Rag joint question

[charlesg]

I have a 91 dually and going to replace the steering gear and figured I would do the rag joint at that time, does anyone have a good joint they would recomend?

 

[Craig 85]

I replaced the whole shaft with a Jeep style. It got rid of all the slop. I used Crown Automotive #4713943.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/retro-mod-jeep-intermediate-steering-shaft.1812/

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[MisterB]

I replaced the whole shaft with a Jeep style. It got rid of all the slop. I used Crown Automotive #4713943.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/retro-mod-jeep-intermediate-steering-shaft.1812/

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I have some slop in mine too (I guess that's where it's coming from). With the truck off, I can spin the whole shaft left and right an inch or two. The steering wheel inside the truck moves when I do this, but nothing else moves. Is that the shaft having an issue?

Also, why use a Jeep part, vs a new or rebuilt GM one?

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[Craig 85]

Also, why use a Jeep part, vs a new or rebuilt GM one?

This is practically straight bolt in. Only a small relief needs to be made in the steering column shaft to allow the upper bolt in the U-joint bolt on. This set up takes away the rubber in the rag joint that creates the flex. There are also bushings in the upper part of the GM shaft that can wear out causing slop. The Jeep shaft is still collapsible in a collision.

 

[charlesg]

Does this swap really make that big of a difference

 

[Craig 85]

I had replaced all of my front end parts except my king pin bushings (still tight). Parts included new leaf springs, bushings, all steering links, steering box and tires/wheels. I originally replaced the rag joint and the upper steering shaft bushings, but the truck still wandered on the road. I live in the mountains, so the roads aren't great and I have a 3" lift with 12.5" wide tires.

Adding the steering shaft, took all the play out of the steering wheel and gives you a lot better road feel.

 

[MisterB]

This is practically straight bolt in. Only a small relief needs to be made in the steering column shaft to allow the upper bolt in the U-joint bolt on. This set up takes away the rubber in the rag joint that creates the flex. There are also bushings in the upper part of the GM shaft that can wear out causing slop. The Jeep shaft is still collapsible in a collision.

How much did you pay? I went to their web site, and it says I have to log in to see the price

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[Craig 85]

Got mine at Summit Racing $104 w/ free shipping. Summit has it on sale for $94, but you need over $100 in products to get free shipping. Amazon has it for $109 w/ free shipping.

I bought new because I didn't feel like digging through a wrecking yard.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cwa-4713943

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-Automotive-4713943-Steering-Column/dp/B008VPWBTY

 

[MisterB]

Got mine at Summit Racing $104 w/ free shipping. Summit has it on sale for $94, but you need over $100 in products to get free shipping. Amazon has it for $109 w/ free shipping.

I bought new because I didn't feel like digging through a wrecking yard.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cwa-4713943

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-Automotive-4713943-Steering-Column/dp/B008VPWBTY

Awesome. Thanks. So does it sound like this would help with the play I described?

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[Craig 85]

It's hard to say. Have someone rock the wheel and watch to see if you have a lot of deflection in the rag joint. Mine was very visible, but everything was new on my truck. It still could be excess play in your steering box. I never had that issue. My box just leaked profusely, thus the reason for replacement.

My '79 K15 would flex/torque the springs when standing still (engine on & turning steering wheel from side to side), causing part of the excess play. You could see the truck rock from side to side.

 

[MisterB]

It's hard to say. Have someone rock the wheel and watch to see if you have a lot of deflection in the rag joint. Mine was very visible, but everything was new on my truck. It still could be excess play in your steering box. I never had that issue. My box just leaked profusely, thus the reason for replacement.

My '79 K15 would flex/torque the springs when standing still (engine on & turning steering wheel from side to side), causing part of the excess play. You could see the truck rock from side to side.

With the truck off, if I grab the steering shaft by the rag joint, I can rotate it left and right. I can look up through my windshield and see the steering wheel move. Is there some sort of rubber that gives where it connects to the power steering box?

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[Craig 85]

Here's a good video on it. Mine was not quite that bad for a truck with 140K on it.

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[MisterB]

Here's a good video on it. Mine was not quite that bad for a truck with 140K on it.

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Thanks for everything. I went ahead and ordered the one off Amazon. Summit was going to take forever to get it here, and I'd have to find something else to add to the cart.

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[charlesg]

So if not doing the jeep parts swap, rag joint??