How to get rag joint apart

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Oct 1, 2000 | 11:58 AM
  #1  
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
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Oct 1, 2000 | 10:30 PM
  #2  
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..."
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Oct 2, 2000 | 08:16 PM
  #3  
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!
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Oct 3, 2000 | 08:22 PM
  #4  
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.
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