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Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » August 19, 2008, 6:56 pm

Man, you're lucky it chose right then to come apart...this story could have been MUCH worse.

You'll need to slide your column up a little, to get enough room to get the rest of the rag joint off the gearbox. The last time I changed one, I...

*Unplugged the turn signal harness
*Loosened the clamp at the column base (in the engine bay)
*Removed the five bolts holding the firewall bracket that the clamp clamps to
*Unbolt the two bolts holding the column to the bottom of the dash
*Pull the column into the cab a little & lay the wheel on the seat
*Remove the bolt from the rag joint & pry upward, off the shaft

Then you can use your idea of the cutting disc & circular saw.

Hopefully you clamp it down good first.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 19, 2008, 11:45 pm

A new steering coupler or "rag joint" from Advance or Autozone in less than $30. Why bother with a $12 repair kit when you can have a whole new unit for only$18 more.

Beware, you have to search for the correct unit looking at a 69- 74 era truck......

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » August 20, 2008, 7:41 am

CDHerman is right, the complete kit is the easy way to go. First time I replaced one, I bought 2 different types and returned the one that didn't fit. They were in the "help" section at Advance Auto.

If you wanted to low buck it, you could always hit your favorite salvage yard, sometimes someone will replace these just before scrapping the truck.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » August 20, 2008, 10:56 am

True, I found one in great shape at the boneyard a few years ago for my Son's truck.

I didn't know they were making new complete rag joints! Not that I've really been looking hard, but all I've seen is the "one size fits most" sorta universal style.

DocDave · Post by **DocDave** » August 20, 2008, 12:39 pm

Doc Pepper wrote:
Maybe I will just try my second idea which consists of 2 vise grips and a garden hose.

I really hope you forgot to put the smiley face at the end of that statement! If not I'm staying on this side of the border till I read that your not driving anymore

Then again I may have tried something like that when I was 16.

Shame you missed SS08.

Dave

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » August 20, 2008, 5:17 pm

$32 at Advance Auto. I think other places have similar prices. There are much more expensive units out there, I think those would have the integrated ground contact that the 65-66 has.

But the later ones work fine.

Search there for "lares 202" and then view all products. You'll see it. Its not listed under 65, but you can find it under 73 F100.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » August 21, 2008, 2:34 pm

Well I'll be...would ya look at that.

$65 bucks is a little more than I paid for my Ford one back in the early 90's, but at least it looks like it's definitely a useable part for Slicks.
BTW, I looked this one up for a '76 F250, since I know they're basically the same thing, just minus the ground strap.

--->LINKY<---
Dorman part # 31004

Macon ACE · Post by **Macon ACE** » August 21, 2008, 3:06 pm

Doc Pepper wrote:That seems like a lot of work Slick. If I try it your way I will have to wait until the weekend. I didn't know you could buy a complete unit. But since I already spent the 8 dollars...
I don't know. It's 100* outside and 90% humidity.

Maybe I will just try my second idea which consists of 2 vise grips and a garden hose.

Now you're talking! Re-engineer that sucker!