steering rag coupler

[jeepstar]

79 CJ 7, looking to fix the spongey steering.
i thought it may be the rag joint/rag coupler whatever its called.

looked it up in Rock auto but couldnt find the replacement part. closest i could find was this from doorman:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/dorman,31002,steering+coupler,7418

anybody have experience with this? im into Early CJ5, so this new technology and CJ7s in general are a learning curve. i could rebuild the Ross system in my sleep by now, but this power steering stuff is all new to me.

thanks in advance.

 

[53A1]

A generic kit from your local autozone might be good enough.

 

[Rich M.]

Manual or power? Personally I'd verify the spline counts and go with something like this, ditching the rag joint.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rto-rt21010?seid=srese1&ppckw=pmax-jeep&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20353304088&gclid=CjwKCAjwqubPBhBOEiwAzgZX2r6umKAeXLCu6Nhz3csfa5qVcHihBppDGUJrqwUfjNMFQixCGuV8nRoCTdMQAvD_BwE

 

[timgr]

Dunno about '79, but the Intermediates have a bell coupler, not a rag joint.
The trucks and wagons have a rag joint.
Parts book says CJs are all the same '74-80.
Different between manual and power.

The parts book will help you.
Cheap on digital media at RockAuto.
Group 10.
LPS 998710
WPS 8121299

https://www.quadratec.com/products/56113_51.htm

I hear the aftermarket version of this is not the best quality part.
Just rumor, no experience.
My Jeep has a replacement shaft/u-joint from Borgeson.

 

[FinoCJ]

I am another that ditch all rag joints at the steering box and use a u-joint. Now it's been years since I had my 84 cj7, but I recall it had the bell coupler and no rag joint with OEM manual box.

 

[sterlclan]

just bought a replacement for pete from the jungle site with u joints on each end no rag no funky coupler

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCLZKQJ9?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[garage gnome]

My CJ7 doesn't have a rag joint.

 

[colojeepguy]

Another option

https://www.borgeson.com/Vibration-Reducers/

 

[nickmil]

Get rid of the rag joint which is prone to failure and put in a u-joint.

 

[bigjohn]

Another vote for u joint. I’ve used the borgeson on a few including my current 75. But there’s lots of options these days.

 

[Keys5a]

Either a u-joint or a bell coupler is preferred. The bell coupler makes the connection of the intermediate shaft to the steering box. The u-joint is commonly used at the base of the steering column, in the engine compartment low on the firewall.