Is this the accused?

[pmb]

A couple of weeks ago I noticed my horn stopped working when I turned the wheels. Upon investigation I found the clearance between the steering wheel and steering column increased not allowing the horn pins to touch the ring. It was caused by the rag joint wrinkling up as I turned the wheel. I thought I should replace it some time. I tried to buy a rebuild kit only to find my regular parts bloke was out of stock, motor traders had no idea what I was taking about. Yesterday I drove it to work and on the way it developed steering play. When I got to work I found the rag joint had slop in it. I nursed the car home and removed the rag joint disassembled it to find all of the holes in the rubber bit torn out.

[non member]

Talk to Stanglover, he knows all about that issue.

It is something that is hard to see, also gets brake fluid on it if the master is leaking. Should be made of reinforced rubber. Falcons had them, so I would assume still easy to buy.

[pmb]

I got one from capital classics

[non member]

:(

[MustangNut]

There are some polyurethane ones around that have no fibre reinforcement. I would advise anyone not to use this type as when they fail they break completely and instantly no steering.

[mikes68]

Was looking at where I was going to get one from a couple of days ago and found this at Mustangs Unlimited:

http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/keyword.asp?Keywords=rag+joint&x=19&y=16

[mikes68]

Originally posted by pmb
I got one from capital classics

Did you just get the joint itself or a half / full coupling???

[Shermatt]

had that happen to me in my first 67 verts here in the states.

Come hooken off a freeway (US19) ....into a turn off that had an entry for a car show and the rag snapped just as I turned into the show.....allmost took out a 2007 Shelby race car that was the front display

:_:_:_

[stangLover]

:-..........I thank my lucky stars everyday that it happened when taking off trying to hook the wheel to exit from parking behind another car...and that's when it went SNAP!.....had no idea what was going on, but the steering felt so so easy all of a sudden, the problem was it was too free.....free all the way actually, without the wheels turning ::

Almost $400 later it was fixed (towing home, then to a repairer, part and labour), and learnt a sh1t load about what a rag joint is :(

[Frank70]

Hmmm - I better check mine as I had a similar problem with my horn the other day.

Thanks !

Frank.

[Roegs]

I just looked at mine as my horn only works when it wants to.  It'll work, turn the wheel and it won't work anymore.  But when you go back to a straight line, it still doesn't work most times. ;w

My rag joint seems to look ok, looks more rubber than anything, so it could be a poly one that MustangNut mentioned.

I'll have to do a closer inspection on the weekend.  The whole 'no steering' thing has got me a little concerned now . . .

[GT350H]

Thanks for the heads up pmb.
;_:(:+

[67er]

[jusTANG]

have we got a picture of a shot one for reference, anyone?

(mine doesn't have one but what thought what makes it time to replace for others)

[ponyride]

Which year/model cars are we talking about?

[jiffy]

All of the early ones - 70 backwards at least, possibly newer ones too....

[ponyride]

Thanks Jiffy, that's me then.

[moe]

pre 67's didn't have them from the factory.
67's only got the rag joint factory fitted if they have tilt steering column.
68's onwards have the rag joint fitted.

Any modified car (RHD conversions, collapsible column conversions) likely to have a rag joint fitted.

[non member]

Originally posted by 67er

Yes it is.

Actually about half way through the 67 model year they changed to that type of column & rag joint.

[A67PNY]

Gotta love this forum.
Going to check mine now.
Thankyou.........

[pmb]

The bit I missed out is in my hunt to find one I have been warned a number of times not to use the nolathane unit as they break without warning.
The kit I bought was a Scott Drake rebuild kit thats is you get the rubber disc, bolts and pin's.
check this out http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/suspension-articles/479280-steering-coupler-rag-joint-replacement.html
and
http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_0903_replace_mustang_steering_gear_with_flaming_river/photo_17.html

[Frank70]

I believe the guy who sells the borgeson steering boxes here in Melbourne has them :

http://www.allvet.com.au/index.html

I will check tomorrow if he has them in stock and for how much. I might gte one for the Galaxie as the Muzzy one looks OK.

Cheers,
Frank.

[pmb]

$35 from capital classics
I have to recommend Capitals this is the second time I have purchased from them and have found them friendly, helpful, cheap and post your item immediately

[chris67]

had mine let go as i was pulling out of a parking spot the afternoon of the day i got rego
easy fix just brought a xf rag joint as my car is a RHD with xf steering box

[Frank70]

That Allvet place quoted me about $160 for the joint .

Seems a little exe to me.

Cheers,
Frank.