Is there sufficient free play in this joint that would cause the steering to wander?


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I can't see the video, but I'll say this DO NOT USE a Help Section type replacement rag joint to replace it with, buy one from Ford or LMC ... They don't fit and need adjustment to work, in the end it ain't worth it!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Its here YouTube - 1984 F250 rag joint free play

 

Hard to really tell in the vid. Try again, with a little clearer angle, and wiggle the wheel instead of the shaft.
It doesn't take much play at the rag joint to make the steering feel rather loose.....

 

My rag joint didn't appear to have freeplay, so I didn't do anything to it for a couple of years, but when I did replace it recently, it made a noticeable difference. If your steering box needs adjustment, that makes a huge difference - there is a proper procedure outlined in the Haynes manual.

I also agree with Festus.....the replacement joint I was supplied was a cheap aftermarket brand. I had to spend time making it usable & safe.

 

Its amazing the difference in price for a rag joint. Borgeson wants over $100 while Lares only charges $35 for a complete unit

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...Term=rag+joint

Lares Corporation items - Get great deals on power steering gear, manual steering items on eBay Stores!

 

That Lares is a POS do not use it ... You will regret it!

It is not a proper replacement and needs modification to work!
It's a cheap POS!

I wound up having to custom make shoulder bolts to make it work, I am about to replace it properly now that my truck is down and apart.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

What about this one?
1980-96 NEW Ford Steering Rag Joint Coupler: eBay Motors (item 260350973998 end time Jul-16-10 11:04:47 PDT)

 

Same thing!

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Ok one last ditch attempt. I just found that Borgesons have rag joints but which one? There are 5 pages of them. This is giving me some hope of saving at least $180 on a new shaft.


https://www.borgeson.com/xcart/searc...keep_https=yes

 

I don't know exactly what you have, I can only go from what I have and there is no certainty that what I have on my 86 is either the same as yours or even factory to mine!

If I counted correctly the gear box is 3/4"-36 spline, I need to verify.

However, between my 86 and 91 each one is different from the other.
The 86 I do not like anything about, shaft, upper joint or rag joint!
The 91 I like the upper joint and shaft, the shaft at the gear box is solid 3/4"DD, I'm going to cut the factory rag joint off and replace with Steering Universal Joint / Vibration Damper, Steel, 3/4-36 X 3/4DD, One could also use Steering Coupler, OEM Rag Joint Style, 3/4-36 X 3/4DD.

However neither one of those will work on the 86 shaft, on my 86 the shaft is a tube with the rag joint end squished to a 1"DD, I see it as a pain to adapt! I suspect your 84 is the same.

-Enjoy
fh : )_~