I've broken part of my steering and am not even sure what to call it and where to get it. Backing out of my driveway, my (?) steering shaft coupling broke. At least thats what I think it is. The part connecting to my gearbox. I am uploading pics to my profile momentarily, as my description is poor. Does anyone have an idea where I can get this part for my not-so-common 1969 Buick Lesabre?
Another dead link there bud. Is it the round, black rubber joint between the steering column shaft and the gearbox? If so, its called a rag joint. I have a spare one in good shape for you
That's because the "guys" there aren't aware that "rag joint" is slang/old school terminology for a steering coupler. Devon
I find myself using terms that are generally considered obsolete nowadays! I get confused looks from the younger generation. Just went down into the "parts room" :grin: Is this it? The 12 point bolt goes on the gearbox and the two nuts attach to the steering column. This one is off an A body. I boubt its different for a LeSabre.
Thats what I need! Not sure if mine looks exactly like that, as I have yet to remove it from the car. But thats it.
Nah, my point was the folks at the parts stores should know the terms, but don't. For shame! Hell, I still own a slide rule, and still remember how to do a bit of arithmetic with it thanks to my dad. Devon
Wow. Much appreciated. The cheapest I found was $70 in a 2 minute cursory search (which failed to produce anything for my car anyways). Should that be what I need I will definitely contact you. Now I gotta start takin' things apart and lookin' at 'em! Once again, thank you!
No problem. Put your name in your posts. We're an informal group. We're all on a first name basis around here. :TU: A slide rule:laugh: ...thats funny Devon. My uncle was an old slide rule engineer. No pocket protector though! Its amazing what those guys designed without all the technology we have today
True. I'm Derrik, as should be visible now. And my apologies Devon, I had a comment about how I was only sure that a slide rule had nothing to do with my steering, but got distracted by the dishes that were left for me to do. :laugh:
I hated a slide rule, thank God for the calculator. You can confuse the guys at the auto parts stores with general terms for stuff. hogs head, rear diff,slip and slide (Power glide)positract,limited slip,three on the tree,bias ply,wide whites,recaps.:laugh: :laugh: :bglasses:
i still have my slide rule from from 1st year university, many years ago. in order to use the parts slang, u have to find an older geezer in the parts dept.
An update: turns out more than quick look under the hood (the first was done in 30 seconds in the dark immediately after hearing a snapping sound) reveals broken bolts into the power steering gear box. The rag joint may or may not be good. A few months ago, a new gearbox was put in using the old bolts. With the Lesabre, the gearbox originally had 3 bolts to attach it to the frame. The old gearbox was exchanged for a new one, and the new one only had 2 spots to bolt to. Upon recommendation of a friend, the gearbox was installed anyways. Now we're going to pull the gearbox off, remove the broken bolt, then weld a small bracket on the frame to allow us to add a third bolt. As is, I do not see a problem with the rag joint, except the rubber is all bent up and now needs replaced. Until I get the box off, I won't know. I'm fortunate that the bolts snapped when backing out of the driveway, and not going 50 down the road!
