Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-28-2018, 07:01 PM

I was rebuilding my rag joint when I noticed the inside of the original coupler may be worn. My first thought was yeah it's toast, but I'm not so sure. Seems the shaft on the steering box would show more wear. Can anyone confirm?

Quality replacement rag joints anyone? At a glance they look to run $25-$70ish.

Thanks

88gtstreetrod · 08-28-2018, 07:09 PM

The flat spot on the steering shaft and the smooth part on the coupler line up. The parts shown look to be in decent shape to me.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-28-2018, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88gtstreetrod

The flat spot on the steering shaft and the smooth part on the coupler line up. The parts shown look to be in decent shape to me.

Both the coupler and shaft have a flat spot. The flat area on the coupler is shown on the right in the picture. Essentially I'm looking for confirmation the splines shown in the coupler (between the arrows) is all there was.

Strikes me odd the manufacturer would build a coupler with fewer splines than the shaft, but then I have nothing to compare it to, and kinda green anyhow.

88gtstreetrod · 08-28-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Both the coupler and shaft have a flat spot. The flat area on the coupler is shown on the right in the picture. Essentially I'm looking for confirmation the splines shown in the coupler (between the arrows) is all there was.

Strikes me odd the manufacturer would build a coupler with fewer splines than the shaft, but then I have nothing to compare it to, and kinda green anyhow.

If the area between the arrows is the only part on the rag joint that has splines, then you are probably missing some splines due to wear. My rag joint was about 70% spline and 30% flat area.

71meangreenc10 · 08-28-2018, 10:45 PM

Lares Part Number 200 or 201 depending on the size of the shaft. I get them from RockAuto, They are made in USA and very good quality. Less than $20 + shipping.

Smitty

**Steeveedee** · 08-28-2018, 10:53 PM

It doesn't slide. Once those splines are properly engaged, that shaft isn't going to lose registration on the clamping part, end of story. And I live in southern California, where we won't buy a vehicle if there is a bubble anywhere in the paint.

**mike16** · 08-29-2018, 01:04 AM

clean it up with a small wire brush.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-29-2018, 12:24 PM

Thanks for all the info. I'm not convinced the old one is bad, but just in case, I'll order the Lares part.

71meangreenc10 · 08-29-2018, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

Thanks for all the info. I'm not convinced the old one is bad, but just in case, I'll order the Lares part.

You wont be disappointed.

Smitty

08-28-2018, 07:01 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,692	Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? I was rebuilding my rag joint when I noticed the inside of the original coupler may be worn. My first thought was yeah it's toast, but I'm not so sure. Seems the shaft on the steering box would show more wear. Can anyone confirm? Quality replacement rag joints anyone? At a glance they look to run $25-$70ish. Thanks Attached Images __________________ Tony 1971 C10 Custom Deluxe SWB 402/400TH A/C I developed an assembly information kit for restoring my truck from nuts and bolts. It's written in Assy. order, short & simple, packed with all OEM hardware ID; castings; part ID; 100s of part numbers; wiring simple - Resource, and trivial too. Much info. applies to all 67-72 GM, A/C vehicles, esp. trucks W/O saying. Full search ability, including to 700+ images of illus., parts, charts, Assy., points of interest, cab, bed, & front clip cart plans- Specials and cores were serviced out and R excluded e.g. front/rear glass, body/paint, engine core, rebuilt hinges, steering box, trans, etc. The project was in-line with long former professions developing process, policy, specs, demo, written for novices, admin., policy, engineers, development, systems & test - Public & govt 2, gross. Sell soft copy cheaply, PM if interested.Build thread:https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

08-28-2018, 07:09 PM	#2
88gtstreetrod Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 45	Re: Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? The flat spot on the steering shaft and the smooth part on the coupler line up. The parts shown look to be in decent shape to me.

08-28-2018, 10:45 PM	#5
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,262	Re: Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? Lares Part Number 200 or 201 depending on the size of the shaft. I get them from RockAuto, They are made in USA and very good quality. Less than $20 + shipping. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=841215 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

08-28-2018, 10:53 PM	#6
Steeveedee Ram-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 11,903	Re: Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? It doesn't slide. Once those splines are properly engaged, that shaft isn't going to lose registration on the clamping part, end of story. And I live in southern California, where we won't buy a vehicle if there is a bubble anywhere in the paint. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

08-29-2018, 01:04 AM	#7
mike16 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: bisbee, arizona Posts: 1,609	Re: Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? clean it up with a small wire brush.

08-29-2018, 12:24 PM	#8
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,692	Re: Is this rag joint coupler bad, and where to get a good replacement? Thanks for all the info. I'm not convinced the old one is bad, but just in case, I'll order the Lares part. __________________ Tony 1971 C10 Custom Deluxe SWB 402/400TH A/C I developed an assembly information kit for restoring my truck from nuts and bolts. It's written in Assy. order, short & simple, packed with all OEM hardware ID; castings; part ID; 100s of part numbers; wiring simple - Resource, and trivial too. Much info. applies to all 67-72 GM, A/C vehicles, esp. trucks W/O saying. Full search ability, including to 700+ images of illus., parts, charts, Assy., points of interest, cab, bed, & front clip cart plans- Specials and cores were serviced out and R excluded e.g. front/rear glass, body/paint, engine core, rebuilt hinges, steering box, trans, etc. The project was in-line with long former professions developing process, policy, specs, demo, written for novices, admin., policy, engineers, development, systems & test - Public & govt 2, gross. Sell soft copy cheaply, PM if interested.Build thread:https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025



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