I've been getting my steering linkage back together after a lift and realized that my steering coupler disc has a big deep tear in it. Does anyone know where to buy a new one? I don't see them on rockauto or ebay. The part I'm looking for looks a bit like this:

 

 

I'd also like to find a polyuretane one if possible. Maybe I'll track down a blank and drill the holes myself.

 

I've seen them in the "HELP" section of advance auto out here. Not poly, but the standard reinforced rubber kind.

Edited May 8, 20178 yr by 86BRATMAN

I finally realized these coupler parts are also called 'rag joints' after that search I found that older VW's use the same size coupler. If anyone needs one try searching for vw couplers, they are widely available and cheap.

What is the compatible part number?  I'd be interested in a polyurethane rag joint for my EA81s.

If the you're working on a power steering equipped ea81 or ea81t you can do away with the rag joint coupler altogether. The ea82 p/s coupler will work perfectly in its place. Been running my hardtop that way since last summer. You'll have to spin the shaft 180° for the detents to line up and then move the steering wheel accordingly.

If the you're working on a power steering equipped ea81 or ea81t you can do away with the rag joint coupler altogether. The ea82 p/s coupler will work perfectly in its place. Been running my hardtop that way since last summer. You'll have to spin the shaft 180° for the detents to line up and then move the steering wheel accordingly.

+1

 

Yes, if it's not PS, the older VW polyurethane coupler is a direct fit.

OOOOoooooo, good call 86BRATMAN!  I had no idea the EA82s used a u-joint!  Hopefully I can still find one in the dealer network, this is not a part I'd want to source used (My Tercel 4WD has this type of coupler and it nearly locked up on me once, before I lubed it).

The EA82 u-joint steering column coupler is in the neighborhood of $400. There are some left in the country.... called about one for an 85 a while back. The EJ ones aren't much cheaper. I bought one for a WRX few years back and it was close to $200.

 

GD

Be careful with the polyurethane versions as I have seen on many VW sites that they simply do not last and chew up very quickly.