Question on the Comparison of a New, Quality Rag Joint to U-joint Coupler

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Dejure

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2025
Posts
60
Reaction score
60
Location
Eastern Washington
First Name
Kelly
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C15
Engine Size
350
A new question I haven't found a clear answer to, after reading a lot of posts across several sites:

Would I see significant gain by going with a u-joint coupler instead of a good quality rag joint.

Every post I read talks about a huge improvement after a coupler was replaced, BUT, except where there are angle issues, the posts state there was a huge improvement indicated to be because the replaced coupler was failing. Accordingly, even a new, cheap rag joint would result in improvement.

Thus my question. And I am even more interested in knowing how much of an improvement I'd see using a double U-joint coupler over a rag joint because I am going to be going over the entire front end (shocks, ball joints, idler. pitman, tie rod ends, all bushing, and a new Redhed gearbox) and want my truck to handle as tightly as my old 69 did decades ago (it was great after the changes noted).
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
6,622
Reaction score
11,284
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
A third thing to throw into the equation. GM made different steering couplers besides different sizes and diameters. The made 4 ply and 7 ply. 7 ply was tougher and more rigid,manual steering got 7 ply,Corvettes got 7 ply and close ratio boxes got 7 ply. Personally I'd put on a 7 ply and call it a day. The reason for the rubber rag joint is to isolate sound and vibration from traveling up the steering shaft.
 
Last edited:

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,363
Reaction score
8,486
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I noticed a difference when I did the Jeep Shaft Mod. Kind of like the difference of an auto trans and a manual trans. It "feels" more responsive.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
45,683
Posts
989,483
Members
38,788
Latest member
nathan27
Top