Technical Tips > Brakes, Suspensions, Steering, Wheels & Tyres

Steering rag joint (coupler) rebuild or replace ?

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anychevy:
My rag joint is pretty tired and contributing to steering play.
Has anyone had any experience with these rebuild kits ?
http://www.corvettecentral.com/
part # 562167
Some say they're junk, but this looks better than most ?
Any advice is welcome
Cheers

68rat:
Not to sure about that part, but i was reading this awhile back from http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76773

- The 63- 69(69 manual only) used a full 360* spline while the L69-82 used a coarse spline with a flat milled into it. The rag joints from 63-66 were the same and are $$$$ now, the Tele joints were different and I have not seen one. The 67-E69 rags are also different and the L69-82 are all the same. USE a GM rag if you need one. Pay the $100 or so and get it, forget about those repair kits I think they're junk. Remember I don't care what a vendor says this is coming from a restorer, owner, driver. NOTE: I no longer recommend ANY Rag joint from ANY supplier. I found the current GM rags have changed. They no longer are grounded and material isn't the same. They are not as rigid as they were a year ago and I suspect the supplier is not making them in the good ole USA anymore- I could be wrong but the ones I got in from my local GM dealership are not the same anymore. If you can find a NOS GM rag look for the wire mesh molded into the rag and red ink on the material. Hopefully someone will come up with a quality rag joint like the GM rags I used to buy but I wouldn't count on it. I have a couple left but will be holding on to them.

anychevy:
Thanks for your advice
Unfortunately (as you know) "genuine" GM rags are not available, or I would just buy one.
So, I have a choice of an $120 aftermarket assembly, or I rebuild mine with aftermarket parts.
The end result is probably the same and I need to fix it now, it's F-CKED !
I figure a rebuild kit is better than doing nothing and this one looks better than most.
Again, thanks for your advice.
Cheers

bfit:
I think you could adapt an LH TORANA
Joint
Most of the flex sections I see form the US  are made from conveyer belting
I don't think they would pass inspection
If anything unforeseen were to happen
BFit

77CVT:
I'm pretty sure this is the kit I got from Ecklers for my 71 http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corvette-steering-column-coupler-rag-joint-repair-kit-1963-1982.html

They probably are not perfect but if you aren't racing it I don't see much difference.

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