stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

I just replaced my steering coupler on my truck. The truck had loose wandering steering prior to the parts replacement. I did something incorrect during install. The trucks power steering groans and squeals when I turn the wheel back and forth. The truck did not make any sounds prior to the rag joint replacement. During the install I never touched the steering box adjuster or the steering box. The steering is now super stiff almost like it doesnt have power steering at all. before install the power steering worked wonderfully. The only thing I can think of is that I installed the new part incorrect somehow. even though it seemed pretty straight forward I must of missed something. after looking things over I had a few questions:

Does the rag joint go all the way back on the steering box? Or should there be a small gap between the box and the rag joint? The new rag joint slid easily all the way to the back when installing. Picture below.

Secondly the only other thing I can think of is that the upper steering column needs to move up a little? should the c-clamp bracket touch those bump stops on the shaft? There is 1/3 of an inch gap between the bracket and the bump stop. or is how its placed good enough. picture below. Do you think this would cause a problem or am I missing something else here.

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

can you show a photo of the rag joint? Also that bolt in the first photo looks awfully rounded off...

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

The bolt should not rub on the steering box. That compression coupling needs to slide up the steering box shaft some. I am not sure on all the years, but it seems to me the steering box splined input shaft has a grove on it that the edge of the retainer bolt shaft slides past providing not only positioning but also leverage not allowing the connection to slip. You should be using a hardened bolt. Did you use a soft smaller sized bolt to get it to pass the grove on the input shaft?

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

I would pull the new one off and do side by side comparison with the old one. I suspect you will find the new one extends farther towards the box than the old one. The critical dimension will be from the bolt ( Which sets the rag joint's position on the shaft.) and the edge nearest the box. The bolt hole could easily have been mis-drilled and or a poor casting would cause the binding you are experiencing.

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

Looks like it’s binding on the steering box . There should be a space here

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

Here’s an example of the space, mentioned in the previous post

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

ah thanks guys. The space difference is obvious. Im going to try to loosen things up and gently tap it forward a little. thanks for your help

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

Be sure to come back and let us know if your able to correct the problem.

Re: stiff steering after rag joint replacement
 

Thank you, guys, so much. I finally got around to loosening the steering shaft and shimmying it into the correct place. There is no binding or noise now. The bolt on the rag joint was definitely worn from rubbing so that was the problem. I just need to go to the hardware store and replace that bolt i ruined and im good to go. thanks for your help.