Steering Coupling Assembly (Rag Joint)

I am replacing the "Rag Joint". The Factory Service manual says to remove the steering shaft cover but does not say how. Any suggestions?


Thanks


Chris


'95 BRMW

You have to remove the intermediate shaft from the car, then separate the top and bottom. You may be able to just push the cover up the shaft to work on it. You need to drill out the rivets, and replace them with bolts.

If the rubber boot on the top is ripped, you probably need to replace the entire shaft.

Fred,

Thanks. This looks like it will require removing the windshield wash bottle and ABS unit and maybe more to gain access to the steering gear side of the drive shaft. The plastic shield will need to be twisted then pushed up as it wraps 3/4 around a steel tube that goed into the steering gear.

You should be able to get it out without removing the wash bottle and ABS unit. It takes some maneuvering to do so, and you may have to completely collapse it. The shield clips around the power steering line to hold it in place.

The intermediate shaft is usually difficult to collapse. Once you get it collapsed and both ends off, you will find that there is a way to get it out without removing the ABS and washer bottle.

Do not use a hammer to collapse the shaft, or you will damage the upper universal joint.