I didn't see this how to on here. I know it's on other sites, but I might as well make one for here.


When the rag joint goes bad, it can give a lot of slop in the steering. This mod fixes that and upgrades to something that should last much longer.


This is what you need to buy: Flaming River U-joint, Part # FR1746DD





There are other, cheaper kinds available. I chose to go with the Flaming River one. It's very high quality.

So first thing you need to do is remove the portion of the steering shaft that attaches to the steering box. There is one 11 mm bolt on the rag joint that you have to loosen. Then you should be able to slide the rag joint and shaft off the steering box. I had to use a pry bar to get it to come off the steering box. Once it's off the box, you can slide the shaft towards the front of the vehicle and it'll come out.


Next you need to remove the old rag joint. I cut one side, and couldn't get it off. So I chose to cut both sides and then it came off very easy.









Then you have to cut off the flared part of the shaft





Then put the u-joint on and tighten the set screws to mark where they are.





Then drill some recesses for the set screws using the marks on the shaft








Now you're ready to install the u-joint on the shaft. I used red Loctite on the set screws and jam nuts





Finally install it back on the vehicle, I used blue Loctite for the set screw on the steering box. Be sure to orientate it with the set screw on the flat part of the splined steering shaft.

 

Nice job! Great write up! If the vehicle has tilt steering wheel, don't forget to check the upper U joint as well, (#25 in the image below). When they wear, they can create just as much, if not more slop, than the rag joint. Very expensive part... had to check countless vehicles in the boneyard before I found a good one.

 

Thanks for posting this. I just did this on my 2000. I used a $30 joint from ebay, but same concept.

 

Glad it helped!

 

That is a good alternative. I used the Jeep Cherokee shaft that has U-Joints for the Rag and Tulip Joints in my 89 GMC S15 Jimmy.

 

Thank you Jamaroon for this post. I just did this mod yesterday and this post along with a youtube video I had found were a huge help. The difference I can feel in the steering is night and day.

If I can add a helpful tip, It would have made it easier if I had cleaned the splined shaft on the steering box, once the rag joint was off, with a wire brush and some solvent. I had a difficult time sliding the new u-joint back on to the steering box. It looks like the old rag joint was only splined 3/4 of the way around. So there was a fair amount of crud that had developed there.

Also, before putting lock-tite on the set screw on the steering box end, I went for a short test drive. I was one spline off when I reassembled so my steering wheel was a bit off from 12:00. It wasn't very hard to remove the u-joint and make the adjustment since it was just put on. After going for another test drive, the steering wheel is right on the money at 12:00 and I put lock-tite on the set screw at the steering box.

The truck has never driven better!! Thanks again for your helpful post!

__________________________
1999 Blazer LT 4dr, Auto-4WD, AT
Bilstein 4600 Series Shocks
Axle: 3.42:1 w/ Eaton Detroit Truetrac Locker
Tires: 235/75-15 Michelin LTX A/T2
Gibson cat-back exhaust
K&N CAI
Hypertech Power Programmer Tune

 

For those looking at a less expensive joint you need a 1"-DD X 3/4"-30 Steering U-Joint
They range in price from $30-$200. Flaming River FR1746DD is in the middle.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...​​

 

​​​​​​​Thank you for this link

Great write up. Thank you
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I rebuilt the old one. Cost me a whopping $8 and 4 bolts. Good for another 30 years.