Ground wire on 67 PS Rag Joint

[MyRed67]

  I have an early build (11 A 66) 67 Coupe, 327 W/N-40 Power Steering.  The original Rag Joint has a ground wire on it for the turn signals.  I have not found a repro like it any where.  I am attaching a picture of the wire with one end missing. It also had rubber "caps" on the 2 studs.  Has anyone out there seen this type of Rag Joint?  Also notice stamping on the Brass end terminal.  I have seen this type for earlier 60's full-size cars.  I am interested in restoring this Rag Joint, but want to do it correctly.  I can post more pics. if needed. Thanks for any input.   

[JohnZ]

Here's a similar rag joint from a '67 Corvette which shows the stamped copper ground strap most commonly seen on pre-'71 rag joints (when they went to the steel mesh element in the rag); also shows the rubber insulators on the safety studs. I've never seen a rag joint ground with a wire between the two ends as shown in your photo.

[MyRed67]

Thanks JohnZ,  I did a search for 67 Corvette Steering Rag Joint, and came up with Long Island Corvette - www.licorvette.com/steering__couplers_corvette.htm  - they have coupler Repair Kits with that Copper strap included.  They also have 1 coupler that looks to have the wire, but it has both Cast flanges.  And the upper flange is nothing like that on Camaro.  I could just remove the upper flange, and use the rest of the Rag Joint.

[MyRed67]

 Does anyone out there recognize any of these markings?   I'm hoping to verify that this is an original 67  Rag Joint.   Thanks for any help!

[rat pack]

I have a couple original 67 rag joints with the ground straps, and I think one of them has the wire like yours. I have seen that style before but it may have been aftermarket. Give me until later this afternoon and I will dig through them.............RatPack............

[MyRed67]

  I'm posting another pic. of the complete Rag Joint pieced back together.  I am thinking this either has to be an original, or one replaced many years ago.  1. because of all the casting markings,(I'm not seeing that on current repro's.)   2. because of the aged condition it was in when I took it off the car. 

[MyRed67]

  I just came across this picture of this Rag Joint  before  I took it apart.  I did however have the 2 rubber "caps" off when I took the pic., I do still have them.

[JohnZ]

Jim Shea, retired Saginaw Steering Gear engineer (who posts as "JimL82" at Team Camaro), has all of those drawings and can confirm whether it's correct or not.  If you post over there, he'll probably respond.

[MyRed67]

Thanks JohnZ, wish we luck!

[rat pack]

I have two of those rag joints with the wire like yours, and both came from 69's with power steering per the tags I attached to them when removed from the cars. I have two from 67's with manual steering and they have the stamped copper wire John shows above..............RatPack.......................

[My68SS]

Does anyone out there recognize any of these markings?   I'm hoping to verify that this is an original 67  Rag Joint.   Thanks for any help!

My dec '67 built '68 has the exact same markings on the bolts and flange except for the 'K7' [nothing on mine]


Here's pics of my wire. I can't see any markings on the terminal.

[MyRed67]

That is exactly what mine looks like.  Is this the original on your car?  Thanks for the reply My68SS !

[My68SS]

That is exactly what mine looks like.  Is this the original on your car?  Thanks for the reply My68SS !

Without a doubt. I've owned this car ever since it was just a 10 yo baby 

[MyRed67]

  My68SS, Thanks!  I bought my car for my sons 16 th. birthday in '86, from my brother who only rescued it from an orchard.  He watched it just sit there for about 3 years, he got it running and drove it home.  Then only kept it about 3 mos. 'til  I bought it for my son.  We worked on it,and drove it as we could 'til he lost interest,about 3 years.  Then I bought it back, and it just sat in the corner of the Garage until I retired 3 years ago.  Now it's time to get it "back on the road".   

[LB67RSCONVERT]

What is the solution to replacing the insulaters? They are really "chewed up" on my car, probably done on tear-down. I purchased a new after-market rag joint but no insulators came with it and I don't see a listing anywhere in after-market for them. What to do?