Steering rubber part worn out?

[Florian]

Hi!

Noticed this rubber thing on the steering yesterday, does look odd I think:





I didn´t notice any problems when I drove it home, but do I have to replace this part?

[fordman]

i would it is getting old and worn looking.

[basketcase0302]

Florian,

It's called the rag joint, and from the looks of it your steering would be kind of sloppy.
It's not that hard or not too expensive, I'd replace it.
These guys should have it:
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fb/t.aspx

[Florian]

Thanks for your replies!

I didn´t notice any problems with the steering when I drove it home other than that the steering wheel is not mounted in the middle position.

[wildcard]

Just changed mine 2 weeks ago. If you need any advice, I'll be glad to help.

[fordman]

in the first picture do you see how it looks liek it is spread apart a little? that means that it is giving a slight when the wheel is turned. yours will probably be ok for awhile. but it will need one sooner or later.

[wildcard]

Mine was in a lot worse shape but it still worked. But it didn't take the slop out of my steering wheel. I adjusted that out with the adjustment on the box. Took about 1 minute.

[Florian]

Do I have to replace the whole rag-joint thing or will replacing the flexible joint disc also work?

My steering wheel isn´t in the right middle position, as I already said. Is this worn out flex disc responsible for this or is the steering wheel just mounted wrong and needs to be remounted? Or is the steering wheel positioned wrong because the steering box could be set wrong?

[fordman]

the steering wheel doesnt sit straight in these trucks because of how the steering box is bolted to the frame. it is that way on all the trucks.

[Florian]

Really? Kinda strange..and you can´t adjust the steering wheel to sit straight on it? Mine is always turned slightly to the left side when driving straight forward..

[quantumleap]

now are you talking about when your driving straight your steering wheel looks like your turning left? if so then try this..now im not to sure about the shaft differences but on my '67 i just remove the steering wheel with a puller and adjust it on the splines of the shaft while your wheels are facing straight.
also if you havent done the job yet...you dont need to purchase the whole rag joint..simply change the rubber disc and the hardware with a replacement kit. should cost like $10

[fordman]

i think i got confuesd about what you were saying. the steerign wheel can be taken off and turned to make it look straight wehnt he wheels are turned straight. but the column will always look as if it sits at angle to the dash that is how the trucks steerign systems were made. does that clear it up? it does for me. but instead of taking the wheel off and turning it. an alignment should be done to the front end before you try that. the alignment may straighten the look of how the wheel sits on the column. it may straighten it out.

[Florian]

but instead of taking the wheel off and turning it. an alignment should be done to the front end before you try that.

I think that somebody mounted the steering wheel incorrectly. It had cable ties to hold the horn pad on..btw how can I mount the horn pad without cable ties?

But how would you correct the alignment on the steering box? Can I check it somehow if it´s wrong?

[fordman]

the horn pad. hooks onto the horn bar under neath of the horn pad. it is kind of chessy because those tabs always seem to break off. and then the plastic hornbar has screws that coem in from ebhind the wheel that hold it to the steering wheel. as far as alignment the steerign box doesnt have an "alignment" is doies hav e away to take slack out of the gears inside the steerign box. an wheel alignment is to adjust the tie rods so that truck tracks down the road straight. it may or could require replacement of work steerign linkage to get and alignment to work. the alignment shop should be able to help with that.

[wildcard]

Just a wild idea here. Couldn't you loosen the clamps on each side of the rag joint and pull the steering wheel back far enough to clear the splined shaft coming out of the steering box ? Then turn the steering wheel around to where you want it and push it back down on the shaft. Tighten clamps and be done. Will probably take 2 people. Just a thought.