Steering couplers (rag joints) - what are the differences?

[Mugwump]

Hey gang - long time no post...

I've got Tug torn down in the driveway, and I'm ready to get the steering back together. I've got a Saginaw gear from a '77 (I think), and a tilt column from a '79 (fairly sure) going into a '69 F250.

It got me wondering, as I was poring over the catalogs looking for the appropriate rag joint to put it all together... has anyone ever done a comparison matrix of the different years/models of steering gearboxes and columns, to determine which couplers will work with what?

What are the differences between rag joints for the different years? Different shaft diameters/spline counts, or what?

They're kinda spendy, so I'd really like to not 'screw the pooch' and order one that won't fit...

I'm sure I'm not the first one here to wonder this - but I haven't found this info on here yet. It's probably here buried in the dozens of pages of posts I found with a search, but it might be a good thing to put up as a sticky.

[fordman]

i thought they were all the same except for from the factory. i think it was 1970 that they started putting a ground strap across the rag joint ot ground the column so the horn woul dwork. as far as size i thought they were all the same. do you have a comparison on places and part numebrs i could look at?

[QC]

I know that the '67-'68 one has one big pin and one small pin, and the '69 up one has 2 big pins.

RAG JOINT.JPG

[fordman]

edit

[ratfink]

I just went to Autozone, to the "help" section, and picked one up for 10 dollars and change.
It went together easy, and is working well.
Ratfink

[fordman]

that rubber replacement deal i got from autozone ripped on me wheni got to rough installing the new steering box. i will never buy one of those again.

[cdherman]

You can get a decent rag joint, the whole thing, not just the rebuild kit, for under $30 from advanceauto. The pin sizes can be adapted, and the grounding piece is not necessary so long as one of the tapered bushings on the top or bottom of the steering column is metal.

In 65 Ford used the ground strap in the rag joint so that the horn would work. Later they realized that it was a lot easier to just ground the shaft via one of the bearings. Thus the metal taper. The 65 had plastic taperer compression bushings on each end. Later designs put a metal one in, and the horn works.

There are very common, standard rag joints that work for a ton of vehicles. The only thing lacking is the ground strap.

[390bump]

LMC catalog has 3 part numbers for coupler:
45-0260 = 65-66
45-0261 = 66-68
45-0265 = 69-70

if i am using a 67 steering box in a 69 truck which do I get (0261 or 0265) ?

[fordman]

get the 0265. it should have the ground strap and the studs should be equal size and should fit all columns. the box splines are all the same for 2wd.

[fordman]

for what engine? i dont think ive seen a cast iron pulley with 4 grooves before.

[390bump]

I'll take a photo... kit was supposed to bolt on:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0459200045

[390bump]

pulley



doesn't the high pressure hose look whack? Shouldn't have that bend...

what lenght should the 3 bolts be holding the pump? these are 1" long and bottom out... also, there was no bolt/washer for the pump pulley... shouldn't there be one? what length?

[fordman]

i think i would call him on it and get a refund because he didnt ship what was inthe picture and it isnt abotl on deal. that is also way too much for that kind of set up.

[fordman]

isnt that what he told the last guy who was on here complaining about him?

[390bump]

I don't know what others have to say about Dan... want things to work out but he has 3 strikes so far. Maybe his next at bat will be better. Hope to set up works when I get all the parts together!