Leaking rag joint

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idahovette

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Is that conversion where the rag joint goes away completely?
Yes, no more rag joint and rebuilt boxes are usually not a good bet. Like @Grit dog says if it doesn't feel loose, just seal it. Not sure about the jeep years that work........some body HELP?????
 

Sad Sack

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What does that mean? lol
@Edelbrock stated -
ATP205 is a system leak sealer that can be used in power steering, oil and transmission fluid systems. Reputation is pretty good. May not help in your case since rag joint has already been compromised and needs replaced anyway. But may help with PS leak till you get it fixed.
 

Sad Sack

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Worth a shot!

it is. worst case you still have to replace the seal and/or box in the near future. mine was leaking decent for a couple years. used some of that stuff last fall and it has been dry ever since. someday i am sure it will start leaking again and I'll have to replace something. to me it was worth a couple bucks to see if i could delay the more expensive repair til later.

same with my head gasket. I was burning some coolant on startup, making some white smoke. figured why not try something. worst case is i have to do the major repair that it really needs, and i was pretty sure it wasn't going to destroy some other component. best case is it holds until some other component gives out. some bars HG-1 in the coolant and I am back to just the blue smoke on startup for the last 6 months. I did have to clean out the expansion tank after a while when all the extra stuff accumulated in there. but otherwise I've at least delayed a major repair, but maybe even prevented it until something else major goes wrong with the engine that requires major action.
 

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it is. worst case you still have to replace the seal and/or box in the near future. mine was leaking decent for a couple years. used some of that stuff last fall and it has been dry ever since. someday i am sure it will start leaking again and I'll have to replace something. to me it was worth a couple bucks to see if i could delay the more expensive repair til later.

same with my head gasket. I was burning some coolant on startup, making some white smoke. figured why not try something. worst case is i have to do the major repair that it really needs, and i was pretty sure it wasn't going to destroy some other component. best case is it holds until some other component gives out. some bars HG-1 in the coolant and I am back to just the blue smoke on startup for the last 6 months. I did have to clean out the expansion tank after a while when all the extra stuff accumulated in there. but otherwise I've at least delayed a major repair, but maybe even prevented it until something else major goes wrong with the engine that requires major action.
So conveniently I actually had some AT-205 in my garage that I forgot I bought to spray on my suspension parts. Put some in the power steering reservoir with more fluid, which was bone dry again, and sprayed my suspension parts. The crazy squeaking I had is gone and will see if the leak also goes away. Thanks for the help! Seems like everything has leaks…transmission pan and rear differential. This is never ending :)
 

bucket

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Yes, no more rag joint and rebuilt boxes are usually not a good bet. Like @Grit dog says if it doesn't feel loose, just seal it. Not sure about the jeep years that work........some body HELP?????

Mass rebuilt boxes: no good. Professionally rebuilt boxes: very good.

It's worth mentioning that sometimes the input shaft seal will leak because there is pitting on the surface of the shaft.
 

tophat36

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Mass rebuilt boxes: no good. Professionally rebuilt boxes: very good.

It's worth mentioning that sometimes the input shaft seal will leak because there is pitting on the surface of the shaft.
What about rebuilding it yourself, is that super hard? If there is pitting can it be smoothed out or does it need to be replaced?
 

bucket

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What about rebuilding it yourself, is that super hard? If there is pitting can it be smoothed out or does it need to be replaced?

I've never rebuilt one, but I know it's tedious. There's a guy in Columbus OH that I've had rebuild them in the past. Someone here did a thread on rebuilding one a while back. It might have been @yevgenievich
 

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Yes, no more rag joint and rebuilt boxes are usually not a good bet. Like @Grit dog says if it doesn't feel loose, just seal it. Not sure about the jeep years that work........some body HELP?????
Idk either but it’s a common part.
Assuming that oil soaked rag joint has been like that for a minute (figuratively), replace it. It’s now degrading quickly or already has.
 

yevgenievich

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There are write ups online to follow for rebuild. Rotational torque measurement on input shaft while adjusting preload should be done with the box on the bench.
 

ChuckN

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I took a chance on a standard rebuilt one from O’Reilleys. It’s been fine. But I’ve heard some people have problems with them. The only issue with mine is that the steering feels a tad stiff, but as it’s been breaking in that feeling has lessened.
 

chevdude

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Had a muffler bearing go bad. Could not find a replacement anywhere.
 

Sad Sack

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Had a muffler bearing go bad. Could not find a replacement anywhere.
I had no problem:


Throw in one of these whiles "you're in there":

 

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I installed a no leak rag joint :anitoof:
 
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