I have some real sloppy play in my steering, I have narrowed it down to my rag joint, its a 84 ta car, it looks like it is held on by rivets. How do you remove it and what do you use to replace the rivets? Thanks for the help. Steve

 

When that happened to me, I was unable to find the correct "rag" to go in there. I ended up having to buy the steering column piece that it fastens to from GM. It wasn't very expensive, less than $35 IIRC.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."

 

I found one a NAPA aut parts for $11. I bought a truck model which had 2 extra plys compared to my Z28 joint. The kit came with 2 studs. To replace the rivets where it bolts to the intermediate shaft, i used grade 8 bolts with "jam nuts" which are 1/2 height. After it was bolted together i cut the extra threads off and peened the end over the jam nut. It was the best $11 i spent on this car. If you can get the complete assembly for $35 like RB did, i recommend that route. I dont have any connections at the GM dealers so i generally get r@ped when i need to go there!

 

I replaced the rag joint on my car a few months ago, and I had the same problem. What I did was take a grinder and grind off the heads of these "rivets" I found out that they were solid pins that eventually slid out. It's really easy to do if you have a grinder; just be careful you don't damage the two ends. I got a universal kit for GM and it bolted right in, and it relly tightened the steering up.