[sdbob]

I was looking at an old early 70s rag joint. I was thinking could 1/2" conveyor belting be used to repair? Belting had what looked like same layering.Conveyor belting seems to last from what I've seen in construction. I was thinking punch holes carefully,cut diameter with a hole saw. I'm I innovative or crazy?

[dataway]

Probably could ... there is another topic on this subject being discussed right now ... evidently Doorman makes a coupler with the right material. I'm unclear as to if you can buy just the disk or if you must buy the whole coupler.

[1968GTO421]

Here's a link to the other rag joint discussion going on:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=843693

[Rincon]

Dorman carries several steering coupler assemblies. Only one pn#31000, is a steering coupler disc kit that includes just the rubber disc and the hardware.is that what your talking about?

[dataway]

Which one of these kits would be the right one?

https://www.dormanproducts.com/gsear...pling+disk+kit

The 31002 looks most like my OEM parts.

[P@blo]

Thanks Johnny you are a gentlemen as always.

Yes it is the Dorman 31002 kit here are some pictures of one I have in my parts bin. You can see the disc has the more correct layering. Not saying its original, but its the closest I have found to OE.

[dataway]

Thank you, I just ordered one.

[Schurkey]

While the application is entirely different, one of the best things I ever did to the steering of my '88 K1500 was to scrap the lower steering column shaft along with the rag joint, and install a steering column shaft that has a metal U-joint instead.

Rag joint failures on the '88--'98 pickups (and similar-chassis SUVs) are epidemic. It's common as dirt to have to herd them down the road by sawing the steering wheel left--right--left--right about "three inches" constantly. If one looks at the rag joint, the steel parts are polished by banging against each other because the "rag" is worn-out and has gone soft.

IF (big IF) there's a similar steering column shaft that dispenses with the rag joint in favor of a U-joint that fits your application..take that option!