63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

[Edward J.]

Hi guys,
I am looking for some advice on where to purchace a rebuild kit, so many venders have them, is there one that has the correct number of layers as the factory? and your advice on setting the rivet, I was thinking using my press. to set?? thanks Ed

[Edward D.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Best rebuild kit is the one from Long Island Corvette. It comes with the rivets but I find them a bit long and shorten them about 1/16". You have to clamp the assembly together to compress the rag a bit and then peen the rivets with a good old fashioned ball peen hammer. Take your time and peen around the edge of the river until you have it nicely mushroomed. Then to finish, use your press to flatten the peened end. I use a trailing arm bushing tool set with a bolt and heavy washers through the center of the joint and tool to hold it together while peening the rivets.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

There are no more good rebuild kits; Long Island had the good ones (correct carcass material with 7 layers) but they have been out of them for a while... The "good" carcasses are unobtanium at this time.. Their current rebuild kits have the sub-standard "rag"...

There is also no way for the home hobbyist to easily "hot rivet" the coupler together.... It took about 3 weeks but I found an NOS one on eBay and paid out the ying-yang for it, the seller knew what he had and how rare they are...

Here is some reading on the topic, IIRC the article is by Jim Shea, but I'm not 100% sure:

[Edward D.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

I don't know what process was used by the original manufacturer, but I doubt if white hot rivets were used as these would melt the rubber web. I do know that the rivets in the LIC kit are mild steel and you can work these cold as I have noted. LIC still has a kit available, their p/n is 18-37F.

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Ed go to advance search and type in rag joint and look for c3 rag joint restoration by Tom Krause this maybe helpful.

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Guys thanks for the info, I think I will try L. I. Corvette , I looked at there's and they have the rivets , its going to be a spare and I was interested in trying to restore one to see how it comes out.

[Bob W.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Ed, please let use know how it works out and the quality of the kit.

Thanks Bob

[Dan M.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Ed, did you ever sort out your rag joint rebuild? I have the same issue and not sure what to do with it yet. The rubber is torn in one spot and needs to be replaced. Everything else of course is perfect shape.
Dan

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Dan never did anything I found a nos one in Carlisle.

[Frank D.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Dan never did anything I found a nos one in Carlisle.

I also found an NOS one. As stated NObody has the correct carcasses anymore since LICS ran out, the current rubber disc types will work kinda, sorta, but they're flimsy and not optimal IMO. Here is one I used for this coupler, the results is a sloppiness in operation, reduced dampening, etc..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1G5Yp91HK0

[Dan M.]

Re: 63 steering coupler rebuild advice.

Ok good to know. I'll keep searching! Tks guys