Paul113
Active member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2014
- Messages
- 38
- Reaction score
- 20
- Location
- Virginia
- My Car
- 1968 Fastback
1871 Mach 1 M code 4 speed
When I went to find a replacement steering coupler or "rag joint" for my 71 Mach 1
I had no idea how difficult it would be. I read the forums and searched the supply houses. Here's what I found. The Scott Drake replacement was touted as the best replacement out there.
I found it would NOT fit on the shaft of my SPA-T Saginaw box and the pins were too short. The Lares 201 fit nicely but the pins were both the same small size causing slop when connecting to the steering shaft.
The original has one small and one large fixed pin. Since the Lares 201 fit nicely and the only problem with it was the one pin I decided to modify it using a press and a small piece of galvanized pipe that had the OD of the original pin.
After some machining and pressing I now have a perfect replacement that fits great.
I do not undertake these sort of modifications lightly, but am very confident in my results. Unless you are as well, I do not recommend taking this on. Steering is for too important.
I had no idea how difficult it would be. I read the forums and searched the supply houses. Here's what I found. The Scott Drake replacement was touted as the best replacement out there.
I found it would NOT fit on the shaft of my SPA-T Saginaw box and the pins were too short. The Lares 201 fit nicely but the pins were both the same small size causing slop when connecting to the steering shaft.
The original has one small and one large fixed pin. Since the Lares 201 fit nicely and the only problem with it was the one pin I decided to modify it using a press and a small piece of galvanized pipe that had the OD of the original pin.
After some machining and pressing I now have a perfect replacement that fits great.
I do not undertake these sort of modifications lightly, but am very confident in my results. Unless you are as well, I do not recommend taking this on. Steering is for too important.