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87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
#578159 August 08th 2012 6:32 pm
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Bandvan Offline OP
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So in an effort to tighten up the front end of the van Ive had the ENTIRE thing gone through. While this solved a majority of the steering play, it still has more then I would like in a truck running 33s at 65.

Most of the play is in the rag joint, and while my shop "rebuilt" it a month or so ago with a universal kit and some of the parts n the old one, it still has a fair amount of play. They said it would be too hard to get the actual Ford part in the time frame i needed it. Now Im fed up and I just want a 100% new one.

Is there a parts supplier that carries the specific rag joint (the whole assembly) for my van? Is there a link? I need a direction to look in, my past searches have turned up nothing. I couldn't find one from LMC but maybe I was looking in the wrong place.

I had my Steering box checked and its in pretty good shape, and I run a Gabriel stabilizer. I can defiantly see that 90% of the remaining play is in the cobbed together rag joint.

Last edited by Bandvan; August 08th 2012 6:34 pm.

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"Trendkiller" 1995 Chevy G20
"Southern Gentleman " 1978 Ford E150 Custom

Matt

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Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #578192 August 08th 2012 10:05 pm
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enthusiast
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The Mustang restoration parts catalogs have polyurethane rag joints.
I put one on my 77 ford years ago.
Im gonna put one on my 84 .

You have to grind out the old studs and replace them with supplied bolts.
I have them on both my 70 torinos. You have to run the ground wire across the rag joint.

I put them on mustangs all the time.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto...ng_gear_with_flaming_river/photo_18.html

Last edited by VanLoon; August 08th 2012 10:08 pm.

84 E-150
91 Club Wagon
70 Torino convertible
70 Cobra Torino

Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #578274 August 09th 2012 12:17 pm
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Maniac
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Thanks for that link. I, too, have rebuilt the entire front suspension on my 89 Ford E-150 and there is still a lot of slop in the middle of the steering range. The only thing I haven't replaced is that steering coupler. I will check it out and see if it needs replacing.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #578310 August 09th 2012 4:05 pm
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Bandvan Offline OP
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Darn, I figured when I saw Reed posted that I was gonna have all my questions answered, being the fount of Ford knowledge that you are dude. These 3rd gens are great vans, but Ive yet to drive one that has tight steering.

I like the idea of the poly bushing A LOT. Hopefully I can get a whole assembly (female coupler to female coupler with all new studs ect) If not Ill try doing the rebuild. Thanks for the link.

Are all rag joints universal fit or maker specific?


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"Trendkiller" 1995 Chevy G20
"Southern Gentleman " 1978 Ford E150 Custom

Matt

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The Vanished of MA/VT
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #578342 August 09th 2012 6:53 pm
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Festerus Vannimus
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I was not aware that a car rag joint would fit a van. . . Interesting ! Thanks for the info from me too!


My van : 1989 Ford E-150 Econoline, currently named “WOLF-DEN II”


Founder & President of Sooner or Later United Truckers and PROUD TO BE A S.L.U.T. ! !
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #578428 August 10th 2012 11:32 am
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My old 84 E-150 actually had good tight steering. Except that was the van that I repaired after my brother drove it into the side of a bus. I had to cut the front frame rails off and re-weld them on, and I don't think I had them aligned quite right. Still, the steering was tight, but it could have just been binding.


Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #579038 August 14th 2012 5:57 pm
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I have looked around for new rag joints. Only place I could find one was at Jegs. It is a Dorman replacement ruber unit. See HERE

EDIT: I found it for a few bucks cheaper on Rockauto. I had to put in the Dorman part number to find it. 31008 is the part number.

Last edited by Reed; August 14th 2012 6:00 pm.

Windows- they're what make a van worth owning!
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #579046 August 14th 2012 7:05 pm
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THANK YOU REED!


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"Trendkiller" 1995 Chevy G20
"Southern Gentleman " 1978 Ford E150 Custom

Matt

8-0-2%

The Vanished of MA/VT
Re: 87 E250 Rag Joint/Steering Coupler
Bandvan #579056 August 14th 2012 8:39 pm
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pooh-bah
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On my Jeep, I replaced it with a U-joint.

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