Rag joint - PS steering coupler
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
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From: Delavan, IL
Rag joint - PS steering coupler
When buying a steering coupler (rag joint) recently through Advance Auto Parts, I had to order one for a 1980 F-250 4x4. All of the "proper" 70's era listings showed the incorrect one. The one I originally got had a 1/4" dia. stub on one side and a 3/8" dia stub on the other. The one for the '80 was the one I needed with both 7/16" or 1/2" dia posts.
Anybody else ran into this problem???
Anybody else ran into this problem???
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 379
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From: Delavan, IL
Both trucks I had, 78 4x4 and 79 4x2 were both the same with the fat stubs instead of the skinny stubs. Not sure what the deal was. Oh well, I got the right part and I can steer my truck again :-)
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Delavan, IL
I'm looking at some way to beef mine up. Both of my trucks had the rubber rip where the bolts go through and that was the end of them. I'm thinking about making a sort of U shaped piece to hold the rag joint to the steering shaft so that even if the rubber does rip it will still be connected.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
As long as the rubber is fresh they should be strong. It's when they get degrade and dryrot that they begin to rip
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Delavan, IL
I've also considered wrapping in with like an old piece of intertube to keep oil and junk off of it.
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Posting Legend
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Originally Posted by dixiemudder04
make sure u keep a good eye on those things. my broke when i 4wheelin and i ran into a tree!!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Delavan, IL
They are a catch, but if you catch a rut or log or something then it will pop out. I do agree however than care should be taken as to the installation and inspection of steering components.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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If you run into something after the rubber rips frame flex, etc, can pop them loose. They are meant as a fail safe to keep you from hitting something in the first place. If you keep driving after the rubber is gone then you are kinda on your own... 
BTW, the "rag joint" is also a vibration isolator to keep road vibration from transmitting to the steering wheel.
BTW, the "rag joint" is also a vibration isolator to keep road vibration from transmitting to the steering wheel.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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A great product for rag joints is a piece of conveyor belt .
Most concrete plants have old pieces or spans of belt they just throw out.
A rag joint can be cut-out of this with a jigsaw.
I could have made 5 billion of them in 1985.
Most concrete plants have old pieces or spans of belt they just throw out.
A rag joint can be cut-out of this with a jigsaw.
I could have made 5 billion of them in 1985.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: nc
they make a shaft to replace the rubber. it's about 250 bux in lmc. They have the couplers in summit to make one. i've been thinking about it long and hard. cause once u run into a tree and bend all the front clip and walk off without a scratch. u start to think what u can do to prevent it!!
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Hey we can't have any of that mating talk on FTE!!! 
U-joints are available at farm supply stores etc. Replacement shafts and even custom parts are available from a variety of aftermarket suppliers. You can find their ads in any 4x4 magazine. The shafts are spendy tho.
U-joints are available at farm supply stores etc. Replacement shafts and even custom parts are available from a variety of aftermarket suppliers. You can find their ads in any 4x4 magazine. The shafts are spendy tho.