Steering rag joint and coupler

[65-Newport]

Hey guys,

I have a 65 Newport. I put on some Boyd rally 55 wheels with some 205 75 15. Been getting bad brake shudder since I put the wheels on. The steering wheel shakes pretty bad when I brake. Put the stock wheels back on just in the front and it reduced it quite bit. Could it be the new tires essentuated the shaking? When I shake the steering column there is a lot of play coming from the coupler. Is there a replacement or rebuild kit that fits? I going to replace the rag joint with a Lares 220. Going to replace all the brakes and drums, then eventually a front end suspension rebuild. But I thought I would start with the rag joint and coupler to see if it resolves the issue. Any thoughts please?

 

[65CopCar]

Hey guys,

I have a 65 Newport. I put on some Boyd rally 55 wheels with some 205 75 15. Been getting bad brake shudder since I put the wheels on. The steering wheel shakes pretty bad when I brake. Put the stock wheels back on just in the front and it reduced it quite bit. Could it be the new tires essentuated the shaking? When I shake the steering column there is a lot of play coming from the coupler. Is there a replacement or rebuild kit that fits? I going to replace the rag joint with a Lares 220. Going to replace all the brakes and drums, then eventually a front end suspension rebuild. But I thought I would start with the rag joint and coupler to see if it resolves the issue. Any thoughts please?

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That is someone's bad idea. This is what it is supposed to be. Also missing the cover.

1965-73 Plymouth Dodge Chrysler NOS MoPar Steering Rag Joint Coupler | eBay

 

[65CopCar]

Picture of a cover. Some had screws instead of the spring. Not sure when a change was made.

 

[65CopCar]

Acytally killer price on rock auto

1965 PLYMOUTH FURY 3.7L 225cid L6 Steering Coupler | Shop Now at RockAuto

 

[65-Newport]

I ordered the Lares 220 from Rock Auto. Is the Lares 217 the cover?

The play I felt was in the coupler ( orange part) is there a replacement. I see rebuild kits. But do they work?

 

[Big_John]

Acytally killer price on rock auto

1965 PLYMOUTH FURY 3.7L 225cid L6 Steering Coupler | Shop Now at RockAuto

I'd go with the new Lares replacement over NOS. Old rubber is old rubber.

 

[Big_John]

The play I felt was in the coupler ( orange part) is there a replacement. I see rebuild kits. But do they work?

Easy to rebuild. Steering Coupler Rebuild "How To"

 

[65-Newport]

Thanks Big John!

 

[65CopCar]

I ordered the Lares 220 from Rock Auto. Is the Lares 217 the cover?

The play I felt was in the coupler ( orange part) is there a replacement. I see rebuild kits. But do they work?

The kits that are available are not for our 65 C bodies. The rubber is different for sure. I don't know if the rest of the components are the same or not. Inspect carefully before you use them to make sure they fit. Alot of the aftermarket kits got poor reviews. NOS ones were available for a long time for cheap but they seemed to have dried up.

 

[65CopCar]

Is the Lares 217 the cover?

No. The cover is metal. Will need to find a good used one.

 

[cudamark]

Check that lower pot coupler for play. It looks suspect to me. Shaking while braking is usually a brake drum/rotor with too much run-out. It can be caused by them being warped, or even a bent or improperly installed wheel putting a strain on it.

 

[65-Newport]

Check that lower pot coupler for play. It looks suspect to me. Shaking while braking is usually a brake drum/rotor with too much run-out. It can be caused by them being warped, or even a bent or improperly installed wheel putting a strain on it.

Thanks Cudamark. I rebuilt the coupler and changed the rag joint. It's much tighter now. (Now steering won't return to center) Next is to replace brake shoes and drums. Waiting on Craig to get back.