1979 Lincoln Mark V - Steering Coupler (aka Rag Joint) Replacement

[NaturalTourist_1972]

Here is the steering coupler assembly ready with the new rag in place I basically stripped out all the hardware from the aftermarket unit I bought from Rock Auto, and just used the rubber, while installing back the original brackets. The car now steers as it should, without the two inch steering wheel play. The only thing now is the steering wheel is a bit crooked. I guess a wheel alignment is now called for.

 

[michaelt62]

Are you sure it wasn't off before? Did you make sure to mark the lower shaft orientation before removal? Drive the car to the nearest large parking lot where you can get up speed to around 40 mph and release the wheel and see if you car tracks straight. If so, (and you haven't noticed any uneven tire wear) you could adjust the steering wheel yourself without paying for an alignment. If the steering wheel is off center to the left, then you increase the length of the right side connecting rod and shorten the connecting rod on the left side by the EXACT same amount on each side.

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos

 

[NaturalTourist_1972]

Are you sure it wasn't off before? Did you make sure to mark the lower shaft orientation before removal? Drive the car to the nearest large parking lot where you can get up speed to around 40 mph and release the wheel and see if you car tracks straight. If so, (and you haven't noticed any uneven tire wear) you could adjust the steering wheel yourself without paying for an alignment. If the steering wheel is off center to the left, then you increase the length of the right side connecting rod and shorten the connecting rod on the left side by the EXACT same amount on each side.

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos

Thanks for that feedback @michaelt62
Perhaps the steering was always misaligned but was never noticeable due to the deterioration of the steering coupler, making the steering blindly loose.

Regarding the taking note of the lower shaft orientation prior to removal of the upper shaft, there are actually TDC indentation marks on both the lower and upper shafts. I just had to make sure to align the two during reinstallation.

Isn’t it that if the steering wheel is crooked but the car tracks straight (does not pull to one side), then you can just rotate the steering column shaft against the spline shaft from the gear box to get a straight/levelled steering wheel? But if the car does pull to one side, then the procedure you stated would be the DIY wheel alignment. Did I get this right?

 

[michaelt62]

The flange on the bottom of the coupler can only go on 1 way(there is a flat spot on the gear shaft), and the lower shaft u joint can only go on 1 way (because of the bolt groove), but when you replace the coupler, you have to make sure you don't flip the lower shaft 180 when bolting it to the coupler. The 180 flip means the steering shaft has to rotate 1/2 turn to mount the u joint. You can't adjust the steering wheel by the steering gear shaft (as I said the flange has a flat spot that only goes on 1 way) and the steering wheel can only be installed 1 way because the upper shaft also has a flat spot. If your car tracks straight & your tires don't show any uneven wear then you will need to follow the procedure I listed earlier to align the steering wheel (Remember that whatever adjustment you make to one side, you must do the same to the other or your front alignment will now be off). It's a simple procedure, there are lots of youtube video's that you can watch, the only difference is your car has adjusting sleeves.

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos

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[Tinkerer801801]

Hello, also replacing the rag joint/steering coupler on my 78 mark v.

For the flange that is connected to the steering gear, how did you remove the bolt/nut?

It's almost completely round and not a normal size. Maybe 11 mm

 

[NaturalTourist_1972]

Hello, also replacing the rag joint/steering coupler on my 78 mark v.

For the flange that is connected to the steering gear, how did you remove the bolt/nut?

It's almost completely round and not a normal size. Maybe 11 mm

Hi, that looks unusually round indeed. Use a 12-point socket, can’t remember if it was a 12 or 11mm. If it doesn’t grip then you’ll need to try a vise grip, and get a new replacement bolt.

 

[michaelt62]

It's not rounded off, that's the way it's made. There are no metric nuts or bolts on the Mark V, a 7/16" 12pt socket will work.

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos

 

[Action]

The coupler attaches to the steering gear splined input shaft with a clamp on one end of the coupler. That clamp is squeezed close with a single bolt.

The other side of the coupler is attached to the steering column flange with nuts and bolts.

Action

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[Tinkerer801801]

It's not rounded off, that's the way it's made. There are no metric nuts or bolts on the Mark V, a 7/16" 12pt socket will work.

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos

Thank you! That worked!

 

[G-266980]

You are a life saver, thank you so much for this, and the quick reply! I’ll give it a go and hope to get this finally fixed. Did you have any trouble installing the new coupler? And once it was attached, did you have any trouble fitting it back in place? You didn’t have to lower the steering column by any chance?

Thanks I had no idea how to get the bolt out that shaft. Do you just knock the shaft off with a hammer?

 

[michaelt62]

Thanks I had no idea how to get the bolt out that shaft. Do you just knock the shaft off with a hammer?

After removing the nut, slide the bolt out till it stops (will not come all the way out) now slide the lower shaft down from the upper shaft (no hammer needed).

michaelt62

MY Cars: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Tv0kuDyQhbH-DrqF71zYQ/videos