Steering rag joint

rodhhrod wrote: Is there a difference from a 69 to 70 rag joint for the steering? Here is the situation, I switched the 70 steering box and installed a 69 unit. Now my steering wheel is way out of whack. I was thinking the rag joint might be different.

401MatadorCoupe once answered the question last year... I assume you went from manual steering to power steering. Which has a different coupler. I will look for the thread.

Here is a copy of his reply...

401MATCOUPE Aug/22/2017 at 4:46pm Quote 401MATCOUPE Quote Post Reply Reply
Originally posted by vinny vinny wrote:

Steering wheels go on in any position, do they not? That should take care of any 'clocking' problems.

The steering wheel will go on any position, very true. HOWEVER, on manual steering box the shaft is rag joint shaft is smaller, so you need a different rag joint (smaller diameter on Manual steering).

Secondly, on a 70 up Saginaw Steering Column there is a lock plate under the steering wheel, the lock plate has a master spline, which then "clocks" the Horn slip ring and contact pin to the steering wheel, which has a hole in about 10 o'clock position. The main steering shaft at the steering wheel side has a strike mark in it, that is supposed to be at 12 o'clock, when wheel is installed. Once it is centered up top, turn the key to the off position and the column is now locked centered.

Next the steering box must be Centered in its movement from full left to full right.......put it in the center and the rag joint which on Manual Steering cars has no master spline, should be installed at that locked column location, with box centered. If this is not followed you can end up with a "uncenterable" steering wheel, with car in correct alignment (toe) and can not be corrected by the tie rod end adjustment sleeves.

I hope this makes sense.

On Power Steering cars, it has a master spline, dictated by the rag joint spline squeeze bolt, that keeps the box in relative close alignment.

One extra note, none of this pertains to a 69 and prior car, since they do not have the steering column locking plate to cause alignment issues.


Edited by 401MATCOUPE - Aug/22/2017 at 6:19pm



Edited by 304-dude - Feb/22/2018 at 12:38pm