Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Message

C J Murray · #1 Post by **C J Murray** » Sun May 20, 2018 7:03 pm

I am giving the newly acquired '59 race car an inspection before going to Mid-Ohio next month. Generally the car is in very good condition but I did find a few issues. The dangerous one is pictured below, a very old dried out and cracked steering coupler or "rag joint". From tine to time everybody that has a 356 or any other car fitted with one needs to look at the condition of theirs. They are out of sight and out of mind but when you adjust the steering box or set the alignment they need to be looked at. If you see the slightest cracking in the rubber it needs to be replaced. When you do remove it the cracks will open up to be quite pronounced. If the rubber is excessively hard it should be replaced. Basically nobody really thinks about these and unless you inspect them closely you won't know they are failing. Maybe you should remove your steering box cover and take a hard look.

Mike Wilson · #2 Post by **Mike Wilson** » Sun May 20, 2018 7:42 pm

Great reminder, Cliff. Oft overlooked!

Mike

Geoff Fleming · #3 Post by **Geoff Fleming** » Sun May 20, 2018 8:13 pm

Excellent advice! The real culprits, though, are the C series rubber connectors. They seem to break quite suddenly...not much fun when you are driving. Someone I knew once had one let go while driving a project car a short distance from home, fortunately at low speed.

Ron LaDow · #4 Post by **Ron LaDow** » Sun May 20, 2018 11:41 pm

Cliff,
Thank you: BINGO! Cartoon light-bulb flashing!
Got the bolt circle and axial dims? By the Lit Meet next year, you will have the last steering connector you will ever need. And it will bolt in, with no modifications anywhere.
Do the early ones need the ground connection also? I'd like to work that into the design if required.
Geoff,
Got those covered also.

Craig Richter · #5 Post by **Craig Richter** » Mon May 21, 2018 12:48 am

If you look back in this forum, you'll find a lot of input about this coupler. Hard to beat the $20 VW piece, as long as it is replaced every few decades. Some "trick" dune buggy parts are dangerous! Good luck Ron, this part could use your attention.

Thomas Sottile · #6 Post by **Thomas Sottile** » Mon May 21, 2018 4:32 pm

I remember, you can use a tr3-4 part. if you have a C

Bob Kittel · #7 Post by **Bob Kittel** » Mon May 21, 2018 7:41 pm

what is the preferred replacement for a C car? Just looked at the Triumph part. Looks the same from 3-6 but does it fit.

Geoff Fleming · #8 Post by **Geoff Fleming** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:08 pm

Ron,
Great! I'll buy the first one!
I believe the C series cars used the same unit as found in FIAT cars of the era, or very similar.

David Jones · #9 Post by **David Jones** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:10 pm

I have a Volvo coupling on my "C". I had to oval out the mounting ears about 3mm to make it fit but that did not degrade the integrity of the part in my opinion as it is not in the plane of motion.
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/5925/10 ... 800-models

Mark Roth · #10 Post by **Mark Roth** » Mon May 21, 2018 8:19 pm

Zims has one for the C for $60.00
http://www.allzim.com/store/steering-co ... 56c-1.html

Ron LaDow · #11 Post by **Ron LaDow** » Mon May 21, 2018 9:27 pm

Geoff Fleming wrote:Ron,
Great! I'll buy the first one!

It's a ways off, Geoff; just putting mouse-to-keyboard to get the design out of my head and in a form where I can get quotes.
It will be 'never-replace', and also fail-safe for those who still worry.

Sean M Rooks · #12 Post by **Sean M Rooks** » Mon May 21, 2018 9:28 pm

Bob Kittel wrote:what is the preferred replacement for a C car? Just looked at the Triumph part. Looks the same from 3-6 but does it fit.

Here's the info from my order from Moss Motors:

67-385 FLEX COUPLING, STE No 1 $15.79 $15.79

First number is the part #. I successfully installed this Triumph coupler in my C coupe. Note though that the stock bolts won't fit (assuming mine was stock to begin with?). The holes in the Triumph part are too small for the bolts to sit recessed like on the original piece.

I replaced the stock bolts with new ones and with a little compression it fits nicely.

Bob Kittel · #13 Post by **Bob Kittel** » Mon May 21, 2018 10:17 pm

Sean M Rooks wrote:
Bob Kittel wrote:what is the preferred replacement for a C car? Just looked at the Triumph part. Looks the same from 3-6 but does it fit.
Here's the info from my order from Moss Motors:

67-385 FLEX COUPLING, STE No 1 $15.79 $15.79

First number is the part #. I successfully installed this Triumph coupler in my C coupe. Note though that the stock bolts won't fit (assuming mine was stock to begin with?). The holes in the Triumph part are too small for the bolts to sit recessed like on the original piece.

I replaced the stock bolts with new ones and with a little compression it fits nicely.

or you could have the bolt head OD ground to fit the recess?

Phil Planck · #14 Post by **Phil Planck** » Mon May 21, 2018 10:23 pm

Ron
My 55 coupe had a ground strap.

Sean M Rooks · #15 Post by **Sean M Rooks** » Mon May 21, 2018 10:29 pm

Bob Kittel wrote:
or you could have the bolt head OD ground to fit the recess?

I'm sure you could, but I'm an artist not an engineer and opted not to modify the integrity of any components.

The Official 356Talk Forum

Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?

Re: Have you checked your rag joint lately?