimated the slop in the wheel. its a little off center but thats fixable and i dont really care....