Hi guys,

I'm going to buy some new parts to solve my steering play. I would like to ask you if you think that a new steering coupling assembly is fundamental as far as the play/loose is concerned.

Because of shipping, it costs me more than the other pieces :/

 

that is often called a "rag joint"-you can observe the rag joint while someone moves the steering wheel to see if it has loosend up and causing steering play(plastic steering shaft guard will need unclipped and moved for a good view)IF the rag joint needs replaced,it is sometimes replaced with the steering shaft from a ~1997 chevy astro van shaft as an upgrade to needle bearing "u-joints"from the rag joint.IIRC, certain jeep steering shafts can also work.

 

I've read in the net that rag joint is pretty old and no usend anymore in cars since many years, and yes, it causes steering play.

That's interesting, that is, replacing a shaft with rag joint with a u-joint shaft. Could you be more precise? Is it a complex procedure? What parts will I need?

thanks!!

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ing-shaft.html

although James had some issues with his, I've several miles on mine.

a leaky input plug at the steering box will kill a rag joint fast. double check your's is dry or install a shaft seal. pretty simple procedure.

 

I had a worn rag joint and after replacing it, was very surprised how much tighter my steering was. I did this repair on my 83 Camaro.

 

Thank you naf, but I didnt understand this completely. I would really appreciate if you could be a bit more simple (I'm italian)

THANKS!

 

Check the front seal on your gear box to ensure it is not leaking.

 

We checked and it didn't seem to leak whatsoever. Here a picture:



thanks

 

The rag joint is sometimes loose, but most if the okay is probably in the box.
It can be determined clearly by observing the system while someone moves the steering wheel.
Your box is clearly leaking at the pitman shaft, rebuild the whole thing while its out.
You need an inch-lb torque wrench to do it properly.

 

Yeah, we rapidly tested it.

Here some pictures of my rag joint. Mechanic said is it fine right now:

 

Yeah, stealtht/a is absolutely correct!!!There's a fluid leak where the pitman arm meets the box and a small leak at the input shaft caused by a bad seal!!!!However,replacing or rebuilding the gear box will solve the problem.

 

Sorry for the typos earlier.
Rag joint looks fine.
This type of steering gear always develops play over time. Rebuilding is not too hard. A little tedious and it does require special tools. Once you do one of them, they get a lot faster the next time.
Don't bother adjusting the over center, that NEVER helps.

 

Im happy you agree that rag looks fine because ultimately I decided not to buy it.

I dont wanna rebuild. I'm just going to put a new gearbox.
What do you mean with "adjust the over center" ?

thanks

 

It seems that most if the rebuilt gearboxes aren't built very well. I would take any rebuilt box and check the torque settings. Might as well rebuild the one you have.
The over center adj is the nut on top of the box. The tension is set properly by measuring the torque on the input shaft. Has to be disconnected from everything else.
Many people just tighten it to try and fix the box play. Usually just makes the car wander more when done in the car.

 

thanks but this sounds complicated to me. I just can say I've bought a new gearbox. My mechanic will put the new one here. Hope this will be enought to overcome the play/loose.
Any suggestion for my mechanic?

 

The "new" gear box will be rebuilt. All depends who rebuilds it. I would check and reset as necessary the torque specs on the input shaft and pitman shaft. These require a good inch pound dial indicated torque wrench. Factory service manual has the specs.

 

What ratio did you get?

 

I just bought the new ACDelco steering gear from rockauto.com. I hope it will be already tuned and fine