Steering box coupler cracks

[SYS64738]

Hi All,

My 71 ghia steering box coupler is showing cracks. Pic attached. I assume this is bad? Not sure how bad? I expect this is original.

And everything looking pretty rusty. And that ground wire looks rough too.

Thoughts? Pretty sure I want to replace the coupler. Does the whole steering column look shot?

Thanks for the help!

!

[bhartwell59]

Def replace the coupler/rag joint. I used this type:
https://eisparts.com/product/steering-coupler-rubber/?gQT=2

Other parts look crusty but getting the bolts out will be the issue.
_________________
'74 Zambezi green Ghia vert, autostick, 103k
'87 Jeep Wrangler, 4.2, 334k

[runamoc]

you wonder should it be replaced? When you do replace it use longer 'mounting' bolts. If, in the future, the 'joint' fails the longer bolts will still still be able to reach the flanges and provide some steering control. One of Ford's better ideas that worked for me on a truck that broke the 'rag joint'. An improvement that doesn't cost much.
_________________
Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 45 yrs - Plan B: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs- '80 Rabbit Diesel
VW Wiring = It's just wires

[SYS64738]

Thank you both! Great tip on the bolts!

Should I also be replacing those flanges too? The rag looks doable (for me) but as mentioned will be about how seized those bolts are. Assuming I can get the rag out are the flanges going to be a lot harder to remove and likely fused? Is that opening a can of worms and better just leaving them as-is crusty as they are?

Thanks!