Rag Joint

shakespearesdad · Post by **shakespearesdad** » February 2, 2008, 1:12 pm

I need a rag joint for my '65 F100. I can't find any of my parts mags and the local dealer is a no-go. Anybody have a part number or a company that can help? I called Dennis Carpenter and they didn't know what I needed, is a rag joint called something else?
Thanks,
James

jimbeamalki · Post by **jimbeamalki** » February 2, 2008, 2:24 pm

I bought one from C&G Early Ford Parts, Inc., Escondido, Ca., ph-760-740-2400, website www.cgfordparts.com . Part# C5TZ-3A525-A. They called it a 65-66 PU Steering Column Coupler. I haven't installed it yet. The rag part on my old one seems to be made up of layers of hard felt stuff, and the new one is of a solid piece of hard white plastic stuff, but the bolts and everything seemed a perfect match for the old one. It was $30.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 2, 2008, 3:20 pm

could not find in DC
dearborn classics calls it steering coupler
polyurethane coupler replaces stock "rag joint" for improved steering feel and longevity $24.95
classic auto parts
65-66 C5TZ-3A525A $54.95 bef ser # 900,001
auto parts stores dont show a lot of our parts online anymore
i have a new one on the shelf i got on ebay for $20 in case i ever need one

i even called my friend who owns the car quest,trying to get a part # but far back as he can go is 76 in his catalog , we had a conversation about how hard its getting to find some of the stuff we need these days.

shakespearesdad · Post by **shakespearesdad** » February 2, 2008, 3:25 pm

Thanks for the very quick replies. I'll get it ordered and hopefully will be back on the road soon.
regards,
James

grabber64 · Post by **grabber64** » February 2, 2008, 4:59 pm

autozone and all the other parts stores have a help area that has the rubber part if you just need to rebuild yours. its just a rubber ring and a couple of bolts.

cwmoss · Post by **cwmoss** » February 2, 2008, 8:48 pm

You may want to try ididit they have the rag joint--www.ididitinc.com

dotcentral · Post by **dotcentral** » February 2, 2008, 8:53 pm

I asked for a rag joint at NAPA and the old gentleman behind the counter didn't know what I was talking about, I had to describe it. But they had them in stock.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » February 3, 2008, 2:33 pm

ICEMAN6166 wrote: dearborn classics calls it steering coupler
polyurethane coupler replaces stock "rag joint" for improved steering feel and longevity $24.95
classic auto parts
65-66 C5TZ-3A525A $54.95 bef ser # 900,001

I've seen them listed as early/late production date too, which I find odd....is here REALLY a difference? If there is, it must not be a very large difference, because they look pretty much the same to me.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » February 3, 2008, 2:38 pm

i do not think there is a major difference, other than possibly pin size , thickness or hardness of rubber and maybe the spline count but i do not remember ever having difficulty installing one and never paid any attention to what it came from.

frank66 · Post by **frank66** » February 3, 2008, 5:02 pm

I bought mine off the HELP! rack at the local parts store.

1966 Ford · Post by **1966 Ford** » February 3, 2008, 7:26 pm

I got mine from the stack of spare parts hanging out around my dads house.

grabber64 · Post by **grabber64** » February 3, 2008, 10:11 pm

the steering couplers or ragjoints are very different on the mounting sides but usually the rubber is the same. i think there are two different sizes on the rubber part from what i see and am concerned with. they all mount the same from the rubber standpoint. steering is on one end and the box on the other to reduce vibration and impact on you.

if you guys do a conversion make sure you get these things with them for they are terribly expensive through ididit and other aftermarket products like 50 up.

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » February 3, 2008, 11:40 pm

AdvanceAuto has the right one -- get the one for a 67, as its the same, or at least was/is for my 65. I am debating about keeping the orignal (which looks OK) versus putting a new one in. It was $30 from advance.

There are rag joint rebuild kits as mentioned by several folks already. They are about $10.

Parts places seem to list a special one for our 65-66. Indeed there seems to be a grounding contact in the orignal 65 that the later 67 unit does not have. But I have bolted it up to a saginaw PS unit (which has the same spline count as the orignal manual box. So I know it works for sure.

If you have trouble finding the parts #, I have the box and reciept from advance. If the price is much over $30, as me if I would like to sell you my spare and use the original. I am not sure why I bought the new one anyhow, given that the orignal looks OK.........

cdherman · Post by **cdherman** » February 4, 2008, 12:00 am

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDeta ... Number=202

$32.82

Click the "See all vehicles this product fits" from the above link and you will learn that the rag joint on 65 and up F100 with twin-I suspension are shared by tons of other applications. No way should we be paying $60 to LMC or DC for this part.

grabber64 · Post by **grabber64** » February 4, 2008, 12:27 am

i agree. just rebuild it. unless you have a show truck then stick the money in it. the only thing that goes wrong is the rubber. if you have a ground wire then put it on the new rubber. it most likely is for your horn. some of those aftermarkets won't have that either. that is a ground for your horn, i believe.