<-- Any1 w/ play in steering in here ( have fix )
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Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 306
From: Fairfax, VA
<-- Any1 w/ play in steering in here ( have fix )
How many of you are sick and tired of the play in your steering wheel? Is it hard to keep your fbody straight without constant adjustments to the steering especially on the highway?
After spending the better part of Saturday looking into this problem with my buddy, I have traced it to the rag joint in the steering shaft.
Basically, this is a circular mesh disk which attaches the two parts of the shaft together using four rivets. When the rag joint is new, it is very solid. However, if you have removed the protective shielding from the steering shaft, and you have aftermarket headers, then most likely then not you have loose steering. This is caused by the rag join being exposed to constant heat from the close-by header and therefore making it more flexible, thus creating play in your steering.
GM doesn't sell just the rag joint as a replacement part, only the entire steering shaft. This part is $111.29 on www.gmpartsdirect.com ( part # 26020775 ). Even if you buy a new shaft ( which obviously comes with a new rag joint ) you will run into the same problem -- probably sooner then you expect!
After searching this site, I have found a permanent solution. It is called a rag joint eliminator ( http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro/ ). It is about $32 which is a hell of a lot cheaper then the steering shaft. This part replaces the stock rag joint with an aluminum one which obviously is waaaaay more solid and doesn't flex... EVER!!
Installation is a little tricky. Taking the steering shaft off it fairly easy, with only two bolts holding it on. Like I already said, the stock rag joint is held in place by four rivets. These rivets can be removed by using a Dremel bit to grind the heads off. Then, use a punch and a hammer to take the rest out. The rag join eliminator comes with four bolts to attach it to your steering shaft.
I am in no way associated with the company which makes this part. I am just very giddy about finally fixing my steering problem that I had for over two d@mn years!!
Anyone else have any success with fixing your steering?
After spending the better part of Saturday looking into this problem with my buddy, I have traced it to the rag joint in the steering shaft.
Basically, this is a circular mesh disk which attaches the two parts of the shaft together using four rivets. When the rag joint is new, it is very solid. However, if you have removed the protective shielding from the steering shaft, and you have aftermarket headers, then most likely then not you have loose steering. This is caused by the rag join being exposed to constant heat from the close-by header and therefore making it more flexible, thus creating play in your steering.
GM doesn't sell just the rag joint as a replacement part, only the entire steering shaft. This part is $111.29 on www.gmpartsdirect.com ( part # 26020775 ). Even if you buy a new shaft ( which obviously comes with a new rag joint ) you will run into the same problem -- probably sooner then you expect!
After searching this site, I have found a permanent solution. It is called a rag joint eliminator ( http://www.unbalancedengineering.com/Camaro/ ). It is about $32 which is a hell of a lot cheaper then the steering shaft. This part replaces the stock rag joint with an aluminum one which obviously is waaaaay more solid and doesn't flex... EVER!!
Installation is a little tricky. Taking the steering shaft off it fairly easy, with only two bolts holding it on. Like I already said, the stock rag joint is held in place by four rivets. These rivets can be removed by using a Dremel bit to grind the heads off. Then, use a punch and a hammer to take the rest out. The rag join eliminator comes with four bolts to attach it to your steering shaft.
I am in no way associated with the company which makes this part. I am just very giddy about finally fixing my steering problem that I had for over two d@mn years!!
Anyone else have any success with fixing your steering?
Registered User
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 537
From: Watertown, Mass
Giddy bastard! My steering is tighter then yours. Anyways I did that fix using a piece a metal found in Home Depot and everyone should do this fix. A car can not be aligned correctly with out it.
I dont have any play with my stock inner and out tie outs. 95k miles on them as well.
Though my wheel bearings had excessive play in them. I could move the wheel up and down quite a bit.
I dont have any play with my stock inner and out tie outs. 95k miles on them as well.
Though my wheel bearings had excessive play in them. I could move the wheel up and down quite a bit.
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