800A Steering Rag Joint?

[Ari]

’70 Scout 800a, 304/bw11/dana20, 44 f/r, SOA, 36”, ps conversion.

Had Scout for couple weeks now and have been watching the decline condition of this seemingly important joint on the steering shaft which I think is the “steering rag joint assembly,” would this be correct? This is on a Scout that has had a ps conversion done and looking at the; for lack on a better description, “down shaft” side of the joint it appears as though it has been welded to the shaft. The end that which runs to the steering box is splined, I haven’t counted them or determined the dimension as of yet; wanted to get some input prior to pulling everything apart. I haven’t been able to find a direct bolt in replacement for this so I’m guessing it was somewhat modified during the ps conversion. I have seen that Jeff offers a 2/4-30 input shaft and 13/16-36 input shaft steering rag joint assembly for sii’s, is this the joint at question here? If so, looks like there’s a good distance gap between the two ends of the joint and that I would need to figure a way to get a longer shaft. What do you all think?

Pictures are attached.

 

[Michael Mayben]

The actually "fabric" joint element is easily replaced with dorman/help! Stuff hanging on the wall at any parts house.

The u-joint at the gearbox end of your lower steering shaft has already been "spliced" obviously to mate the two components.

If you want to replace the rag joint completely, then most likely the entire steering column is gonna have to be removed and the joint components separated (the actual "flange" portions). Sometimes those are welded to the upper and lower shafts, some times they are a "one-time" press fit over a semi-splined shaft end (not meant to ever come apart for service except by shaft replacement), sometimes a "pinch-bolt" arrangement with a real splined element (yours does not look like that, but I'm doing a Ford column repair right now that is near identical and use the pinch bolt retention).

There are many variations of the "borgeson"-type joints, splined (various diameters), single "d", doube "d", etc. As well as root diameters. So you are gonna have to get some exact dimensions and then figgr out what ya wanna do for the longterm solution.

 

[RobertC]

Looks like the "rag joint" failed because of the excessive angle of the shaft between box and the steering column. And, I am pretty sure it (a rag joint)will fail pretty quickly again...

Looks like the steering box is mounted on top of the frame rail -- is that the stock position?

I think you need to supply a couple pictures of how the steering box is mounted.

Jeff needs to comment on this.... I think...

 

[ihpartsjeff]

Looks like you have a solid shaft between the steering box and ragjoint. This no doubtingly is causing the ragjoint to rip apart as you drive down the road and the body is flexing one way the frame another. What you need is a steering column that is collapsible. Although not yet on our online store ihon does offer a bolt on borgeson conversion kit for 69'-71' Scout 800a & b that still utilizes the ragjoint on top but incorporates the collapsible steering column along with a borgeson steering joint at the steering box side. Cost on the kit is $219.95 and is normally in stock.