The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk HELP, my steering wheel won't steer my truck!

Ok, so I got my truck started (61 apache), and was all set to get in and move her. I even had to cut down saplings that had grown up around her!

Saplings Cut, motor and trans and brakes all set to go, I was going to drive her out from under that old tree on the farm, and wouldn't you know it? the steering wheel keeps going and going and going.....around...without turning the wheels....

OK, so pop the hood, and there is come crazy looking coupling half way down the steering column under the hood, and it looks all catty-wampus.

can't find the part in my LMC truck parts book, and I don'thave my manuals yet...
so can someone help me with a diagram of the part that is broken?

can someone point me in the right direction to fix this coupling?

thanks

Kevin

See page 50 for the Rag Joint

nope, that is not it,
it is a joint that involves a bearing and a big washer, etc etc.
I will take a pic of it and post it here for you folks.
thanks
kevin

I wish I could help you. But arn't you glad it did not happen to you goin down the highway???"?

come on, nobody knows?
I thought you guys knew these trucks?
I guess I will have to go and ask the DEALER....now come on guys, don't make me do that!
I'll get a pic posted tomorrow.
thanks
Kevin

steering column is connected to the rag-joint which is connected to the steering box. Hit up your local NAPA for a rag joint

Sounds like the rag joint to me, too.

ok, how many times are you going to say rag joint?
I know it is not the rag joint, I said that already...

here is a pic of the NON RAG JOINT part of my steering column....

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/mgcarma/61%20Apache/?action=view&current=DSCN5517.jpg

This metal and ball bearing part of the steering column has come apart, and IS NOT the rag joint...

can anyone help me out with identifying this joint and where I can get parts to fix it?

thanks

I see what you're talking about now. So far, I haven't found anything other than a universal rag joint (Ha I said it! just kidding). Might be time to check the salvage yards.

Performs same task as a Rag Joint, also called a steering coupler.

Pull the bolts out, and you can replace with a rag joint.

try this

Checking Advance Auto on the net they show $29 for a steering coupler for a 1961 chevrolet C10

Sorry Scott but you are wrong, that does NOT replace the rag joint. There is a rag joint && that odd ball joint up. They used simslar ones on GM cars from the mid 80's back & as we both can tell some of the trucks also. You can't see his rag joint because it's at his steering box. Looks similar to what was on my 68 Chevy truck.
Can you Pull the joint & shaft completely off of the column & steering box && take pictures of the complete shaft w/joints?? PLUS a picture of what it looks like were it attaches at the column. That way we all know what your talking about & what everything looks like.
Kevin, if you have a boneyard that has some mid 80's down GM cars & trucks you should be able to find a used one. Personally I have never seen one fail before, so yours is a 1st for me.

Kevin, Check your PM's....Joe

I will try to get some better pics for you folks.
Zookeeper, I will try the local junkyards and see what I can come up with.
thanks
Kevin

Kevin, I'm sure you have checked the clamp at the bottom for tightness and if the splines in the joint and on the shaft are good. There is a pin that runs through the dogs(bearings) that also runs through the steering shaft. I have never seen one that sheared but yours must have. You will need to pull it apart and the bearings will slip right off the pin but you need to support the steering shaft and drive the pin, or what's left of it, out of the shaft. I think the pin is a standard size like 3/8 or 7/16 but don't know if still available. I'm sure they are hardened steel so if you have to make a replacement yourself be sure to use a grade 8 bolt with a smooth area long enough to cut your pin from. A high speed cut-off wheel will cut grade 8 where a hacksaw won't. Good luck.

It looks to me that the coupler is out of a later model truck, perhaps 70's up. Does it have the original column? Does it have a power steering gear box? If so, it has been converted and stock parts are no longer applicable.
Fred

The chassis of the truck is a 1965 with the long rear trailing arm suspension.
The column looks to be original, there is no power steering, and it stillhas the three speed shifting linkage on the column.
hmm...perhaps I should be taking some mor epics so you guys can get a better look.
Ice storm today and tomorrow, so stay tuned for more pics.
cheers
Kevin

Here's what I have on my 68 Chevy Truck..
[IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/69/69/4/97/22/2791497220102070401VtEpub_th.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/60/660/7/2/19/2756702190102070401lELKOa_th.jpg[/IMG]
This column is out of a late 70's early 80's truck.
and YES I do know the nut is NOT on that bolt.

Here's 3 pics of the complete shaft but out of a GM Car.
[IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/68/68/2/72/34/2621272340102070401PaPHEm_th.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/24/665/1/24/79/2453124790102070401bGYzez_th.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/60/660/2/17/4/2809217040102070401HvShmf_th.jpg[/IMG]

Only by taking yours apart will you be able to tell IF you can use something different OR modify a later model part to work. But regardless it can be done....Joe

JOE!
HOT DOG! you GOT IT!

You have restored my faith in the stove bolters!
This obviously shows that my steering column has a later sixties steering column in it...well, at least the lower portion of it.

When the weather clears up, I will take some more pics for you, perhaps we can figure out together whether mine is completely junk or if it can be salvaged.

I would feel a heck of alot better if I could replace the whole lower unit...with either a new replacement, or a used part.

Do you think that this column coupler was a freak thing on my truck? It IS a 65 or 66 chassis (have not figured that one out 100%...and if you have a way of identifying the chassis...perhaps a chassis number somewhere?).....if it is something that was found on a 65 or 66 chassis, would one of the usual parts suppliers have it....am I just looking in the wrong catalog?

SO, THANKS a ton, I am not just a NOOB who just does not know how to identify parts!

If you do have a replacement part (just like the one on your 68), please let me know.
thanks
Kevin

GOOD JOB JOE!!!!!

OK, so after much research, I have decided that the joint that is in my truck is not a standard part to the truck.
I am not comfortable with a non standard part that has been "cobbled together", and is questionable at best (duh, it came apart!)...
SO, what I am going to do is to take out the broken non standard steering column part you see in my picture, and replace it with the proper part.
The shaft that goes from the steering box to the coupler just downstream of the shifting linkage.
If anyone has this part, please let me know as I want to return my stovebolt back to original.
I am going to post this to the "parts wanted" section.
thanks for all of your wisdom and advice, this has cleared up the problem!
Kevin

Don't throw the water out w/the baby just yet Kevin.
That odd ball joint very well might be stock for your truck, I can't tell you since I dont own the same truck as you. I would think someone on this site other then you owns a stock 61 Apache. Check the Gallery Pictures & if there is one email or pm them & ask if they could take a picture for you. If no one has one here ask over on Chevytalk.com.
The main difference I see is your's is backwards compared to mine. On yours the steering shaft w/the "T" comes off the column. On mine the cup is attached to the column and the shaft w/the "T" goes to the steering box. And mine uses a bolt to hold it into place.


[IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/69/69/4/20/71/2151420710102070401HdIrqS_th.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://thumb1.webshots.net/t/50/650/1/67/98/2497167980102070401eJJGQm_th.jpg[/IMG]
These above came off of a 79 Caddy which uses a splined shaft at the bottom of the column. Which may be what you have, but who knows. You'll know more once its taken apart....Joe

I will check the junkyards on monday and get back to you guys.
If I can find something that will work and be safe...I'm all over that.
cheers
K

Let's see a picture of the steering wheel. I think you have a 60's car steering set-up. Looks the same as my 63 Impala steering. On my 64 truck, the steering shaft was solid from the rag joint at the box to the steering wheel,
Scott

okay, went to the junkyard today and the only steering joints I can find have the rubber coupling end on one end, and the end that couples with the steering column near the firewall is a "D" shaped cross section. So, very close, but I need to find one like the one in the picture above that has a round end that is nearest the firewall.
I'll keep hunting.
cheers
Kevin

more pics of the coupler:
http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/mgcarma/61%20Apache/?action=view&current=DSCN5541.jpg

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/mgcarma/61%20Apache/?action=view&current=DSCN5540.jpg

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/mgcarma/61%20Apache/?action=view&current=DSCN5539.jpg

http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/mgcarma/61%20Apache/?action=view&current=DSCN5535.jpg

Now you really need to pull it off to see if you or someone can come up w/something you can use to replace what you have....Joe

Yep, I am going to do that, I did not have time the last time I was out at the truck.
RJ on the parts board apparently has one, I am going to keep my fingers crossed, he is sending me some pics to confirm it is the right one.
thanks
K

It looks like someone used the coupling from a 71-72 chevy. If I remember right it is a 36 spline and most any of the 69-72 trucks should work out ok. You may have to colapse the shaft if it is to long. will send you a couple of pics of this job.

Kevin,
if your steering column has a hazard light switch on it, it is a later model column, probably a '67-'72 as that is a popular swap.
The '65 had a hazard light switch under the dash somewhere.

Good luck...

-W

Woogeroo, that is the reverse netural saftey switch I believe. Even the the 68 had this switch but it was mounted much lower on the column.