Rag joint removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eightbanger · 04-02-2009, 12:07 PM

I did search this...but no luck, so I have to ask.
How do you remove the Rag Joint?
I have been at this for half an hour and I think that splined head is about to sheer off, or my wrench is going to snap.

Is this it?

sjarrett71 · 04-02-2009, 01:34 PM

Even after you loosen that nut you might have to pry the joint off. Sometimes they stick pretty good.

eightbanger · 04-02-2009, 01:39 PM

Thanks for the confirmation sjarrett71, looks like I may have to drill it out.

sjarrett71 · 04-02-2009, 05:09 PM

Is it not turning or is it stripped? The threads are pretty fine on those IIRC.

eightbanger · 04-02-2009, 05:57 PM

It's just not budging, my wrench is moving slightly but with the force i'm using I know that it is'nt turning, more like the head of the bolt is starting to twist off.

Longstep70 · 04-02-2009, 06:15 PM

I just did this. i used a 12 point socket so I didn't strip the head of the bolt and then I had to pry the rag joint off the splines. Is the head twisting off or is it getting chewed by the wrench?

-Andy

eightbanger · 04-02-2009, 07:20 PM

That's the wrench i'm using, and it's got a good hold but the head of the nut feels like it's twisting...got it soaked in WD40 tonight so'll have another go after work tomorow.

vectorit · 04-02-2009, 07:46 PM

Best to use a 12 point socket, then remove the bolt completely. Since it sits in a grove on the steering box shaft, then use a large blade screw driver to gently sepperate it a bit off the splines. It should be easy to pull off from the steering box stub shaft from there.

sjarrett71 · 04-02-2009, 07:51 PM

I agree with Vectorit. Use a socket instead of a wrench, you might get a better grip on it and be able to turn it more than with a wrench (fine threads). It will have to come all the way out because it sits in a groove.

eightbanger · 04-02-2009, 07:56 PM

I admit that wrench is small and hard to get a good hold of...Cheers guys!

swissarmychainsaw · 09-16-2013, 12:42 AM

Use a good penetrating oil (not WD-40).

Put a socket on it, and use a breaker bar for leverage.
(a 3ft piece of pipe works great).

With those two things, and sometime heat, nothing can stand in your way.
--Nick

**LockDoc** · 09-16-2013, 10:22 AM

Nigel,

That should be a grade 8 bolt so I think it would come out before it twists off. Let us know how you come along with it.

I also agree with the WD-40 not being a good penetrating oil...

LockDoc

eightbanger · 09-16-2013, 12:50 PM

Leon, Nick.

Did this little job a while back now, I should have posted a conclusion...my bad!

It came off the following day after a night soaked in the WD40 and using the socket as advised. Thanks guys.

04-02-2009, 12:07 PM	#1
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Rag joint removal I did search this...but no luck, so I have to ask. How do you remove the Rag Joint? I have been at this for half an hour and I think that splined head is about to sheer off, or my wrench is going to snap. Is this it? __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

04-02-2009, 01:34 PM	#2
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Rag joint removal Even after you loosen that nut you might have to pry the joint off. Sometimes they stick pretty good. __________________ -Scott-

04-02-2009, 01:39 PM	#3
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Rag joint removal Thanks for the confirmation sjarrett71, looks like I may have to drill it out. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

04-02-2009, 05:09 PM	#4
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Rag joint removal Is it not turning or is it stripped? The threads are pretty fine on those IIRC. __________________ -Scott-

04-02-2009, 05:57 PM	#5
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Rag joint removal It's just not budging, my wrench is moving slightly but with the force i'm using I know that it is'nt turning, more like the head of the bolt is starting to twist off. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

04-02-2009, 06:15 PM	#6
Longstep70 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Jose , Ca Posts: 235	Re: Rag joint removal I just did this. i used a 12 point socket so I didn't strip the head of the bolt and then I had to pry the rag joint off the splines. Is the head twisting off or is it getting chewed by the wrench? -Andy

04-02-2009, 07:20 PM	#7
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Rag joint removal That's the wrench i'm using, and it's got a good hold but the head of the nut feels like it's twisting...got it soaked in WD40 tonight so'll have another go after work tomorow. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

04-02-2009, 07:46 PM	#8
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Rag joint removal Best to use a 12 point socket, then remove the bolt completely. Since it sits in a grove on the steering box shaft, then use a large blade screw driver to gently sepperate it a bit off the splines. It should be easy to pull off from the steering box stub shaft from there. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

04-02-2009, 07:51 PM	#9
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Rag joint removal I agree with Vectorit. Use a socket instead of a wrench, you might get a better grip on it and be able to turn it more than with a wrench (fine threads). It will have to come all the way out because it sits in a groove. __________________ -Scott-

04-02-2009, 07:56 PM	#10
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Rag joint removal I admit that wrench is small and hard to get a good hold of...Cheers guys! __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger

09-16-2013, 12:42 AM	#11
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Re: Rag joint removal Use a good penetrating oil (not WD-40). Put a socket on it, and use a breaker bar for leverage. (a 3ft piece of pipe works great). With those two things, and sometime heat, nothing can stand in your way. --Nick

09-16-2013, 10:22 AM	#12
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,331	Re: Rag joint removal Nigel, That should be a grade 8 bolt so I think it would come out before it twists off. Let us know how you come along with it. I also agree with the WD-40 not being a good penetrating oil... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

09-16-2013, 12:50 PM	#13
eightbanger 454 MAKES IT ROAR Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Essex, U.K Posts: 2,701	Re: Rag joint removal Leon, Nick. Did this little job a while back now, I should have posted a conclusion...my bad! It came off the following day after a night soaked in the WD40 and using the socket as advised. Thanks guys. __________________ Nigel. An American living in a British body. 1971 Chevy Cheyenne 10 454 "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" - Thomas Jefferson No more pain. 03.12.60 -- 12.28.10 http://www.youtube.com/Eightbanger



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