Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

So my dad and I are at odds over if I need to replace the bowtie of the rag joint. I think that the bowtie is fine, but my dad thinks that some of the splines have been worn off. The area in question is the right side of the bowtie. What do y'all think?

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

I'm a hard-headed old man who worked as a mechanical engineer for many years. I'd replace it, personally. It's probably OK. Probably is a word of little value when it comes to certain safety critical items like this.

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

Thank you for your input. If I can find out that the area in question is not ok with my part, I will replace it. If it came from the factory with that part not splined, then I think it will be ok for me to use it again

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

Got another pic. If there were splines on this part that had been wiped out from wear, would there still be remnants of the splines in the slot where the bolt rides on the steering gear shaft?

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

This part may have got past the Quality control section of production
and run like that all these years.
Now you have a choice.
Full contact of a new one that you can be the Quality control guy,
or run that one and hope it does not spin on the shaft at anytime.
Safety first!
This is my 2 cents.:chevy:









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Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

It does look kind of worn on the one side which indicates the pinch bolt may have been loose. I think it would be OK with PS. With a mechanical box maybe you could get it to slip a tooth when maneuvering in a tight parking spot but not so likely if the bolt is tight.

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

The bolt was definitely tight. Once I got the bolt out, I spent at least 30 minutes wacking the box with a hammer and using a pry bar to get them disconnected. Took me awhile, but I finally got it apart

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

I did some more digging through the site and found this. This rag joint that member Praxiss454 rebuilt for his truck looks exactly like mine. No splines in the area I circled in red

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=31

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

You only have 1 dad. (taking care of my 91 year old dad with Alzheimer's now). Let him win every now and then, how much does that part cost? Just a thought?

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

So they was made that way.
Learn something every day.
There's a wealth of info here on the site.
I just wonder what the replacement part looks like?









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Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

You are right, I do only have one dad, and I am extremely grateful that we have been able to work on this truck together even though we do disagree sometimes. We are both concerned about safety in this case. A replacement rag joint is 30 to 50 bucks depending on where I get it from. Cost wise, not a big deal. Time wise, I want to go to a cruise in on Tuesday, and at the very least was wondering if I could run it until I get a replacement here around this time next week

Now that I'm certain it is factory, I feel comfortable that it is ok to run it.
I found a replacement on Rockauto, but it does have splines completely around. The other places that offered them does not have a clear picture showing the splines.


I think what I will do is put the rag joint back together with the rebuild kit that I already have so I can make it to the cruise in on Tuesday, then order the one from Rockauto for the extra splines, put it in, and have the rebuilt one as a backup

Thanks y'all for the input!

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

I created several DIY pages that explain all aspects of a 1963-66 manual 3 speed steering column rebuild. You might find what you need here.

1963-66 Steering Column Rebuild Page

All of the steering column pages can be found HERE.

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

Thank you for doing the write up about it. Your pictures and directions were super helpful for me earlier today when I was getting everything back together.

I'm happy to report that I was able to get everything back together and that the truck drives so much better now

Also, my dad and I had a great laugh today when I was trying to stick the forward most nut onto the steering box bolts and kept spinning it left instead of right because I was looking at it from the steering gear side. After struggling for a little bit, he finally asked "Are you turning it the right way?" :lol:

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

That is a how many years old truck!? I've never seen a steering coupling where the outer piece had no splines unless it was damaged. You can do what you want to do, and maybe there will be no consequence. People can do whatever they want. As an engineer, I could design a press fit, but would never ever have made a press fit where safety was involved. It would be either cross pins (if they didn't compromise the strength) or matching splines. YMMV

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

Interesting thread. Here is yet more interesting fact/ photos. I have had this NOS Saginaw steering coupling in my inventory of parts, just waiting to put on my 66. Never thought to look at it closely as it is NOS. Today I pulled it out to look it over, and much to my surprise! Well I will attach photos for all to see.

Re: Rag Joint Rebuild Question
 

Well dang, I didn't even think that a NOS part would be out there. Thanks for the pics and information!