[FameSS-396]

I am trying to install an NOS rag joint on my 68 SS with power steering.
It does not seem to fit over the spline shaft that comes out of the steering box.
I have spread the "ears" out and it still wont go on the shaft.
The only thing I can think of is if there is a difference in the size of the female opening between a non power steering rag joint and one for with power steering.
Am I correct here or do I just have to stretch it out more?

Are there any other differences between the two?
Also, I saw another rag joint that had a wire connector built into it.
I am assuming this is for grounding purposes and wonder if it is required?
Thanks for the help,
Fred

 

[Bowtie70ss]

I believe power steering and manual steering use different splines. The ground wire is for the horn.

 

[FameSS-396]

Dave,
It seems like the shaft out of the gear box is about 1/16th bigger in diameter than the rag joint. I need to get a set of measuring calipers to make sure, but I took a 13/16th open end wrench and it fit over the shaft. When I took and put he wrench over the opening of the rag joint to compare the size, it looked about a 1/16th smaller than the wrench.

 

[JIML82]

The early power steering gears (up until 1977) had input shafts that were 13/16 diameter. In 1977 the power gear shaft was changed to 3/4 diameter.

The manual gear input shafts were 3/4 diameter but had fewer splines than the power gear input shaft. So they will not interchange.

You can try Classic Industries in Huntington Beach, CA
Part number G5125 This is a 67-76 Camaro flexible coupling but I am quite sure that you could make it work.

Also you can try Ground Up
Part number ATE-8871 This also is a 67-69 Camaro flexible coupling.

The part may come to you with orange colored plastic spacers on the stop pins. Take them off and throw them away since your Chevelle has an intermediate steering shaft and does not need the spacers to align things.

Jim

 

[FameSS-396]

Thanks for the replies.
I believe you hit the nail on the head.
It looks like I have a non-power steering rag joint.
I ordered the one from Ground-up. Should be here on Tuesday.
Thanks,
Fred

 

[FameSS-396]

Well.. I received the rag joint that I ordered from Ground-Up.
It fits, but it looks nothing like the original in the picture on their web site.
So I ordered another from Classic Industries in hopes that it looks more like the original.
I will also be interested in purchasing another NOS rag joint if someone has one available.
I will put a WTB ad in the classifieds.
Thanks again.

 

[Bowtie70ss]

Those rag joints go for a pretty penny. Watch e-bay also...I think there is a guy who rebuilds them as original also on ebay.

 

[Dan Orgill]

Contact Chip Woyner at Power Steering services for a correct rag joint

www.powersteering.com