Rag joint in steering.
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Posting Guru
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From: Coweta,GA, GO DAWGS!!!!!!
Rag joint in steering.
Folks I've always wondered what the original purpose for the rag joint in the steering shaft is. Can I eliminate it all together? Or, is there an aftermarket shaft made that eliminates it?
Let me know!
Let me know!
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: trailer park
Do not eliminate that rag joint. It not only reduces vibration but as your cab moves on there rubber mounts it lets the steering shaft move with the cab. If you have a solid steering shaft then when the cab moves on there mounts the steering shaft will bind. The rag joint is very important for that reason.
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umm thats what the other u joint at that end does....dont listen to him he dosnt know what hes talking about...the company makes good products they are chrome with u joints on each end....i made my own ghetto version of this by cutting off the stock u joint of an extra shaft and welding it there
Posting Guru
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From: Coal Country, ND
Originally Posted by Hillcrest#9
Do not eliminate that rag joint. It not only reduces vibration but as your cab moves on there rubber mounts it lets the steering shaft move with the cab. If you have a solid steering shaft then when the cab moves on there mounts the steering shaft will bind. The rag joint is very important for that reason.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by cmprice
umm thats what the other u joint at that end does....dont listen to him he dosnt know what hes talking about...the company makes good products they are chrome with u joints on each end....i made my own ghetto version of this by cutting off the stock u joint of an extra shaft and welding it there
The 4WD steering shaft and coupler has a u-joint within its shaft. Ford basic part number: 3B676
The 2WD steering couplers (aka rag joints) bolt to the steering shaft flange. Ford basic part number: 3A525.
There is NO u-joint on 2WD's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seeing is believing: 1973/79 Ford Light Truck Parts Catalog
Typical 2WD Steering Column Illustration: Section 35; Page 3.
Typical 4WD Steering Column Illustration: Section 35; Page 14.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Aug 11, 2007 at 02:02 PM.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
ag30265: Unless you are converting a 2wd to a 4wd steering system, leave the 'Insulator" in place. You can get a replacement universal fit "rag joint " at NAPA for about $12. It is not exactly the same unit as the Ford OEM unit (mine was yellow disintegrated plastic on my '76 F250) but it will work fine. You'll have to loosen the steering column or steering box to get it in - not an easy job.
An interesting story about vibration damping...... In the 1920s Henry Ford wanted to eliminate wood from his cars - this was to modernize. He noticed that the factory railway tracks had wooden ties. In a fit of enthusiasm, he ordered all the tracks set into concrete over the objections of his engineers. You can imagine what happened every time the railway cars moved faster than a snails pace! The track was torn up again and the wooden ties put back. Your steering linkage needs lots of 'give' too.
An interesting story about vibration damping...... In the 1920s Henry Ford wanted to eliminate wood from his cars - this was to modernize. He noticed that the factory railway tracks had wooden ties. In a fit of enthusiasm, he ordered all the tracks set into concrete over the objections of his engineers. You can imagine what happened every time the railway cars moved faster than a snails pace! The track was torn up again and the wooden ties put back. Your steering linkage needs lots of 'give' too.
Posting Guru
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From: Coal Country, ND
I just replaced my steering shaft tonight, pretty easy. rkeasler, it's WAY easier to move the column back rather than moving the steering box. On my 79 I just pulled off the cover on the lower part of the column where it meets the dash (4 screws). Then there are 2 bolts that hold the column tight, loosen them up and you can pull the column back far enough to get the shaft out.
Posting Guru
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From: Coal Country, ND
Btw my stock steering shaft didn't have a rag joint, neither does my replacement.
On a side note, my steering is wwwwaaaaaayyyyyy tighter with the new shaft. The old one didn't seem that bad but it did have some play.
On a side note, my steering is wwwwaaaaaayyyyyy tighter with the new shaft. The old one didn't seem that bad but it did have some play.
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Originally Posted by unrulee
I just replaced my steering shaft tonight, pretty easy. rkeasler, it's WAY easier to move the column back rather than moving the steering box. On my 79 I just pulled off the cover on the lower part of the column where it meets the dash (4 screws). Then there are 2 bolts that hold the column tight, loosen them up and you can pull the column back far enough to get the shaft out.
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