rag joint elimination? I'm fabbing up my own flaming river quality setup - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

jwdomino · 01-07-2009, 08:11 PM

heres the lower joint, the stainless 3/4 dd shaft and upper joint are still in the mail. I'll take more pics when complete, but this complete will run maybe 150 total in parts all polished stainless

Lonnie P · 01-07-2009, 11:08 PM

Keep us updated & post some pictures & part numbers.

I want to do this to my car when I bring it back out in the spring. My factory upper universal has some play in it & I was looking into building one like this as well.

jwdomino · 01-07-2009, 11:19 PM

I ended up starting a similar post in fabrication that has the links to the same items I am using on ebay. check it out

84 1LE · 01-15-2009, 12:53 AM

Or you could take the cheap mans route.

Vetruck · 01-15-2009, 12:19 PM

I did this a few years back. Tried the aluminum disk "ragjoint eliminator" and had bind as a result so I went to Borgeson joints. The shaft looked nice going in but has now rusted.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...0150_large.jpg
I painted the one in my truck to about 1/2" before it telescoped, and I keep that last 1/2" greased.

jwdomino · 01-15-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vetruck

I did this a few years back. Tried the aluminum disk "ragjoint eliminator" and had bind as a result so I went to Borgeson joints. The shaft looked nice going in but has now rusted.
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...0150_large.jpg
I painted the one in my truck to about 1/2" before it telescoped, and I keep that last 1/2" greased.

I think I saw your pics maybe in a post on here. Thats exactly why I am going 100% stainless vs. bare mild steel. Paint even high temp would eventually burn off and where the joints are paint is a no-no.

84 1LE · 01-15-2009, 12:36 PM

I painted mine right before i installed it.That was some 5-6 years ago.Just regular ol spray can & it still has'nt peeled or burned off.There is no issue with paint on the u-joints either.Since they have a seal to keep out debris & keep in grease.

Dale · 01-15-2009, 01:40 PM

I bought an astro van shaft years ago to do this but never got to it due to no welder. Now that I have a welder, cant seem to find the shaft I bought. Is this setup going to be mostly bolt together?

jwdomino · 01-15-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

I bought an astro van shaft years ago to do this but never got to it due to no welder. Now that I have a welder, cant seem to find the shaft I bought. Is this setup going to be mostly bolt together?

100% bolt together
in fact the last of the parts arrived today and I will be installing it tonight and will post pics

84 1LE · 01-15-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

I bought an astro van shaft years ago to do this but never got to it due to no welder. Now that I have a welder, cant seem to find the shaft I bought. Is this setup going to be mostly bolt together?

I welded my U-joints to the 3rd gen steering shaft.The shaft was cut about 3/4 inch.The box end U-joint slips on, but the firewall end is pressed to the shaft.They were both welded to the shaft at the ends.Its a telescoping shaft.So it will collapse if ever there were a front collision.The part that bolts on are the ends.To the box & steering column on the firewall.

Dale · 01-15-2009, 03:30 PM

84, I see how you got confused. I knew the astro van shaft needed to be welded. I was talking about this new setup the guy posted. Sorry.

So 100% bolt, sweet. Please post some pics.

jwdomino · 01-15-2009, 09:03 PM

bought a 36" long shaft so i just took it down to the shop and cut it down on the lathe.
I'll post pics tonight of the parts assembled and maybe on the car if I feel ambitious

jwdomino · 01-15-2009, 09:23 PM

jwdomino · 01-15-2009, 10:15 PM

WillSpeedy · 01-16-2009, 09:56 PM

I'll admit I don't know jack about steering. But what is the other bar for in your pics of the parts? Let us know how it works on the street.

RevItUpZ28 · 01-17-2009, 02:31 AM

I made a similar shaft last year using flaming river parts, too.

Vetruck · 01-17-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwdomino

I think I saw your pics maybe in a post on here. Thats exactly why I am going 100% stainless vs. bare mild steel. Paint even high temp would eventually burn off and where the joints are paint is a no-no.

Epoxy piant on the shaft. Been on their a year now and cleans off great when wiped.
The joints I used are in fact also from Flaming River and were ALSO stainless steel. Look at the rust spots on the swivel caps. You are still going to get it, some parts are only strong in mild steel for safety. Mine looked that nice going in just like the post directly above this pictured.