I have to replace this on my 69 and called Camaro Concepts in Houston about one. They have the new coupler, but the guy told me that if it is just the rag joint, I could pick one up anywhere. I found a "universal" one at the local O'Reilys and bought it. Unfortunately, the holes in the disk do not line up with the pins on the coupler (the part attached to the power steering pump.) The one I got is 2 5/8" diameter. Is that correct? And it only came with two pins, threaded on one end. I can't figure this thing out. The pins that are holding the remnants of the old rag joint in there do not look like they are coming out either. What is the deal?

Later,
Zappa1

They do fit many applications. You need a kit like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Camaro-Fi...sspagenameZWDVW

If you get a repair kit, you'll still likely find that the inside splines that clamp to the steering shaft are toast. The repair kits can't fix that.

I have seen many joints that just need the kit. If the spline hasn't ever loosened on the shaft, which is now it should be under normal wear conditions, then the spline is perfect and you just need the rag. If you have a joint that actually came loose enough to wear the spline then you have some other serious issues that also need to be addressed.

I've done two now that had perfect splines on the steering gearbox but stripped out completely in the coupler. You'd think the steering shaft would have worn too but not the case.

If by the spline, you are talking about the actual shaft that goes into the power steering pump, that is fine. I had to pull the steering column and the power steering pump when I was tearing the car down. (I now have the straight subframe on, with discs in the front and Hotchkiss springs. It is actually back on the ground now on tires!!!) So, I have to put the steering back in so that I can steer this thing when it is time to tow the car. The coupler itself is okay, but the rag joint was torn and tattered when I pulled the column. Even if I got a different kit, how do those pins come out so that a new one can be put in? Mine actually look pressed in and almost look welded from the underside. Kind of like the original ball joint I had to drill and chisel out of the upper control arm. NOT FUN!!!

Later,
Zappa1

I got it now. The splines inside the coupler are perfect. Looks brand new except for the fact that it looks about 40 years old.

Jim, that looks exactly like the one I have, except that the two black pins aren't with mine, but it comes with 4 collar or guard pieces. The other problem is that the actual disc seems to be too small. How big should it be?

Later,
Zappa1

QUOTE:
The splines inside the coupler are perfect. Looks brand new except for the fact that it looks about 40 years old.

That's the way they are designed to work. If nobody cobbled the steering then only the rag is supposed to wear. Obviously, you wouldn't want your steering coming loose!



Sounds like you got the wrong rag.... I would have to measure... It should be the diameter of the collar. Do the holes even line up?

No, the holes do up at all. So, like you, I am thinking that the universal one ain't so universal after all. But here is my other problem. Once I do get the correct rag joint, how do you get all of the old one out and get a new one in? The pins in the current one do not look like they are coming out. Are they suppossed to? This is the original coupler. Like the original ball joint, this thing looks like it is riveted in or pushed in and then flared to keep it in. What do I do?

Later,
Zappa1

The pins are pressed in the casting. You tap them out. If it becomes too much of a problem then buy a whole one;
LINK; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1959-76-N...132973754QQrdZ1