Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:39 pm

take the shaft out of the column and then pound on it.

Post by **FORDification** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:39 pm

You're right, the 4WD shaft isn't splined either, I was thinking about the later tilt-column pieces again...those ARE splined. My fault. However, I know that the 2WD shafts are NOT splined before swaging the flange on...at least they weren't on all the trucks I've parted out. Forget about trying to get the flange off the 2WD shaft without cutting the shaft. While you MIGHT be able to do it with a LOT of work, you haven't achieved anything useful.

It's hard to tell you what to do since I have no idea how long things need to be and how they need to line up. But you can simply put a Borgeson joint on the end of the 4WD shaft, similar to what the factory did and go from there.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 7:49 pm

i can get a 79 4wd straight nontilt column. and my 4wd column is splined. i am pretty sure about that.

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 8:22 pm

Send me a pm with some more info.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 4:44 pm

as soon a si go get it i will. i hid it out at the junkyard so no one would trash it or take it.

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:25 pm

Ok well I found the solution to my problem. I went back to the junkyard and picked up the 72 2wd PS column. I then brought it back home and was indeed able to remove the rag joint flange. It is a pressed on fit no bolts holding it on. So the problem is solved and it only cost 20 bucks and now I can use a newer joint to attach the column to the rack and pinion. Here are some pics. Sorry they are kinda crappy, but gives you an idea.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:56 pm

CO684X4 wrote:Ok well I found the solution to my problem. I went back to the junkyard and picked up the 72 2wd non PS column. I then brought it back home and was indeed able to remove the rag joint flange. It is a pressed on fit no bolts holding it on. So for future refrence a 69 column 2wd column doesnt have the removable rag joint flange. A 72 2wd does have a removable rag joint flange. So the problem is solved and it only cost 20 bucks and now I can use a newer joint to attach the column to the rack and pinion. Now I don't know what year ford changed to the removable style of flange. Here are some pics. Sorry they are kinda crappy, but gives you an idea.

snip

I don't think that is a 2WD column, I think that is a later 4X4 column or bigger truck shaft that somebody put a tilt column flange on (it is easy and works fine). I have never seen a 2 WD column with splines on the end like that except for a tilt and the books do not list any like that. The parts books are very specific and the 2WD shaft is listed as a shaft w/flange. The 72 2Wd column I have here definitly does not have a splined end, it had the oven braised flange (I just went out an double checked so I would not be posting air out my backside! LOL). Hawkrod

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:12 pm

Actually it is indeed a 2wd coloumn. I just finished taking my 69 2wd column a part. For the fun of it I tried to take the flange off. Guess what? It does indeed have a removeable flange. It took a press to get it off. It has a splined shaft just like the 72 shaft. So I would say the books are wrong. I would say it's a safe bet that all 67-72 2wd shafts have removeable flanges. Call me crazy if you want.

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:22 pm

There is a difference in main shafts from the 2wd and the 4x4's with the bolt on flange. I have a 4x4 shaft sitting in my 68 4x4. I will take a picture of the ends and you can see that it is indeed a 2wd shaft.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:15 pm

wow all o fthis is real news to me. i was not sure. but now it seems confirmed. take a photo of the flanges themselves. both of them that you got off. the difference in shaft length could be the manual vs power steering length.

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:25 pm

Both the PS and non PS flanges are the same. What this means is that people might beable to upgrade from the old rag joint to a modern style ujoint. There are many different styles and lengths out there.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:27 pm

thats fine go ahead and post a pic of the flanges anyway. i want to see somethign that i cant explain to myself even.

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:28 pm

K give me few minutes

CO684X4 · Post by **CO684X4** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:01 pm

Ok here are some pics. I messed up the 69 flange pretty good trying to get it off. Used an air hammer at first then used the press. The first pic is of a 4x4 main shaft with the bolt on flange(note the groove in the middle of the splines, only the 4x4's look like this). The other two are of the 2wd flages removed. Note that the 2wd flanges look nothing like the 4x4 ones.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:20 pm

whats the back side look like of the good one?

The FORDification.com Forums

Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)

Re: Steering/Rag Joint question(updated problem solved)