How difficult is it to replace the rag joint in my '69? PITA? The column needs to slide back to access it I assume? There is not a lot of room with the headers & p/brake booster.
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replacing a rag joint--difficulty?
- Thread starter SAC69
- Start date
Not sure about that specific year it is from a '67 but I would imagine its pretty similar.
I did not have to change mine but, I did have to remove the steering column. It was easy to get out but, it was a pain getting it seated back in the joint. On mine I could turn the wheel so that the heads of the bolts were pointed up and used a long extension. My son helped line it up when I stabbed it back in. You can make marks with a sharpie prior to removal to help line everything back up on re-install. One thing I noticed, it would be really easy to cross thread those rag joint bolts so, even though it would be tempting to leave them out to make reinstall easier, you might want to make sure that when you put it all back together to have the bolts in the joint at least started.
I did not have to change mine but, I did have to remove the steering column. It was easy to get out but, it was a pain getting it seated back in the joint. On mine I could turn the wheel so that the heads of the bolts were pointed up and used a long extension. My son helped line it up when I stabbed it back in. You can make marks with a sharpie prior to removal to help line everything back up on re-install. One thing I noticed, it would be really easy to cross thread those rag joint bolts so, even though it would be tempting to leave them out to make reinstall easier, you might want to make sure that when you put it all back together to have the bolts in the joint at least started.
Sluggo
Active Member
I can't imagine having to do it from the top. It would suck. Mine has Long tubes, PB and clutch master in the way from the top.
It was pretty easy doing it on the lift. Compressing the column and then getting it back in place was the worst part, but still not bad on the lift. I used a prybar to compress it. Laying on your back with car on jackstands, it would be tough to get a good angle on the bar. I also had the header off as I was putting in the Borgeson box.
It could have been done without removing the header if not for the the size difference in the steering boxes.
It was pretty easy doing it on the lift. Compressing the column and then getting it back in place was the worst part, but still not bad on the lift. I used a prybar to compress it. Laying on your back with car on jackstands, it would be tough to get a good angle on the bar. I also had the header off as I was putting in the Borgeson box.
It could have been done without removing the header if not for the the size difference in the steering boxes.
Can just the rag joint/rubber donut itself be replaced w/o moving the column back & removing the collar for the rag? It seems like there may just be enough clearance to do so.
Sluggo, when you say "pry" the column back was it just to gain a little clearance to slip the donut in place w/o removing the collar?
Thanks
Sluggo, when you say "pry" the column back was it just to gain a little clearance to slip the donut in place w/o removing the collar?
Thanks
Badass70
Member
I did mine when I replaced my steering box and didn't remove the column but my motor was also out of the car so it made it much easier.
Sluggo
Active Member
"SAC69" said:
In my case the column had to move back about 3 inches to accommodate the new box. I don't think you can slip it out without collapsing the column at least a little bit. It never hurts to try though.