Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**K10-Kansas** · 12-19-2022, 12:44 PM

Same spline count, measures to be the same size, but won't go on in place of the old rag joint. I'm putting the new one on exactly how the old one came off and it won't go on lined up in the exact same flat spot position. Not even with a hammer. I haven't tried hitting it too hard. The only thing I can think of is that the old rag joint and the steering box shaft have been worn and damaged in the exact same pattern together so now something new won't fit on because it doesn't match that deformed pattern.

Help. I don't want to replace my steering box too. Any advice?

cj847 · 12-19-2022, 01:51 PM

There are two couplers available for 67-72 trucks. One is 3/4" (36 spline) the other is 13/16" (31 spline). It appears you have the 13/16" version.

I had the same problem about 6 months ago.....

71meangreenc10 · 12-19-2022, 03:34 PM

Rockauto part number 200 or 201. Look for Lares product. I always keep one of each on hand.

Smitty

**K10-Kansas** · 12-19-2022, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj847

There are two couplers available for 67-72 trucks. One is 3/4" (36 spline) the other is 13/16" (31 spline). It appears you have the 13/16" version.

I had the same problem about 6 months ago.....

Yeah, the old and new in the picture are the 31 spline. Any advice on getting it on?

geezer#99 · 12-19-2022, 05:55 PM

You could try chamfering the edge.
Small round file or emery cloth.
Or spread the clamp a bit with a flat screwdriver.

geezer#99 · 12-19-2022, 06:01 PM

Thinking more on it, best to spread the clamp end.

**kwmech** · 12-19-2022, 06:05 PM

Don't know if it is my monitor or not, but to me the new rag joint looks like it has more splines compared to the old

**K10-Kansas** · 12-19-2022, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Don't know if it is my monitor or not, but to me the new rag joint looks like it has more splines compared to the old

Yeah I could imagine it's real hard to tell from the picture I counted them real carefully a few times and they're the same number.

**K10-Kansas** · 12-19-2022, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Thinking more on it, best to spread the clamp end.

I think this is a great idea. It looks like a hydraulic spreader is 120 bucks. I'm not sure how else to spread them apart.

**LockDoc** · 12-19-2022, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

I think this is a great idea. It looks like a hydraulic spreader is 120 bucks. I'm not sure how else to spread them apart.

You should be able to gently drive a chisel or something like that in just far enough to get it on the shaft. Don't go any farther than you absolutely have to or you won't be able to get the bolt back in.

LockDoc

RustyPile · 12-20-2022, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

I think this is a great idea. It looks like a hydraulic spreader is 120 bucks. I'm not sure how else to spread them apart.

Do you have a pair of channel-loc pliers?? Thread the bolt into the coupler, leaving ~ 1/8 - 3/16" space under the head.. One jaw of the pliers in the slot, and the other jaw on the head of the bolt. Squeeze the pliers taking note of the gap width. Work slowly, checking the fit occasionally until the coupler slides over the shaft.

**Grumpy old man** · 12-20-2022, 09:24 AM

Place 2 flat blade screw drivers in the gap and spead the screw drivers apart thus widening the gap enough to slide it in place , it doesn't take much to get it on then install locking bolt . easy peasy .

**K10-Kansas** · 12-22-2022, 12:13 AM

After trying a few different ways, I finally found a method that worked.

72SB · 12-22-2022, 03:48 PM

BFH & pry bar....aka speed wrench.

good you FIO OP

12-19-2022, 12:44 PM	#1
K10-Kansas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Kansas City Posts: 497	Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on Same spline count, measures to be the same size, but won't go on in place of the old rag joint. I'm putting the new one on exactly how the old one came off and it won't go on lined up in the exact same flat spot position. Not even with a hammer. I haven't tried hitting it too hard. The only thing I can think of is that the old rag joint and the steering box shaft have been worn and damaged in the exact same pattern together so now something new won't fit on because it doesn't match that deformed pattern. Help. I don't want to replace my steering box too. Any advice? Attached Images

12-19-2022, 01:51 PM	#2
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 573	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on There are two couplers available for 67-72 trucks. One is 3/4" (36 spline) the other is 13/16" (31 spline). It appears you have the 13/16" version. I had the same problem about 6 months ago.....

12-19-2022, 03:34 PM	#3
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on Rockauto part number 200 or 201. Look for Lares product. I always keep one of each on hand. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 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 home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

12-19-2022, 05:55 PM	#5
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on You could try chamfering the edge. Small round file or emery cloth. Or spread the clamp a bit with a flat screwdriver.

12-19-2022, 06:01 PM	#6
geezer#99 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bowser Posts: 13,731	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on Thinking more on it, best to spread the clamp end.

12-19-2022, 06:05 PM	#7
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,628	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on Don't know if it is my monitor or not, but to me the new rag joint looks like it has more splines compared to the old

12-20-2022, 09:24 AM	#12
Grumpy old man Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Gods country East,Tn Posts: 8,545	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on Place 2 flat blade screw drivers in the gap and spead the screw drivers apart thus widening the gap enough to slide it in place , it doesn't take much to get it on then install locking bolt . easy peasy . __________________ 1967 Factory short bed - Old school '71 - 350 / 4bolt / 487 heads / Edelbrock C3BX Muncie M-22 4 speed / Hurst Comp plus Factory 12 bolt posi 3.73 / 255-70-15 Smoothed firewall / Factory cowl induction Power disc brakes / power steering / 3.5-5" drop

12-22-2022, 12:13 AM	#13
K10-Kansas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Kansas City Posts: 497	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on After trying a few different ways, I finally found a method that worked. Attached Images Last edited by LockDoc; 12-22-2022 at 12:33 PM. Reason: Rotate Picture

12-22-2022, 03:48 PM	#14
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 774	Re: Rag joint, steering coupler won't go on BFH & pry bar....aka speed wrench. good you FIO OP



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