? about steering coupler and new steering box leak - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Yukon Jack** · 07-21-2006, 04:07 PM

Today I was backing out of a driveway and when the front wheels were in the gutter the truck must have flexed a bit. The steering coupler gave out - ripped rag joint where the bolts connect the steering shaft to the rag joint.

How do I get the old rag joint off?

Do the two pins like shown here need to be removed so the old rag joint comes off and the new can go on? If so, are they pressed in or how do I get them out?

Secondly, I now have a drip from the steering box from where the shaft goes into the steering gear box as shown here

Is there a seal in that location that probably got damaged when the rag joint gave way? If so, how does one go about fixing that problem.

Thanks!

OhioDan · 07-21-2006, 05:41 PM

This might be an answer for your rag joint?

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...uck/RAG730.htm

Hope this is what you're looking for? Not sure about the seal.

Huck · 07-21-2006, 07:25 PM

Jack, the fibre joint is an easy replacement but get a new one as the old one's are often rotted. There is a seal in the top of the steering box that almost always leaks over time. You need to remove the coupler to fix the problem. There is a nut and a bolt that lock the coupler in place---the shaft of the box has a detent "U" in it so you need to take the locking bolt OUT in order to get that coupler off (ask me how I know that!!). Once off, there is a big locking NUT that you wack with a hammer and screw driver to get it to unscrew. Once that is off, you can remove some stuff to get at the seal. They sell a rebuild kit or just the seal at Napa. I would just get the seal as the leaks are almost always this top one and rearely the steering arm seal. Check one of your truck service manuals---it has a breakout of the box and you can see the components. Huck

**Yukon Jack** · 07-21-2006, 08:28 PM

Thanks! That makes since Huck. I think I'm going to add a u-joint at the gear box. Already have one up at where collapsable shaft attaches to the steering column.

Wouldn't you know it when I was getting the coupler off the tool I was using to pry the coupler off hit my fender and chipped some paint off

4x4 70 Chevy guy · 07-21-2006, 11:17 PM

I just recently had the same problem. But sadly my gearbox still leaks...

I replaced just the seal even though i bought the whole seal kit. I heard that they are a pain to completely go through if you dont know what you are doing. its a slow leak so I just deal with it. Good luck by any means.

07-21-2006, 04:07 PM	#1
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	? about steering coupler and new steering box leak Today I was backing out of a driveway and when the front wheels were in the gutter the truck must have flexed a bit. The steering coupler gave out - ripped rag joint where the bolts connect the steering shaft to the rag joint. How do I get the old rag joint off? Do the two pins like shown here need to be removed so the old rag joint comes off and the new can go on? If so, are they pressed in or how do I get them out? Secondly, I now have a drip from the steering box from where the shaft goes into the steering gear box as shown here Is there a seal in that location that probably got damaged when the rag joint gave way? If so, how does one go about fixing that problem. Thanks! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

07-21-2006, 05:41 PM	#2
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Re: ? about steering coupler and new steering box leak This might be an answer for your rag joint? http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...uck/RAG730.htm Hope this is what you're looking for? Not sure about the seal. __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started. Last edited by OhioDan; 07-21-2006 at 05:43 PM.

07-21-2006, 07:25 PM	#3
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Re: ? about steering coupler and new steering box leak Jack, the fibre joint is an easy replacement but get a new one as the old one's are often rotted. There is a seal in the top of the steering box that almost always leaks over time. You need to remove the coupler to fix the problem. There is a nut and a bolt that lock the coupler in place---the shaft of the box has a detent "U" in it so you need to take the locking bolt OUT in order to get that coupler off (ask me how I know that!!). Once off, there is a big locking NUT that you wack with a hammer and screw driver to get it to unscrew. Once that is off, you can remove some stuff to get at the seal. They sell a rebuild kit or just the seal at Napa. I would just get the seal as the leaks are almost always this top one and rearely the steering arm seal. Check one of your truck service manuals---it has a breakout of the box and you can see the components. Huck

07-21-2006, 08:28 PM	#4
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: ? about steering coupler and new steering box leak Thanks! That makes since Huck. I think I'm going to add a u-joint at the gear box. Already have one up at where collapsable shaft attaches to the steering column. Wouldn't you know it when I was getting the coupler off the tool I was using to pry the coupler off hit my fender and chipped some paint off __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 Last edited by Yukon Jack; 07-21-2006 at 08:29 PM.

07-21-2006, 11:17 PM	#5
4x4 70 Chevy guy Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Weatherford, Tx Posts: 23	Re: ? about steering coupler and new steering box leak I just recently had the same problem. But sadly my gearbox still leaks... I replaced just the seal even though i bought the whole seal kit. I heard that they are a pain to completely go through if you dont know what you are doing. its a slow leak so I just deal with it. Good luck by any means. __________________ 1970 3/4 ton 4x4 Lwb - 396ci. w/disc brakes up front (work in progress)



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