There's a joint in the lower end of my '65 Valiiant steering column that's shot. It isn't the spider type u-joint, but I don't remember the name for it. It has a crossbar in a rectangular "box."

Is there any way on Earth to find one of these?

The name of the part is "steering column coupler." Off the top of my head I don't recall who sells them, but they are out there. I think I remember someone advertising them in mopar action but I could be wrong.

There are coupler rebuild kits on Ebay or from any Mopar parts dealer. I just put one in my 1992 Dodge van ($15 from dealer) and it is exactly the same part as in my 60s Darts/Valiant.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

You talkin' about one of these?

www.borgeson.com

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Sounds more like this: http://www.jimsautoparts.com/images/Ste ... oupler.jpg

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

Nope.

Yup. It apparently has rubber inside it, and that rubber got oil or gas on it. Now it had a very rattle-bang racket when there are side thrusts on the wheels, specifically, on my neighbor's concrete drive (spread with a tamper instead of a screed.)

Thanks.

I've heard them called "rag" joints.

I believe the entire coupler is availible from the dealer as well as the rebuild kits.

Flaming river has u-joint replacments for these factory joints for both manual, power, and power to manual conversion applications. I used a flaming river shaft/joint kit on my car when going from power to manual.

The u-joints help take the slack out of the system thats inherent to the stock style joints, but downside is they are pricy.

Well, the picture came from Jim's Auto Parts. The entire assembly is available from them as well as parts to repair. There may be other sources as well. I don't know about the dealer; if it's available as a dealer item it would probably be cheaper. The Paddock has the rubber seal for the top of the can but that's about all.

A "rag joint" is a different animal that performs the same function.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I've seen u-joints with a rag and rubber spider. Thanks

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/p ... prd214.htm

Copy and pasted: This adapter is ideal for picking up header clearance by eliminating the old rag joint with your stock power box.

Don't look at those prices - summit has them for $40 cheaper.

Holy ____! $169????

But they have several for less than half that.

I wonder if anyone has ever tried a straight coupler with no u-joint on the '65 Valiant. Flame and Summit have them. $30 and $27.

$169 is retail, summit price is $129....

What do you mean straight coupler? I thought there had to be some sort of joint there because the box and steering colum are at. Otherwise, why would the factory go through the expense?

Please paste link to these straight couplers.

I beleive the OEM coupler is like the slip yoke on a driveshaft, it accounts for shaft length during chassis flex.
I don't see where the aftermarket joints have a provision to adjust for flex. This would put a strain on the steer box gears and/or steer column bearings.

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Slant Cecil

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetai ... toview=sku

http://www.flamingriver.com/index.cfm/p ... prd208.htm

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch ... 4294848488