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Author Topic: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?  (Read 3013 times)

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Offline t5gt40x

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how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« on: December 10, 2014, 05:51:40 PM »
I see people referring to a certain u-joint with the splined manual II dimension on one end
and apparently a ROUND opening on the other.

Looking at the existing steering column shaft with the ragjoint attachment, can I/ AM I? supposed
to cut that stuff off the shaft and install the u-joint open end on it?
because that shaft aint round, its flat with round ends, makes me thing the "double d" opening
would be correct?
please-
H E L P!!!!

Offline amc49

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2014, 01:40:04 AM »
You don't want it purely round, too easy to come loose to cause a crash from steering loss. Why the D is there. If bolt or setscrew comes loose you feel it in loose steering but do not lose control.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2014, 08:14:39 AM »
9/16-26 X double D u-joint is what you want. On e-bay ever day in Summit and Jegs posting and others. Easy to find.
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Offline Reeves1

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2014, 07:40:30 PM »
Was going to do this to two of my cars.
Bought the U-Joints.
Was then pointed out to me they are known to fail.
Staying with tried & true rag joints.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2014, 09:24:36 AM »
In the last 40+ years of Pinto madness I have never seen a u-joint fail. There used in every form of racing from F1 on down. Sweet is the best but $$$.  Worry about what will happen, not what could happen.  Just my daily 2 cents worth.
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Offline slooldracer

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2014, 09:54:13 AM »
Dick Merry Christmas
e
If you are talking about universal links in steering columns, I broke one going through turn 11 at The Glen in a Formula Ford, about a 1000 years ago, took down all the catch fence hit the armco hard, did not do my Lola any good.
The older I get, the faster I was

Offline dick1172762

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2014, 12:32:11 PM »
If your talking about the kind of u-joints the English used in shift linkage and steering on their race cars, I can understand 100%. Those types of u-joints were used in airplanes in WW2 for remote linkage to turn cranks / trim / vents / etc. The limes love buying them at surplus $$ after the war. They were NEVER intended to be used in steering. The racing u-joints we have now days are strong enough for NASCAR, so I doin't think a Pinto will over tax them. Had them on my race Pintos with no problems at all. Rag joints are plenty good when NEW. A 30-40 year old rag joint is JUNK, and more of a danger than present day u-joints could ever be. Today you got 4 cents worth.
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Offline Pintosopher

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2014, 03:06:54 PM »
If your talking about the kind of u-joints the English used in shift linkage and steering on their race cars, I can understand 100%. Those types of u-joints were used in airplanes in WW2 for remote linkage to turn cranks / trim / vents / etc. The limes love buying them at surplus $$ after the war. They were NEVER intended to be used in steering. The racing u-joints we have now days are strong enough for NASCAR, so I doin't think a Pinto will over tax them. Had them on my race Pintos with no problems at all. Rag joints are plenty good when NEW. A 30-40 year old rag joint is JUNK, and more of a danger than present day u-joints could ever be. Today you got 4 cents worth.

 Dang, My  rag joint must be as old as My 72, But than , I only had Nickels to spend on the Car 20 years ago, not Pesos!  ;D
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Offline Wittsend

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2014, 04:20:45 PM »
"Just my daily 2 cents worth. ... Today you got 4 cents worth."

Ok, no questions for Dick tomorrow. We need to keep him on track.  :)

FWIW I put my Turbo Coupe steering column in my '73 when I did the engine/trans swap.  I had to cobble together pieces of two joints to mate the column to the steering rack.  I can't recall whether the T/C joint didn't fit the Pinto splines or if it was too long or short.  Here are a few pictures. The best I can tell I cut the upper end off the T/C coupler and then ground the other end to fit the Pinto "D" joint.  I believe the piece was too long or short and I had to elongate the center bolt hole. The coupler got kind of thin making it fit with sideways motion of the file (Ford had it thin to begin with). But it is probably no weaker than the rubber in the joint. 6 years now and no problems.


Offline dick1172762

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2014, 06:23:59 PM »
Dang, My  rag joint must be as old as My 72, But than , I only had Nickels to spend on the Car 20 years ago, not Pesos!  ;D
    SEE or is that SAW?  Hosay can you see?
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Offline t5gt40x

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Re: how do you replace the ragjoint with a u-joint?
« Reply #10 on: December 18, 2014, 09:37:27 AM »
9/16-26 X double D u-joint is what you want. On e-bay ever day in Summit and Jegs posting and others. Easy to find.

For the sake of clarity, at least in this thread- the correct DD dimension for a 74 pinto is the full 1"DD size?
I would have assumed the 3/4"DD BUT the steering shaft seems to measure 1" across.
I managed to find a reference in Speedway catalog that seems to point at the 9/16-26 x 1"DD u-joint as the right part.
Im gonna order that in a longer looking joint, assuming I will need the difference to get the DD end situated properly.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR REALLY FAST HELP!
I hope I can return the favor someday. If I ever get these headers in I will be sure to share what I am about to learn.