Need help with the infamous tilt column rag joint please...

[vikingsandpintos]

Here are a couple of pics of the 2 lower shafts, 1 tilt and 1 non tilt. They seem to slide into each others column, so I don't see any issues with using a non tilt lower shaft in a tilt column, to eliminate the rag joint issue. I have,'t bolted it into the car yet, but will soon to verify if there are any issues I haven't noticed

 

[Stanglover]

Made this a little while back, going to install it over the winter and see how it feels in the spring. Siz layers of 16ga steel to duplicate the rag joint thickness.

View attachment 82797

View attachment 82798

Well you won't have any rotational slop, but what about any binding from body twist. Could that be an issue?? There won't be any shock absorbing between the steering joints and the s/wheel either. But then I suppose universal joints don't either.

 

[Stanglover]

Here are a couple of pics of the 2 lower shafts, 1 tilt and 1 non tilt. They seem to slide into each others column, so I don't see any issues with using a non tilt lower shaft in a tilt column, to eliminate the rag joint issue. I have,'t bolted it into the car yet, but will soon to verify if there are any issues I haven't noticed

Interesting. Why not indeed.
Only the Ford engineer would know for sure........... and he's probably long gone.

 

[tony-muscle]

Well you won't have any rotational slop, but what about any binding from body twist. Could that be an issue?? There won't be any shock absorbing between the steering joints and the s/wheel either. But then I suppose universal joints don't either.

This is why I think it won't matter in a tilt column. The steering shaft u-joint allows the lower shaft to move, which should take care of any movement between the gear and steering.


My idea involves using an Aluminum disk sandwiched with the Polyurethane rag joint so there is a bit of flex in the Z axis but no flex in the rotational axis.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N38Q2PP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailshttps://www.cjponyparts.com/steering-box-coupler-polyurethane-mustang-1968-1973/p/CSC311/

 

[Stanglover]

This is why I think it won't matter in a tilt column. The steering shaft u-joint allows the lower shaft to move, which should take care of any movement between the gear and steering.
View attachment 82860

My idea involves using an Aluminum disk sandwiched with the Polyurethane rag joint so there is a bit of flex in the Z axis but no flex in the rotational axis.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N38Q2PP?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_detailshttps://www.cjponyparts.com/steering-box-coupler-polyurethane-mustang-1968-1973/p/CSC311/

Definitely worth a try. No-one said the original design was perfect.

 

[kcmash]

Replacing the lower shaft and the rag joint with a non-tilt lower will work with no issues. I have confirmed that with a tilt column expert.

 

[tony-muscle]

I finally completed my aluminum/rubber rag joint idea. More details in my build thread:
https://7173mustangs.com/threads/mu...hread-1971-m-mach-1.19381/page-20#post-444812

 

[kcmash]

Tony,

I was at that point too. Then I realized I could not get a wrench on the 12 point bolt head to tighten it against the splines on the steering box or the steering column.

kcmash

 

[tony-muscle]

Tony,

I was at that point too. Then I realized I could not get a wrench on the 12 point bolt head to tighten it against the splines on the steering box or the steering column.

kcmash

I tested and i was able to get to the 12-point bolt. If i have issues i will het the grinder out