Can anybody help me to fuigure out how to replace that stupid piece of rubber between the steering box and the steering column? I know that you have to undo the bolts that bolt the column to the rubber, but then how do you get it out from in between the box and the column? any help would be great! Oh it is a 71 f250 that I am working on with power steering.

Thanks,

Scott

 

This is commonly known as the rag joint, so if you see any references to the rag joint in posts on here, you'll know that's what they're talking about....

After you undo the bolts, you need to take out the clamp bolt on the steering box side of the coupler which is splined to the steering box shaft. Then you'll need to undo the two bolts in the cab that hold the steering column to the bottom of the dash and see if it'll lay down towards the seat which should give you enough clearence to remove the coupler from the splined shaft on the steering box, by sliding it back towards the firewall. You may have to drive an old screwdriver or cold chisel into the joint to spread it enough to let it slip off the shaft. If the column won't move enough to get it out of the way, you'll need to loosen the clamp bolt at the base of the steering column right up against the firewall (on the outside, right under the master cylinder/brake booster.)

I bought a steering coupler repair kit from NAPA to do mine. It wasn't quite a perfect fit as far as the hardware was concerned, but I was able to make it work okay. You'll have to grind the long alignment pin/fasteners off of the old coupler but the kit comes with bolt-on replacements.

 

Thanks for the info! I love this site! My truck needs alot, but I want to save it....and get her back on the road safely. Thanks again for the help!

 

The original Ford part number for 1969/74 F100/350 2WD is: C9UZ-3A525-A (>> replaces D3TZ-A, C9TZ-B <<). It's still available from FORD.

FTE sponsor DIRECTFORDPARTS shows the coupler at $69.93 list / FTE member net $49.43