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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Rob3865 on June 29, 2016, 11:58:24 AM

Title: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Rob3865 on June 29, 2016, 11:58:24 AM
Anyone know where I can find a manual steering rag joint for a 76 Bobcat? Thanks.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Rob3865 on July 01, 2016, 01:26:06 AM
Nevermind. As usual, I found an alternative solution myself.

Thank you. Drive through.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Reeves1 on July 01, 2016, 05:51:29 AM
Ummmm let us know what you found ?


Maybe this ?

http://www.jegs.com/p/Dorman-Products/Dorman-Steering-Couplers-Rag-Joints/1646014/10002/-1
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Rob3865 on July 01, 2016, 12:18:15 PM
Nope. Dorman nor anyone else makes one for the manual steering Pinto. The input shaft on the rack is smaller on the manual rack than the power unit.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: one2.34me on July 01, 2016, 12:46:00 PM
I've searched everything I could think of, and couldn't find a Pinto rag joint. I've been thinking of going this route for a long time...

https://www.amazon.com/Unisteer-8050230-16-26-U-Joint/dp/B003ENJ8IU/190-8004041-5632126?ie=UTF8&creative=395097&creativeASIN=B003ENJ8IU&linkCode=df0&ref_=asc_df_B003ENJ8IU3170883&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-46-86-20

I just have a nagging fear that the U-joint would be prone to fail. There are several threads on this site dealing with the swap, and the opinions run both ways on the U-joint failure issue. I'd really appreciate any owner with experience in this areas opinion. It seems like the U-joint solution would give the Pinto an excellent steering feel and response.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Rob3865 on July 01, 2016, 06:33:18 PM
Why would a U joint fail? What's at the top of the steering shaft where it couples to the bottom of the steering column? A U joint.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: D.R.Ball on July 02, 2016, 04:45:42 PM
Folk's you do know that you reuse the steering joints after you remove the rivets on the old part correct ?Read the instructions and do not the ad get you confused ! You are not buying the complete joint just the hardware and the "rag" you have to re use the joints on the steering coupler. Or you can order the complete set up from Flaming River that dose not have the plastic or the fabric rag joint it's a multiple u joint set up .
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: russosborne on July 02, 2016, 06:55:15 PM
That's true, if you have the correct rag joint to begin with.
Problem is that they are swapping from power to manual, and the rag joints aren't the same power to manual. Thank you so much Ford.  >:(

I may at some point be selling my manual rag joint, depends on what engine I end up using. If I am able to do the Cleveland like I want, then I will have to use a u-joint. But since I don't know I am going to hang on to it for now. Probably.  :-\

Russ
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Rob3865 on July 02, 2016, 10:09:57 PM
Folk's you do know that you reuse the steering joints after you remove the rivets on the old part correct ?Read the instructions and do not the ad get you confused ! You are not buying the complete joint just the hardware and the "rag" you have to re use the joints on the steering coupler. Or you can order the complete set up from Flaming River that dose not have the plastic or the fabric rag joint it's a multiple u joint set up .

Thanks for your infinite wisdom, but I am afraid it does not apply here. I know EXACTLY which part I need. While I call it the rag joint, the only part I need is the metal pinch clamp that bolts TO the rag joint. Since you seem to think it's so easy to find, post up your source. It's a 26 spline, 9/16" shaft size. They are nowhere to be found.

I am simply going to cut the shaft just above the rag joint, dress forging marks so the shaft comes into 3/4" spec and install a high quality stainless u joint. I'll post up when I am done.
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on July 03, 2016, 08:02:04 AM
Nothing wrong with u-joints, they're used in the most rugged environments, the "quality" of the part is the critical factor, personally these are the only ones I would use, just sayin...

http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=2 (http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php?cat=2) 
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: Reeves1 on July 03, 2016, 09:08:31 AM
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005/s0003/FR2631
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on July 03, 2016, 09:44:49 AM
Those are cast iron, know who makes them???..
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: pinto_one on July 03, 2016, 03:44:45 PM
Changed a few over the years , I just brought just the rag itself , drilled out the rivets and used aircraft locking nuts and bolts , and also they did make two different power racks for the pinto and mustang II, and the way they hook up to the steering wheel output shaft Is different, they go bad becaus oil has leaked on them plus the heat over time drys them out, I have seen a few people try to change them in the car , quick way was to remove the one bolt on the rack shaft then remove the cover under the dash to get to the four nuts , remove those drop and unplug the switch and pull the whole thing out , bring to kitchen or living room set steering wheel on floor and work on it in comfort,  make sure wife is not home at this time 😈

Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on July 03, 2016, 06:54:54 PM
bring to kitchen or living room set steering wheel on floor and work on it in comfort, make sure wife is not home at this time 😈
LMAO.. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: D.R.Ball on July 03, 2016, 08:30:23 PM
Did I say check with Flaming River if your not using a stock set up ? Sure I did !
Title: Re: Manual steering rag joint
Post by: D.R.Ball on July 03, 2016, 08:41:32 PM
Try speedway all they use is a u-joint.