Rubber tire steering connector?

[cayoterun]

Dumb question?

Other than noise and vibration dampener, what's the purpose of the tire like connector on steering shafts??
Is it there for any safety reasons?
Is it required by law?

I'm building a steering shaft for an old truck. I know a slip joint and u-joints are necessary for flex, but have used farm tractors that never had that type of connector on them, and they lasted for years.
I don't want to compromise safety in any way on this build, but creature comforts, concerning cab noise and vibration in steering wheel and column aren't an issue.

Thanks,
Cayoterun

[FRENCHBLUE72]

They are called a rag joint and to the best of my knowledge they isolate road noise from the steering wheel.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by cayoterun

I don't want to compromise safety in any way on this build, but creature comforts, concerning cab noise and vibration in steering wheel and column aren't an issue.

It's not "creature comfort" any more than having rubber tires (instead of steel ones) is... it's a reasonable thing to build into a system that makes it drivable. You have to have joints in your steering, and for safety, a collapsible shaft, so you're already dealing with "less than pretty" parts in the system. Don't leave out the rag joint just for that.

[cayoterun]

I'm having to use two u-joints, so was going to have to put a bearing in the shaft to stabilize side twist if I added the rag joint. Truck won't be driven much. I was more concerned about any safety factors.

Thanks for the help,
Cayoterun

[XXL]

Originally Posted by cayoterun

I'm having to use two u-joints, so was going to have to put a bearing in the shaft to stabilize side twist if I added the rag joint. Truck won't be driven much. I was more concerned about any safety factors.

With 2 u-joints, I would consider it a safety factor if you don't include the bearing. Two u-joints, given the chance to compete over how much to wobble (because there's no intermediate carrier bearing to stabilize) are quite likely to bind up on one another, rendering your steering unstable... this is regardless of the rag joint question.

[cayoterun]

Thanks for the info. I need all the input I can get. It'll be next week before I get back to it.

Cayoterun