Rag Joint Hockey Puck

[Joe C.]

I have gone through one reproduction rag joint, and another which I rebuilt myself using the "correct" rebuild kit with shouldered bolts and rivets.

It has been suggested that the current rubber/fabric hockey pucks are not as strong as originals.

Does anyone know of a source for good, strong rubber hockey pucks and/or a source where someone can rebuild mine using high quality rubber or used original hockey puck.

It would be OK to use the service replacement/later style which has steel webbing for continuity, since the dimensions are the same, I believe.

[Gary R.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe,
I think the rags that LICS has are about the best on the market today. The quality of the current kits and rags is not even close to what Saginaw made for GM. The only one who built a quality rag was Tom Reina and he stopped about a year before his death because he couldn't get the material anymore. That was 6 years ago he told me that. The best option is LICS or look on ebay but be prepared to pay over $200 for a NOS one. I had some but I am down to just one 67-E69 & L69-82 NOS rags which are not for sale.

[Joe C.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe,
I think the rags that LICS has are about the best on the market today. The quality of the current kits and rags is not even close to what Saginaw made for GM. The only one who built a quality rag was Tom Reina and he stopped about a year before his death because he couldn't get the material anymore. That was 6 years ago he told me that. The best option is LICS or look on ebay but be prepared to pay over $200 for a NOS one. I had some but I am down to just one 67-E69 & L69-82 NOS rags which are not for sale.

I'm considering replacing it with a straight U-joint from Borgeson. Maybe making a 1/4" steel replica of the hockey puck, painting it black and bolting it solid to the original flanges with grade 8 bolts. LICS is a consideration.

I don't believe that there is much, if any movement or alignment issue between the steering box and the column. I feel that if I get perfect alignment between the two with the car at rest, then when subjected to severe cornering loads, there should be no variation.................unless the body mounts are in bad condition.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

I wonder if it would be possible to stiffen the rubber disc by sandwiching it between two large body washers bolted through its center. This would preserve its vibration isolation function but reduce its flexibility.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe,

I read your P/M but the only old rag joint I have here is the one off my 63 car but it's wore out also. I will keep a eye open for a NOS part for your car, the one in the picture resides on my 63 coupe. They pop up now and again on ebay, maybe try a wanted ad on the C/F.

[James B.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Just saw this listing on eBay.
112333761876

James

[Harry S.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Just saw this listing on eBay.
112333761876

James

Saw that also but I have no idea what the original PN was. It's not in the 63 AIM.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=%2863%2C1963%29+Corvette&_sc=1&_sop=10&_osacat=6000&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=112333761876&_sacat=6000

[Joe L.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Saw that also but I have no idea what the original PN was. It's not in the 63 AIM.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...76&_sacat=6000

Harry------


GM #5691327 is the original part number for 1963-66.

[Harry S.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe, Thank You....

I bit the bullet and bought the NOS one on Ebay. I've been fighting a vibration for years and this is one of the last two fixes I'll try before I give up.

[Harry S.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Well the part arrived today, looks fine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/112333761876...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The part does not come with a ground strap. Other than cutting out one perfectly good rivet to attach the strap does anyone have other suggestions?

Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Well the part arrived today, looks fine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/112333761876...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The part does not come with a ground strap. Other than cutting out one perfectly good rivet to attach the strap does anyone have other suggestions?

Thanks

Harry------


I don't think the ground strap is necessary on this coupling and I certainly would not remove a rivet and install one for the sake of originality.

[Harry S.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe, I think I need the strap for the horn ground?

[Joe L.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Joe, I think I need the strap for the horn ground?

Harry-----


If I recall correctly, the version of the coupling you bought uses a different grounding path and does not require the strap. Jim Shea's past posts might shed more light on this.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Harry,

The NOS rag joints have the last segment of rubber fiber impregnated with a wire mesh which when installed provides the ground path for the horn.

According to Jim Shea, anytime there was an design change at Saginaw, the change (mesh) was implemented on all service parts. I believe the mesh started late sixties early seventies.

The purpose of the copper strap or mesh was to provide a positive ground path for the horn relay circuit. There are other ground paths also in the column but the mesh/strap was a positive ground path in the event the others developed resistance.

[Harry S.]

Re: Rag Joint Hockey Puck

Harry,

The NOS rag joints have the last segment of rubber fiber impregnated with a wire mesh which when installed provides the ground path for the horn.

According to Jim Shea, anytime there was an design change at Saginaw, the change (mesh) was implemented on all service parts. I believe the mesh started late sixties early seventies.

The purpose of the copper strap or mesh was to provide a positive ground path for the horn relay circuit. There are other ground paths also in the column but the mesh/strap was a positive ground path in the event the others developed resistance.

Tim, I just took a magnet that can pull fillings at 10 feet, I do detect the mesh. With a magnifying glass I can see it.

Thank you I'm all set.