Rag Joint Replaced

[rickrat]

Truck was wandering all over the road. I replaced the rag joint, problem fixed.

Only thing that sucked is that Ford press fit the original joint. Had to remove the steering linkage and drill it out. Then I ended up having to modify another rag joint to work.

All is well now though! If anyone else has steering slop, its well worth it to check the rag joint. Even though mine looked good, it had "softened" up enough that it flexed like crazy resulting in play.

 

[f-two-fiddy]

FYI the older (83-87) fiber rag joints can be eliminated by using a newer style (88-96) rubber joint. Just by swapping out the intermidiate steering shaft.

 

[rickrat]

Are the rubber ones considered better?

 

[diesel4me2]

just replaced mine with a borgson. WOW what a difference, no more disconnected feeling for me. it uses u-joints instead of the rag/rubber discs
chris

 

[Morgoon]

Just wondering what the borg shaft cost you..I had an ol' dodge I wanted to put one of those in for a long time...

 

[diesel4me2]

less than 3 bills. expensive i know, but it was worth every penny after i drove it.
chris

 

[HammerDown]

Are the rubber ones considered better?

I've heard the rubber over time can deteorioate from oil...maybe from a leaky PS pump.

 

[f-two-fiddy]

Yeah but considerng that they're 10 years newer than the fiber ones....

The Fiber rag joint is prolly more suseptable to oil soaking.