AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Shop => Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: TEagle85 on December 23, 2014, 05:17:01 PM

Title: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: TEagle85 on December 23, 2014, 05:17:01 PM
I need to replace the rag joint on my eagle but having a hard time finding the part. Is this a somewhat universal part?
Possibly thinking about doing a cherokee steering gear box swap in the future, would that be a different rag joint?   

Thanks
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: eaglebeek on December 23, 2014, 06:04:32 PM
A similar rag joint was used in many GM light trucks/pickups in the mid to late 60s. I'm wondering if joints for such vehicles will fit our Eagles. :eagle:
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: TEagle85 on December 23, 2014, 06:14:05 PM
? not sure, I think since I have it all tore apart anyway Im going to just go ahead with the swap, going to get a 98' Jeep Cherokee gear box, new pitman arm for a Eagle, lines and a stock Eagle steering pump and reservoir. Should all work together from what I gathered in the Forum.
Just cant find any info on the rag joints. Even searching the 98 cherokee 
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: eaglefreek on December 23, 2014, 08:10:25 PM
I don't think Cherokee's used a ragjoint. I think you'll need to take your old one with you to the parts store and match it up to one in the Help section.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Amc1320 on December 23, 2014, 08:45:32 PM
Amc used G M steering columns

Maybe the rag joints are the same too?

I would take it to the parts store, cross it with a camaro or some other rwd gm car of a similar year
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on December 24, 2014, 02:52:45 AM
The rag joints are available in at least 4 sizes on the "HELP!" rack. I want to get rid of teh rag joint but the Eagle doesn't have a slip joint like Jeep XJs do. I have a tilt column from a Comanche with column shift I'd like to use, but the cable setup won't work with the Eagle (the brake assembly upper section has a hole for it)
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Mernsy on December 24, 2014, 04:39:10 AM
The 'Pedia parts catalog comes up with J8134564. I guess the proper name is "flange".

http://amceaglesden.com/guide/Section_36,_Steering_Gear,_Steering_Columns_and_Steering_Wheels
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on December 24, 2014, 04:59:30 AM
Dorman 31002 HELP! Power Steering Coupling Disc or one of the others on the same page. {Amazon)
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: runs.like on February 09, 2015, 10:37:17 AM
So is the Dorman 31002 the right part??  I'm ready to pull my steering gear box and can see I'm going to need a rag joint too.   If i can help it I dont want to pull it all apart until I have parts in hand.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: runs.like on February 19, 2015, 09:25:50 AM
Went to NAPA and asked for the Dorman 31002 and they gave me what they said was the NAPA equivalent, it was way too small in diameter.  Not sure if they gave me the wrong part or what...
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on February 19, 2015, 02:02:20 PM
Did they give you a BK 630-1440 or NOE 630-1440 ? I've noticed the newer numbered parts aren't always correct.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: runs.like on February 19, 2015, 04:14:29 PM
NAPA  gave me 630-1440, it was way too small
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on February 19, 2015, 08:05:45 PM
Grey or red package?
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: runs.like on February 21, 2015, 04:11:58 PM
Grey
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on February 21, 2015, 11:01:47 PM
Does it say "Made in China" on the back?
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: runs.like on February 22, 2015, 12:26:05 PM
Nope,
it says "Made in Mexico"
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: TEagle85 on May 23, 2015, 07:07:11 AM
Figure I add this for future reference, or at least until the link expires. Found the rag joint that worked.   Fits perfect.

ebay link  for   Corvette 1970-1982  Rag Joint Steering Coupler

http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-Rag-Joint-Steering-Coupler-Corvette-70-71-72-73-74-75-76-77-78-79-80-81-82/351405284077?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D29005%26meid%3Dc0bc9db64b27433cb95ef2c99938c7ba%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D361238796831


Specs:
Description: This rag joint comes complete with lower casting  3.25" OD
For 3/4" 25 spline input shafts with flat
 
Total OD: 3 ¼”

Bolt Size: 5/16”

Bolt Spacing: 2 9/16” center to center

Pin Diameter: 13/32”

Pin Spacing: 2 7/16” center to center

Grounding Plate: yes.

Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Baskinator on June 24, 2015, 11:01:12 AM
The correct PN is "Dorman HELP! 31000 Power Steering Coupling Disc" found at just about any Advance Auto store. I listed it in my Hydroboost conversion here: http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=43869.msg341786#msg341786
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Baskinator on June 26, 2015, 01:12:03 PM
Also important to note that the original hardware will need to be used for the Dorman part, as only the rubber disk itself is correct. That means you will need to grind off the metal pieces to bolt them onto the new disk.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Nightpath on September 17, 2015, 11:13:37 PM
Jeep XJ, at least till 95, should fit the Eagle column. When I did my swap I checked it, just need to cut it down a few inches (remove the plastic cover iirc)
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: carnuck on September 17, 2015, 11:31:34 PM
XJ column done right will do away with the rag joint too.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Keystothejeepeagle on August 26, 2016, 11:13:48 AM
Hoping to revive this thread..  My eagle needs a new rag joint.  I'm ordering a pitman arm and steering box (XJ, ZJ, and eagle are all the same P/N) from rock auto.

TEagle85 said the corvette rag joint "fits perfect",  BUT The rag joint Description is: 3/4" 25 spline input shafts with flat.  The input shaft on the steering is 0.72" 26 spline.

So that's 0.03" and a spline off.

I'm broke and trying to get this sorted for as little as possible.  I just spent 120 bucks on a steering shaft for my wrangler, and would rather just replace the rag joint, but would consider it if anyone knows a steering shaft which is direct swap. :help:

Jeff
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: TEagle85 on August 26, 2016, 01:58:51 PM
Hey Keystothejeepeagle, It has been working for me perfectly. I also replaced the steering gear with part number 7525 from Autozone. Same part number at rock auto and other places I found. I think I have some photos laying around for reference. Ill have to see the spline count. I forgot. Might be on this thread too.
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Keystothejeepeagle on August 26, 2016, 02:19:41 PM
7525 is the steering gear P/N I ordered.  I'll try out that corvette rag joint then.

Thanks!
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: amc78concord on August 18, 2020, 12:41:41 AM
The correct PN is "Dorman HELP! 31000 Power Steering Coupling Disc" found at just about any Advance Auto store. I listed it in my Hydroboost conversion here: http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=43869.msg341786#msg341786
This is an old thread, but there just isn't any information out there for our Eagles (or AMC's in general for that matter...)

I purchased this Dorman 31000 Rag Joint rebuild kit from my local O'Reillys and it was INCORRECT for my 1983 Eagle Wagon.  The bolt holes on the steering coupling from the Eagle are 2-7/16"  apart, and the bolt holes on the Dorman 31000 are 2-1/4" apart...Which is too short.

I have measured multiple steering column rag joints and shaft couplings that I have lying around my garage...they all measure 2-7/16" apart for the bolt holes, center to center.

I have been doing a TON of research on this, and have found what I thought to be the correct replacement...but it says the bolt holes are 2-9/16" apart...and yet some people have said it worked for them with their AMC!  This part is the Lares 200 Rag Joint.

Then there is the 1970-82 Corvette Rag Joint.  Found some measurement information, and it too comes in at 2-9/16" measurement center to center for the bolt holes.

So what is the correct rag joint???  What really is the correct measurement?  Do I have oddball steering columns???
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: Mitch on August 18, 2020, 10:03:29 PM
Do you know the spline count?

https://www.performanceonline.com/Rag-Joint-Coupler-for-Power-and-Manual-Steering-Gear-Boxes/
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: djm3452004 on August 19, 2020, 08:59:48 AM
The correct PN is "Dorman HELP! 31000 Power Steering Coupling Disc" found at just about any Advance Auto store. I listed it in my Hydroboost conversion here: http://forums.amceaglesden.com/index.php?topic=43869.msg341786#msg341786
This is an old thread, but there just isn't any information out there for our Eagles (or AMC's in general for that matter...)

I purchased this Dorman 31000 Rag Joint rebuild kit from my local O'Reillys and it was INCORRECT for my 1983 Eagle Wagon.


Hmmm...the Dorman 31000 worked fine for me for my '83 wagon.  And when I say "worked fine", I don't mean it was pleasant to install, because it definitely was not.  But I didn't have any fitment/hole alignment issues with that P/N, and I have the standard Eagle column and GM steering box.

David
Title: Re: 85 eagle rag joint
Post by: amc78concord on August 24, 2020, 05:08:54 PM
UPDATE:

Found the CORRECT Rag Joint  (...For my application, anyway)

Dorman Part #31011

It is the entire Rag Joint assembly, not the rebuildable kind.  Made for 81-87 GMC full size trucks and SUVs.  Fit absolutely perfect on the Eagle steering column end & the Jeep Cherokee Steering Box.

Bolts are 2-7/16" apart, and are also a size different as the original was.  It was an EXACT replacement.

Not sure what made it so difficult for me and my situation...the Eagle was 110% stock and unmolested at the time of putting all of the parts in... Plus my 1971 Gremlin and a Column from an 81 Spirit also have the same measurements...

Hopefully this helps someone else in the future...This one had me smashing my head into the wall...!