Rag joint questions

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Steven Petersen

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I have an 88 light duty K2500 with just over 50,000 original miles. Previous owner had cranked the hell out of the torsion bars. I set them back to factory Z-height spec. I also changed tire size from the 225/75/R16 it came with to 265/75/R16. I’ve been planning on having the front end aligned since the torsion bars have been moved. It drives perfectly down the road, but there’s a bit of slop in the wheel. I suspect the rag joint coupler since tie rods, idler arm and pitman arm are all tight.

How do I confirm a bad rag joint? Looks like I need to get the plastic sleeve off to see it. Does anybody have experience with replacing the rag joint with a GM OEM rag joint? If so, do you have a part number? I can’t find one anywhere. Even my GM parts catalog only shows the entire lower shaft, not the joint individually.
 

kennythewelder

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Here is a video on what to look for. Yea, its on a Camaro, but that doesnt matter. They are all made the same way. Ebay has them, amazon has them, and so does your local auto parts store. Even a yahoo search for gm rag joint pulls them up.
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gric_az

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I highly suggest getting a steering shaft from a jeep Cherokee. It's a popular swap for these trucks, and it fits perfectly. Gets rid of the rag joint, I've done it to my truck.
 

Steven Petersen

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Here is a video on what to look for. Yea, its on a Camaro, but that doesnt matter. They are all made the same way. Ebay has them, amazon has them, and so does your local auto parts store. Even a yahoo search for gm rag joint pulls them up.
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Thanks for the video. Looks really easy to check. As for a replacement, I’m wanting a GM/OEM. I can only find aftermarket.
 

kennythewelder

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Thanks for the video. Looks really easy to check. As for a replacement, I’m wanting a GM/OEM. I can only find aftermarket.
IDK if your going to find GM OEM. I replaced mine in my C 1500 ECSB several years ago with one I got at Autozone. Its been good ever since, but mine was just the rubber coupler with the metal ends, not the complete unit as in what I posted. Its easy to remove from the steering box, and then removing the shaft from the steering rod. Then I did the replacement on my bench using my vice. IDK who much difference there is in a 1500 to a 2500. Here is a pic of mine shortly after I installed it. You can see that I had to cut the 2 bolts at an angle to allow clearance on the ones that bolt to the steering box coupler.
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What I used was like this. As for the bolts, I didnt use what was in the kit. I used some grade 8 bolts, and like I said, I had to cut them at an angle to allow the center shaft to have clearance.
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Steven Petersen

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What I used was like this. As for the bolts, I didnt use what was in the kit. I used some grade 8 bolts, and like I said, I had to cut them at an angle to allow the center shaft to have clearance.
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I figured out how to move the plastic sleeve back and take a look. There is absolutely zero slop in my joint. It must be either the steering gear or somewhere in the linkage. I’ll have to wait until I have a helper here to work the wheel while I’m looking underneath. Thanks for the helpful information.
 

Erik the Awful

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Check the top joint, my rag joint was weak, but on closer inspection the top joint was broken and flopping around. I replaced it with a Jeep joint before I got the truck running.

The previous owner's level of deferred maintenance belied a life either oblivious to, or uncaring towards his limited margin of safety and self-preservation.
 
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