Power steering rag joint pin size question (same as on v8buick)

[kcombs]

I just got my steering box and pump back from powersteering.com and they look great. I got all the pieces for the complete swap including hoses, clamps and he even threw in a return line fitting. But of course with new parts come new questions.

The steering box I had rebuilt came out of a 67 El Camino, but my steering column is 65 GS. The rag joint Chip supplied has pins that are 3/8, but my old manual steering rag joint pins look to be 5/8. Of course, that means my steering column flange has slots for 5/8 pins. I can't find a listing for a rag joint with 5/8 pins on any supplier sites. I will of course email Chip, but I thought someone here might know the answer to my problem, such as, do I need a different rag joint or where can I find a removeable flange to fit my 65 column with smaller slots?

Second question is easy; anyone have a 65 Skylark GS with factory power steering? I so could you look to see at what angle the return line fitting comes out of the gearbox?

Thanks in advance and have a great Easter weekend.

Kurt

[sjfd04]

I have factory PS on my 65 GS and the return line is almost vertical as it comes out of the pump. It has a slight angle to the rear of the car.

Tom

[kcombs]

Thanks Tom, that information will help me with my installation this week.

Kurt

[WkillGS]

Wow, your coupler  threads on V8 (and here) just disappeared?
Anyway, Ragtops mentioned products from 'Help' .... that's Dorman Products. Try a Google search for Dorman products, then look up steering couplers. Maybe they have the parts you need...
The mid-late 70's GM truck couples are often recommended. Dunno how they compare to ours.
Let us know how you make out!

[kcombs]

Hi Walt,

Thought maybe I should wait and call Chip before I posted the question..... So I deleted both listings. I will call Chip tomorrow morning and see if there is an easy fix. Problem is I sent him a 67 Chevelle power steering box because I thought they were the same, but I have a feeling the shaft is different...... My bad. My biggest concern is I had hopes of having the front end rebuilt by Friday night and this is just the type of problem that will stop me. Or, the disc brake conversion from So Cal might not get here, or numerous other problems could arise. So I will just have to take the week as it comes, but I have the whole week reserved for this project.

[Brian]

Call Lares Inc in MN--they have the rag joints and can tell you exactly which one you need.  The manual steering gear boxes have a smaller input shaft, and therefore a different rag joint.  So no matter which power steering gear you used, the old manual steering rag joint would not fit.
  When you refer to the "pin", which part are you referring to?

[WkillGS]

Steering box input shaft is either 3/4" or 13/16"
Early manual boxes are 3/4", and so are the later (approx 1980's-up) power steering boxes.
Early power boxes use the larger 13/16"
Splines are different between the two sizes, so don't try to make a small one fit the larger shaft & vice-versa.
Pin sizes on mine are 5/16" and 9/16"

Brian, I looked up Lares, Corp. There do have a lot! Couplers on eBay too. $35 each.
http://www.larescorp.com/

[kcombs]

Brian, I was referring to the two stop pins that stick out of the rag joint and are centered in the steering column flange holes.

Walt, Thanks for all the information. I will definitely check out Lares Corp's site!

Who would have thought there were so many combinations to a simple rag joint.

Thanks for the posts, I will let you know how it goes with the conversion later this week.

[Brian]

One thing to watch out for on the replacement rag joints:  I replaced the one on James Scarboro's car when I put a new steering box in it from Lares (coupler came from them too).  It was manual and the coupler looked identical to the original, but didn't have the ground strap connector in it, so I had to make up one and solder it into the coupler.  That is critical for getting the horn to work properly, otherwise the ground to the horn button is through the bearings in the steering column.   

[kcombs]

Ragtop was right, there is an easy fix. To make the newer style rag joint work on the old style steering column flange you just drive out the larger bolt on the new joint and replace it with the small one from the old joint. This does not create a problem because the bolts have shoulders that align them in the joint and the shoulders are the same size. The stop pins don't seem to make any difference as they are for failure of the joint, or my guess is, when the wheel is turned all the way to lock they protect the "rag" part of the joint from being stressed. There is a factory ground wire on the original rag joint and I might put that on the new one just to make certain the horn works correctly.