Fixing Loose Steering, Rag Joint Replacement

[@scottwaters4889]

Had this same issue on my 87 S15 years ago. What I did instead (thats a common mod) is replaced the steering shaft with one from a Jeep Cherokee that uses U-Joints instead of a rag joint. Best steering mod ever for that little truck.

[@TreyCook21]

Didn't know that was an option... to the forums!

[@TreyCook21]

@@Spadookie Thanks!

[@benzmansl65amg]

XJ shaft on mine as well

[@razinhailsharp]

I have an '84 Monte Carlo SS and a lot of people are doing the same mod for the same reason on the 4th gen Monte Carlo's. I haven't done it to mine yet, but when it gets to the point where I'm starting to notice sloppy steering, I'll just go ahead and do the swap.

[@scottwaters4889]

@@razinhailsharp its a real solid swap. The only thing you have to do is heat up the Cherokee steering shaft to collapse it so it's short enough to fit in place

[@worshipwhilewewait]

BY FAR the most comprehensive Master Mechanic on the Internet BAR NONE!!! Love the way You show thigs and explain AS YOU GO. LOVE how you get right up on things so I (Joe Weekend try-and-fix-the-Mrs.-car-so-we-can-save-a-bundle) can see EXACTLY what you're talking about. Found your site yrs ago and watch and LEARN even in my 60s and a career of 50+yrs working on trucks/cars. Sloppy old 03 S10 and NOW drives like a champ! THANKS (..and the Mrs. says THANK YOU THAT HE DIDN'T KILL HIMSELF WHILE DOING IT!!)

[@whiteowl13]

Nicest engine bay ever. I wanna see a video of you explaining everything you’ve done under hood!

[@Risingstar0324]

I could not find a new steering shaft with rag joint for my 1988 GMC. And fitment seemed to be an issue for shaft and/or rag joints. I tried used connectors ,but they were dried out and worn too . But thanks to you folks on KZbin, I found the answer. I pulled a steering shaft from a 93 Jeep Cherokee. With clean up and a couple mods, I now have a solid steering shaft in my GMC. WORKS GREAT!

[@melted_pistons]

I completely removed my rag joint in favor of a solid shaft with u-joints. Made an amazing difference and I don’t notice bump steer. My shaft came from an XJ Jeep Cherokee, no real modification needed, you just have to separate the XJ shaft to have the right length. Separate it by burning the plastic inside. You can research the swap yourself if you want to do it!

[@ethanol1305]

Holy crap! Sorry for the language, I’ve been trying to figure out why my 93 Subaru wrx has loose steering and I couldn’t find information anywhere, found your video, even tho it ain’t the same vehicle I still know what’s up now, thank you!

[@jimmystrange1]

on my '94 suburban,I was able to get rid of the slop at the steering box.There is an outer bolt that I loosened,Then an inner bolt I tightented,then re-tightened the outer.Piece of cake.I dont recall if there is also a rag joint.Thanks for you expertise,Eric!

[@robertlee4172]

FRIKKEN AMAZING!...a bit of trouble shooting, swap out some old parts and the car is on the road again. I recommend occasional car enthusiasts to swap out some of the steering fluids if their vehicle has seen significant mileage over the years. A cheap fix with some basic tools and all done within an hour. The change is quite remarkable.

[@billboyle7866]

Eric, I know this video is old but have reviewed it a few times. My problem is with my 4 speed TA 6.6 1979 Trans Am. The steering has become sloppy. I am in the throes of trying to access the top nut to remove the shaft so I can remove those damn original rivets in the rag joint. This has become a mental exercise for me. Accessing the nut from the top is not possible because of the engine width and closeness to the MC unit. The Z-bar clutch mechanism and rod from the clutch pedal is in the way for me to access the nut from under the MC unit. I keep taking parts off the car and just removed the driver's seat to get up under the dash to access the clutch pedal which I hope when released will allow me to get a straight shot to that nut with an extension and socket. What a can of worms so far. Had they used bolts on the rag joint at the factory this post would not have been made. BTW--thanks for all the helpful advice and hope your new 5000 square foot shop is a great fit for you.

[@billboyle7866]

How I did it: Access to the nut was achieved by turning the steering wheel just a bit that allowed me to come directly down from the top between the engine and the MC unit to get to the nut. Once the nut and bolt were removed it took a few minutes to tap the shaft out and a few more to pull the entire shaft from the car so I could dismantle the bad rag joint.

[@angeloeverett-autotech8999]

I have a truck at the shop with 294k and extreme slop in the steering. I have been trying to tell my boss that I have seen this problem before and it has been mostly a problem I the steering shift. I couldn't think of the part but Eric had me covered. 👍

[@jamesplotkin4674]

I changed that very component on my 1979 ElCamino and it sure made a difference. Looks like it fits about 10 million vehicles :)

[@raymond8875]

Yeah for Chevrolet. The best apocalyptic brand.

[@arth.4196]

Eric, I appreciate your knowledge and the time it takes to make these videos. I learned on my dads '64 F100 when I burned the clutch. Easier to work on, back in the day. At 67 yrs young I still do what I can. Just changed my wifes struts on her 2008 Odyssey. Long 3 day holiday weekend (:-)

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you very much for your comment.

[@dantea.cabreran.6946]

i had the same exact problem with my '84 Camaro two years ago, (that steering shaft looks exact the same), No mechanic could know where the problem was, I had to find out for myself. I rebuilt the piece with the same rubber / fabric material since they did not sell that piece in my country. I learned some things there, in each part there is a notch that indicates the position that goes, from the base of the steering wheel to the steering box, each component has this notch. later I found out that using that entire part of an Astro Van or Grand Cherokee would have been simpler for me since I don't have many tools and those rivets are extremely hard to cut.

[@ignition_mission7574]

A customer of mine had a similar Issue on a old F150 the steering coupler was In good shape, however the worm gear In the gearbox wasn't adjusted correctly. Great video Eric \m/

[@artgibbens1730]

I was thinking along the same lines. Many rear drive GM vehicles (but not all) have adjustable steering sector lash adjustments for taking away wheel slop.

[@projectpeace]

I’m installing a new rag joint in my ‘78 Corvette project car today. It was a rusty, raggedy dangerous mess. For a few dollars it’s an easy fix. I used synthetic grease on the splines to stop rust & smooth reassembly.

[@lucasskinner9673]

Cunningham machine makes a stellar ujoint replacement for this. Its 10x what a rag joint is

[@mariosalinasoutdoors5386]

Thanks for the info. They make solid products. I have ordered from them before. I’ll order a shaft today!

[@jamesburba1995]

I did the same thing as Scott Waters below. I used the shaft from a Jeep Cherokee on my '81 C-10, and it is much more solid than the rag joint ever dreamed of being.

[@codcade]

What year from the grand Cherokee

[@jamesburba1995]

@@codcade '88 Cherokee Chief.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

That time of year I guess! I just did the rag joint on my 34 year old Grand Marquis. There was a bit of slop in the steering on that one, too. This time she got the works - balls joints, control arm bushings, new rotors and pads, and a new steering box. Should be nice and tight now, once I get it aligned.👍🍻

[@jamesterrill1938]

good job done...At some point GM started using a sliding sleeve. I had a e 2004 and there was a constant noise and slack. The dealer said all that could be done wast to fill the cavity with grease. Problem solved - for a couple of weeks. I was told GM did NOT have a fix. Just had to constantly fill with heavy grease...

[@JPistols]

Sup Eric... Thanks for all your videos as they have helped us with our 97 Tahoe improvement project.. this one in particular. We replaced all the front end parts such as gear box, power steering, pit man arms, upper and lower control arms, shocks, etc. and still where having loose steering wheel issues. We will change out the entire coupling steering shaft and hope fully this fixes the issue. Anyways, thank you for your good and cool videos. Stay safe and stay healthy.

[@cj8172]

Just cost me $150 to get one sent here to New Zealand. The shipping is like 3-times the price of the rag joint, which sucks. But no more complaining, I need one. Great vid Eric, cheers mate.

[@idontknow2293]

Thanks for jogging my memory. Many many years ago, "I'm an old guy " I heard about this problem and the fix but I didn't remember exactly how. Now I'm restoring A 57 Chevy and this helps tremendously. Thanks again.

[@tomrohn8607]

What brand rag joint.and part number?

[@idontknow2293]

@@tomrohn8607 KZbin answered you. I have no idea what they're talking about. The only thing KZbin got right is that I'm an old guy 👴 Sorry bout that. Now they'll probably remove this text. 🙄

[@bwest-yq3uc]

Good video....had to do my old truck a few years ago. My job seemed to be a little harder than his job. He make it look easier.

[@mcmillonbe]

About 10 years ago, I purchased an 91 Ford F-150 4x4 from a small dealer. I think i paid $1200 for it. The steering was scary sloppy. I went to the junkyard and found a rag joint from another Ford, it was maybe $15. It went from 3-5" of slop in center, to about 1/2". Best $15 that I ever spent.

[@ja8898]

I have this on my c1500. I thought I had seen every ETCG Dad's truck video. Surprised I missed this one.

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

I'm an old guy who has seen a number of trucks in my time but wow, congrats on this fine looking truck! Hopefully I'll glean some more wisdom!😊 Liked, Subbed and shared - thanks Eric definitely will do this to my 200K plus miles 1993 sloppy-steering CK1500!

[@bradmaas6875]

Just did this a couple of months ago on one of my foxbodys. Could only get the rag by itself. Too much fun.

[@buildanother68chevelle75]

Been watching you for some years now. Thanks for all the effort. You empowered me to tackle projects and maintenance I never would have before. Thanks! Saw the video you did when designing the layout of your gauges and always appreciate that custom touch. During the test drive, a digital gauge is constantly bouncing around 13.1ish. Air/fuel, Voltage? Either way, my head would explode. Love my not digital gauges. Even notice it when I’m driving next to a car that has them. That constant fluctuation is distracting.

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes, that is the A/F gauge. I like to keep an eye on that. You get used to it after a while. Thanks for the comment.

[@mikey4016]

@@ericthecarguy Oh, I thought that was a volt meter and I was going to ask why your charging voltage was so low. Now I don't need to. By the way, I like your videos, they are helpful and entertaining. I've been fixing my own vehicles forever since I'm disabled and basically homeless so I definitely can't afford to pay anyone, I can barely afford parts, in fact I've been spending most of my SUBsistence income on rebuilding the front end of my Suburban for the past few years. And I really want to get a new transmission in my Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser and my Jeep Wagoneer. I have some nice vehicles, but I haven't had anything that's usable for a few years, it makes surviving 60 miles from the nearest store quite challenging especially since I'm disabled.

[@thepaulmanator]

Picked up a used "Rag Joint" for my `92 Silverado at an auto recycler a couple weeks ago for less than $15. Made a big difference!

[@ibonpath6569]

workin on a 99 yukon denali, after rebuilding front end and replacing steering sensor i was lost on whats next, thanks man cheaked mine and its ruined like yours was. great vid

[@MotorScotti]

Did the same on my Firebird, it helped a lot. I decided not to install the ASTRO van steering shaft in order to not damage the steering box.

[@darkdelta]

Eric, I think you just solved a problem I'm having, and you showed the how to fix !!!! Many thanks!!

[@rjsmith7170]

Thanks, same problem, great info.

[@labradormcgraw]

ETCG is so dependable. Every video is a winner.

[@Motorsportsgeek]

Back when I had my mustang, I just covered the rag joint with urethane and made it solid. Didn't look pretty but tightened my steering.

[@dieselchevette]

The only part I didnt check in my 97 k1500 GMC steering that is vague. Forgot about it. It looks worse than the one you just took off. Nice job Eric!

[@TheresMrFord]

I have a crazy amount of slop in my 2001 expedition I was thinking it was the gearbox thinking about rebuilding it changing it did not know this part existed appreciate you

[@kenc.9067]

Wow, I can't believe how much slop was in that joint, just from wiggling it while still on the truck. I'm about to do this job to my 1990 K2500.

[@oldbiker9739]

just did my 1991 GMC 1500 sh0rt box WOW what a difference like a ROCK again. , thanks Eric hello from Alberta Canada

[@dropinbiking92]

Nice video as always. Very common problem

[@jrbird7571]

Good stuff. Thanks. I just replaced the steering gearbox on a `99 GMC Suburban and I'll be damned if I can't get the cover slid back over the rag joint. Good time to go ahead and replace the rag joint so I can get that cover slid back down.

[@matthewbim10]

Thanks Eric! I too had to grind the rivets off and use a hammer drill to pop the studs out. The Dremel cutting wheels and accessory kit was $60, the new rag joint was $11 and the hardware was probably around $5. I even had to get a second rag joint because the auto shop sold me a too large one. Even with locktite the materials were under what I paid for a stupid Dremel kit.

[@em21701]

I had a mid 80's Ram that had a similar problem. It was a common problem with that generation truck. The wheel would have 45° of play because the CV type joint at he top would wear out completely. There was no master spline on that one and I drove with the wheel turned quite a bit after I replaced the joint.

[@robertb8280]

Great video. My 2004 Blazer has the same issue. Going to try and tackle it this week

[@rickgaine3476]

I’m glad the truck is coming together nicely for you

[@hozisalehi]

I don't have this truck, but you bet I am watching this video all the way.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@stevanrose7439]

My old Ford had a rag joint in its steering column and it was easy to replace but the ones I bought were not very strong and wouldn’t last. So I found an old tire and started cutting them out of it. It was a little thicker and stronger and would last a lot longer.

[@freakyflow]

Bought my Truck used Test drove it down a few side streets Hard brake stomp on the gas ..no real issues did not notice the light slop Untill driving it home Canadian winters are famous for people sliding into curbs Add in years of wear and tear The rag joint was "pooched" Bought a u-joint set up no slop very little vibration ..

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Ha! Eric your problems are my problems have same issue on my daughter Land Rover. Great timing releasing this ‘vid’ thanks.

[@serafinaguilar2194]

Thank you you Erick the car guy

[@CaptainNero]

Well worth it to replace it. Had to replace them on my 76 1 ton and my 84 1/2 ton.

[@karontorres2630]

My 94 k1500 has the same steering problem, I didn't know that part was even there. Thanks for the video Eric, looks like a simple fix, I'll try it.

[@KevinxDoll]

fun tip for OBS owners. you can use a jeep XJ steering shaft to replace the rag joint and it helps improve slop a lot

[@jerejoy5196]

Not on 96-up

[@davidwilson1105]

I have 93 f150 going to try this !

[@dav8388]

That part is called the intermediate shaft. A Drag link connects the steering gear box to the steering linkage. Anybody familiar with jeeps it is the bar that goes from the pitman arm over to the passenger side knuckle

[@tim1299]

thanks for the explanation. On older vehicles, how about the adjustment on the Saginaw steering box.

[@robertanderson8218]

thanks eric I was wondering what part on my old superdutys to change for their loose steering.

[@thatdrh]

ok... more importantly: is that an Elvis clock behind @ 11:50 ? Also keep clicking the 11:50 repeatedly.. it makes you do funny stuff.... Great vid

[@Psxmoe]

Why was popping out those rivets so satisfying!?

[@Beowulf627]

I'm about to do a front end rebuild and I'll be doing a U-joint instead of a rag joint. I'm using a custom made one from Derek's Steering Shafts on FB instead of the Jeep shaft but either will do. Word of warning to anyone, 97-98 trucks cannot do the Cherokee mod. There's a "blob" joint behind the firewall where the upper shaft goes in. It could in theory make the steering shaft bind up. Make sure you are careful if you do delete the rag joint.

[@benjaminsmith9534]

I see the power steering tubing into the rack is still holding up well with all it's strange bends haha. Nice to see the improvement in steering reaction!

[@davidschmidt5533]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world.

[@Jopacob]

Just started a79chev that has this problem. Thanks Eric

[@jameshall4385]

you should look into a jeep cherokee xj steering shaft. i swapped out the shaft on my 89 k5 blazer and it was amazing. i paid ten dollars at the junkyard. you eliminate the rag joint and the worn out upper uofu-joint. it took about ten minutes to swap it.

[@jamescopley6473]

Fyi that is the same rag used on 2000 s10... Thanks for the video eric

[@nestorroman2694]

Excellent 👍 job Sir!

[@eliasshadow5643]

Great work on that truck 🤘

[@ucnhtmenow1]

2:36.. I know most things are self explanatory, but when giving a tutorial video, something as simple as showing how to release the plastic cover on the lower joint can make the world of a difference for someone who isn't confident in their mechanical skills. I've watched a few of these videos and no one else showed that process, as simple as it may be. I've been building performance street cars for over a decade now, and I can tell you that when working on a car that you've never worked on before, every bit of information makes the job just that much easier. People that don't work on cars don't realize how much of it actually involves using brain power and not just forearm strength to turn nuts and bolts lol. I had a buddy who gave up on stabbing a distributor on a late 80's GMC because he's used to working on ford's where the oil pressure pin just drops in before the distributor, but on the GMC, the oil pin is already in the block and it must line up with the distributor or you will never get it right. I don't know why he didn't just Google it, but it took me 5 seconds to get my big head back there to see in the hole and put a screwdriver in there to line up the slots and it dropped right in.

[@alexyo3927]

Nice truck

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you.

[@ED-ti5tc]

Just did this last month on my 98 k1500. It wasn't too bad. Got my rag joint from autozone and had to buy bolts separate to put back together. Couldn't find this part any where. They wanted to sell the steering shaft for $187.00. Rag joint was $10.00 plus extra bolts.

[@garnetcampbell4389]

My 2003 F250 had the same problem but tightened up on turns. Steering box was worn out in the "center" position. Installed a Ford reman and then she was as tight as the day it drove off the lot.

[@jeffbanghart2311]

Great Video, well done, lighting was superior.

[@bryanwheels6174]

Eric, love your knowledge and videos , your the man. I need to replace a rag joint on a 1993 full size blazer but the link for the one you used on ebay no longer comes up. Would you have that part # ...?

[@DkpProductions]

What a beauty. Eric is.

[@teddyg655]

Those dash gauges look nice!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks. I made the cluster myself. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2a9qmNqnqepsKs

[@mickjager5974]

You can also buy just the rubber piece for about 10 bucks Dorman help kit 31002. also has a couple bolt to replace the rivets and some of the shield things, not sure why you need them. I found out this weekend it's lot of work because you have to cut all four rivets and I didn't have a die grinder. And I'd suggest using a straight one like you did but with a burr or stone rather than a wheel to get into the recessed area the head is in. That would have made short working of it. Drilling was not fun!

[@tacoma5543]

Nice looking engine man!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks. Built it myself.

[@brianbaker253]

Nice OBS

[@AEON.]

if its just a little loose tighten the sector shaft top in the center, allen bolt after loosening the holder nut thats around it. Do only a small adjustment because it will cause the steering box to wear out faster.

[@charlieb308]

Many GM guys will replace the silly shaft with a jeep shaft. For example: I have an 86 Monte Carlo SS and I used a Jeep Cherokee shaft, retracts for easy install and no movement. Jeep and GM used same Saginaw box...not having a rag joint is best! Guys do the mod for your truck also

[@glasser2819]

ERIC READ THIS... Problem is front shaft X-joints are 1/2 rusted. The fix is to pull the spindle and replace both chafts X-joints that get rusted after enough salty winters. This is common to all 4x4 "trucks" ie. front wheels chafts PARTLY stop flexing and HUGH THE STEERING OFF CENTER! (Search your fav youtube truck wizard channels) 👍

[@djrickysmith]

Thank you Eric.

[@edwardpryor8592]

Thanks Eric I need to do the same to my 1995 Chevy Silverado

[@JoseRodriguez-oc5xo]

That s why you are men I have 94 chevy and this video save me a lot Grasias amigo larga vida a ti .

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ✌️

[@billygreenhorn9275]

Great vid Eric

[@wesleymed4825]

you could eat out of the engine bay.. nice one man

[@MrRoy-rb1je]

Outstanding

[@unclegeorge6175]

Great to know. I would have suspected slack within the gearbox or rack.

[@bobrappucci683]

Thank you Eric great video enjoyed it I like your truck I have a 94 K 1500 that I've had for God forever and I'm trying to put it back together properly it needs a lot of stuff I like your gauges I'd like to do something like that as well and I wanted to know what kind of ignition you were running I'm going to follow some of your videos and see what's going on keep up the good work thank you so much

[@domenicmanicone2612]

Lots of great information! Great video !

[@rusty6666]

Nice jod Eric must have made a big difference i bet for sure...

[@tonyzaragoza5763]

You man bro very helpful

[@temirtaragay8932]

Why did you bend end of the shart after removing the two bolts? I noticed you grinded off some metal from the surface if it...

[@chatkat9765]

Thanks Eric, I assuming it would be similarfor a 90' F250

[@ericthecarguy]

Yes.

[@bgd73]

that is a number 1 reason I walk away from the short trucks. Life begins at a 12 foot wheelbase ;o)

[@jesseortiz8829]

I have a 91 camaro and just removed shaft but the boot on other end is torn , question is can I replace the other end boot also ?

[@ericthecarguy]

Not sure, but you could probably find a replacement shaft if the parts not replaceable.

[@ImanAhole]

What did you end up doing about the top boot? My 92 Blazer is in the same boat. Now that I know what it is, I can't shrug it off with a "eh all GM steering is loose, it's fine", of course now with every turn l make, I'm playing out my deaths scenario in my head.

[@chrisperez8092]

Nice obs!!!!

[@Sevalecan]

Alright fine, aside from replacing the springs and bushings on my 91 Diesel Suburban, this is the only other thing I've not done as well. I'll at least check it. :P The steering isn't just loose on mine though, it has a weird phase delay when driving. It's hard to describe, but that's about as close as I can come. I have to turn the wheel further to get it to start turning, then back off a little bit... It's really frustrating to drive. My 85 is loose, but nowhere near as bad.

[@ProjectFairmont]

I saw you in Carlisle PA last year, and the car I drove there from WI (‘77 Lincoln Mk V) had upon further inspection once I returned home was a total absence of a rag joint. I only had the upper and lower brackets which meshed after at least 1” of turn on wheel. Sloppy to say the least....

[@anthonyhettinger9702]

Adjust the gear box a tad tighter while your there.. Not too much it will wonder.. I usually diagnosis my issues before replacing everything.