67 Rag Joint

[Donald H.]

I'm cleaning and repairing my original rag joint. I also have one of the last from LIC when they were making them. When I bought it, the LIC one was supposed to be the best reproduction available.

The original has the two large rivets and two bolts (first picture). When I took the bolts apart, I found that both bolts took a 1/2" wrench on the bolt heads and a 9/16" wrench on the nuts. And, both bolts have shoulders that are 7/16" in diameter. However, on the thread ends, one bolt is 5/16-24 and the other is 3/8"-24 (picture 2).

Does anyone know the purpose of using what I would consider a rather strange setup with two different sized thread ends?

Also, in doing research, I found comments from Jim Shea where he stated that he would never use bolts without shoulders on the rag joint since a straight bolt would be compressing the donut directly. I noticed that the LIC reproduction do not have bolts with shoulders.

So, my other question is does anyone know of a source for more correct bolts with shoulders.

Thanks,

Don

[Stephen L.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

IMHO the bolts are different sizes as are the mating holes to prevent installing the rag joint halves 180 deg out, because there are alignment grooves etc. on the shafts that keep the system "clocked" during assembly from steering wheel to sector box.

[Gary R.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

I believe that is correct. Also, Corvette Steering made the rags for LICS and I don't think they were able to source them after Tom R passed away 11 years ago.

[Donald H.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

That would make sense, however if you take the bolts completely out you can reverse the halves. Since the shoulders are both the same size, you can put either bolt in either hole of the donut and reverse the whole thing.

Don

[Donald H.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

I believe that is correct. Also, Corvette Steering made the rags for LICS and I don't think they were able to source them after Tom R passed away 11 years ago.

I'm looking for some steel spacers that I can make into external sleeves for the bolts and try to correct the LIC rag joint I have now.

Don

[Leif A.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

I'm looking for some steel spacers that I can make into external sleeves for the bolts and try to correct the LIC rag joint I have now.

Don

Don,
Try the link below for your shouldered bolts.

https://www.mcmaster.com/screws/system-of-measurement~inch/material~steel/head-type~hex/

Steel Hex Head Shoulder Screws

A zinc plating provides mild corrosion resistance. Also known as wheel and axle bolts, these shoulder screws have a hex head that can be gripped with a wrench. A standard shoulder with an undersized tolerance allows them to fit most machinery and equipment.For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.

Shoulder Lg.	Thread Size	Thread Lg.	Head Wd.	Head Ht.	Finish	Tensile Strength, psi		1-4	5-Up
1 5/16"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A460	$7.13	$6.06
1 3/8"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A480	6.87	5.84
1 7/16"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A500	7.52	6.39
1 1/2"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A520	7.73	6.57
1 9/16"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A540	8.46	7.19
1 5/8"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A560	9.19	7.81
1 3/4"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A580	10.70	9.09
1 7/8"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A600	11.51	9.78
2"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A620	11.60	9.86
2 1/8"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A640	12.20	10.37
2 1/4"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A670	12.97	11.02
2 1/2"	1/4"-20	3/4"	5/8"	3/16"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A690	14.52	12.34
1 5/16"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A210	6.85	5.82
1 3/8"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A230	6.85	5.82
1 7/16"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A250	6.85	5.82
1 1/2"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A270	6.85	5.82
1 9/16"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A290	6.85	5.82
1 5/8"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A310	6.85	5.82
1 3/4"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A330	8.78	7.46
1 7/8"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A350	8.78	7.46
2"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A370	8.78	7.46
2 1/8"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A390	9.16	7.78
2 1/4"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A420	9.16	7.78
2 1/2"	3/8"-16	3/4"	3/4"	1/4"	Zinc Plated	70,000	94496A440	9.16	7.78

[Donald H.]

Re: 67 Rag Joint

Leif, good suggestion, but none of the shoulders are short enough. I have ordered spacers that I will cut to length.

Thanks for the help

Don