Remove Rag Joint from Steering shaft

[Mudbone2005]

Could some one tell me the best to remove the rag joint? From my research i found that its pressed on.

[sargentrs]

It's not pressed on, it's just a clamp. However, after 40 years they can get quite stuck from rust/gunk. Also, there is a groove all the way around the shaft on the steering box, near the top. They clamp bolt slides through this groove so you have to pull the bolt all the way out and spread the jaws a little. Then you can work it off the steering gear input shaft.

[Mudbone2005]

I’m referring the rag joint part that’s connected the steel going in the column. I’m doing cv swap and it with a u joint.

[sargentrs]

Oh! That side. A real PITA. The plate is pressed on the end of the splined shaft and then the end of the shaft is dimpled and swedged to expand larger than the splined hole in the plate. I removed it one time to replace a worn steering shaft during my 3spd column rebuild. Had a good shaft with a bad plate and a bad shaft with a good plate. Had the steering shaft out of the column already. Welded a 1-1/2" steel pipe to a heavy steel welding table. Slid the shaft through the pipe and held it up a few inches while my buddy heated the plate, near the shaft, cherry red. Then slid the shaft up and SLAMMED it down through the pipe. On about the 10th repeat, the plate popped off and flew across the shop. Did the other one the same way. Then pressed the good plate on the good shaft and welded the end of the shaft to the inside of the plate. I can't see how anyone could get that off while still in the truck. If you do, please tell us how you did it!

[Mudbone2005]

I have the column out of the truck was thinking I could cut it off but wanted to check here first

[sargentrs]

Cutting it off is definitely an option. You might also try taking a die grinder/Dremel and grinding off the lip around the inside of the plate on the end of the shaft, then try to press it off. I "cave man" did it because I thought it would be easy. Then got stubborn and refused to let it beat me. Good luck and let us know how you did it.

[Mudbone2005]

Cutting it off is definitely an option. You might also try taking a die grinder/Dremel and grinding off the lip around the inside of the plate on the end of the shaft, then try to press it off. I "cave man" did it because I thought it would be easy. Then got stubborn and refused to let it beat me. Good luck and let us know how you did it.

Thank you...... Followed a similar route of what you did. I up the shaft inside a 1.5 pipe that was a few inches longer then the shaft. I used a hand sledge Hammer and a punch and knocked the shaft down the pipe.

[sargentrs]

That works!