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1961 thunderbird steering rag joint3/20/2024 Yeah, well at 70 I struggle to bench press a bowl of custard. If you're going to lower it from the top, you'll need another method (that others have described here on this website). Just a warning - Don't try it this way if you're going to have a problem bench pressing 40 pounds straight up and holding it there for a minute!!! I'm not abnormally strong, but I think I've got "working on car" strength, and any other method was going to get in the way. ![]() After it got in, the subframe lip helped me hold it in place while I installed one of the three bolts loosely. This coupler (rag joint) is required to connect the steering column to the steering box. Classic Industries offers a wide selection of Steering Components for your 1961 Ford Thunderbird. It's a bear of a job, but only because the thing's so heavy and bulky - I lifted it in by hand while someone held the wheel straight so the splines aligned (mine's a '63 with a rag joint). Reviews 1959-82 AMC, GM, Ford Steering Coupler 3/4' Shaft 36 Spline 3-5/32' Diameter Various Models OER reproduction of the original steering coupling joint designed for use on various GM and Ford models. 1961 Ford Thunderbird Parts - Couplers & Rag Joints. I had to remove the pitman arm, but I was able to clear the exhaust (but most exhaust systems have been replaced by now, so yours might be different). To take it out from the bottom, I presume I need to remove the exhaust on the RHS, the pitman arm, the fuel lines, and still maybe jack up the engine. I need to replace the entire joint with one that cannot come apart. My joint disintegrated and darn lucky I was moving it out of the shop and not on the road at any speed, I lost all steering never had that happen. I have already removed the stiffener from the frame, the pitman arm from the bottom of the steering box, the three bolts holding the box to the frame. Need some help here, I have been trying to find a rag joint for the 62 but all I find is a chunk of mud flap called a coupler repair. The question is, do I remove the box from the top or bottom< To remocv it from the top I presume I will have to remove the power brake booster (I have already removed the master cylinder), remove the bolts holding the engine to the motor mount, then jack up the engine to allow sufficient clearance to get it out. It has the allen screw and collar which I have been able to removeafter a lot of effort. I have been struggling to remove the steering box from my January 62 build coupe. The bump stop installed onto the firewall is also something that was used in 62, it was to address a issue of to much movement from the engine. ![]() The allen setscrew is installed into a collar which is installed overtop of the splined coupler where the shaft is pined into the coupler with a split roll pin, loosen the setscrew move the coupler and drive the roll pin out then you should be able to remove the box. I spent several days on this but once I got the right joint the repair took about an hour and a half.The 62 did not have a rag joint it came in in late 62 /63 production. The 201 slid over the shaft fairly easily. Then bolt the intermediate shaft to the rag joint, and make sure to tighten the intermediate shaft slide pin/bolt. Re-install the intermediate shaft, then slide the new rag joint over the input shaft (it will only go on one way) and tighten the pinch bolt (it may be easier to install the rag joint on the input shaft first as the intermediate shaft tends to get in the way). The way the replacement joint bolts to the shaft is different than the factory, and depending on how you decide to mount it you may have to cut the bracket from the intermediate shaft and remove the pressed in pins, for this is where the new bolts go through the shaft. ![]() Then from under the dash, remove the firewall boot, and remove the nut from the pin/bolt and slide the bolt (it won’t come out) and remove the intermediate shaft from the car. To replace the rag joint, you have to remove the bolts that hold it to the intermediate shaft from the column and then remove the pinch bolt from the rag joint. Classic Industries offers 1978 Ford Thunderbird Steering Components. Turns out my car must have a Saginaw box with the 13/16 36 spline input shaft instead of the 3/4 36 spline that all the parts stores list for the car. Long story short, I tried a Lares 202 and 203 (which look the same to me) and neither would fit over the input shaft on the steering box. Shop 1961 Ford Thunderbird Steering Parts and get Free Shipping on orders over 149 at Speedway Motors.
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