'96 LT1 rag joint (steering coupler)

[ASJT3]

Fellas,

I need to replace the rag joint on my '96 LT1. I've done this on my '87 Caprice 307 with no problem. However, the newer vehicle has airbags, and I see on the steering shaft plastic housing a warning sticker that says rotating the steering wheel without the shaft attached could damage the airbag system.

Traditionally, to remove the lower steering shaft I partially collapse (telescope) it towards the driver and pull it out (which I've heard is also bad for the airbag system). Any special things I need to do for a vehicle with airbags (i.e. unplug sensors, etc.)?

Thanks,

Alex

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Fellas,

I need to replace the rag joint on my '96 LT1. I've done this on my '87 Caprice 307 with no problem. However, the newer vehicle has airbags, and I see on the steering shaft plastic housing a warning sticker that says rotating the steering wheel without the shaft attached could damage the airbag system.

Traditionally, to remove the lower steering shaft I partially collapse (telescope) it towards the driver and pull it out (which I've heard is also bad for the airbag system). Any special things I need to do for a vehicle with airbags (i.e. unplug sensors, etc.)?

Thanks,
Alex

I never replaced the rag joint . the small wires in the steering for the air bag activation will break if you rotate the steering wheel. lock the steering wheel in place, then remove the shaft. the shaft ISS does not have wires on it . the steering wheel section does. also remove battery ground and turn key on to discharge the 12 volt system so no bags blow.

with the wheel locked you should get it back as it was.

why is it that this joint is bad ?

my idle arm caused me problems from day one. replaced with the moog heavy duty idler arm just for this issue. the spec is 1/8inch verticle motion on the arm , when pushing on the tire .

I now have kumho tires on her and the handling is better than new these tires hold the road and give good control on poorly paved grooved roads.


I have on other vehicles greased the ISS to stop an annoying pop in the steering due to poor sloppy fit on the splines. also removal of these to replace steering box seals.

[ASJT3]

Originally Posted by j cAT

I never replaced the rag joint . the small wires in the steering for the air bag activation will break if you rotate the steering wheel. lock the steering wheel in place, then remove the shaft. the shaft ISS does not have wires on it . the steering wheel section does. also remove battery ground and turn key on to discharge the 12 volt system so no bags blow.

with the wheel locked you should get it back as it was.

why is it that this joint is bad ?

my idle arm caused me problems from day one. replaced with the moog heavy duty idler arm just for this issue. the spec is 1/8inch verticle motion on the arm , when pushing on the tire .

I now have kumho tires on her and the handling is better than new these tires hold the road and give good control on poorly paved grooved roads.


I have on other vehicles greased the ISS to stop an annoying pop in the steering due to poor sloppy fit on the splines. also removal of these to replace steering box seals.

Thanks for the reply j_cAT. The joint is bad because of age and mileage? (211,000 mi). I replaced the rag joint on my '87 (180,000 mi) and it was very worn out. The new joint definitely tightened up the steering and removed some slop.

I'll remember to grease those splines, I've experienced that annoying pop as well.

The idler arm seems pretty tight on this car. On my '87, the idler did have some play so I replaced it, but that didn't make as much of a difference in the steering slop as the subsequent rag joint replacement.

[j cAT]

with 60,000mi. on my 1996 my steering is pretty tight. still I had to replace the idler and 2 tie rods even with greasing it twice a yr.

also the front wheel bearings need greasing @ 30,ooomi. and then properly adjusting the lock nut.

handles better now than new.