[Tx Firefighter]

I'm sure Keith Seymore would know more specifics, but it's generally held that the rag joint absorbs some of the shock through the steering system to the wheel.

I believe strongly in GM engineering and retained the rag joint out of respect to that. I feel that GM trucks are the nicest driving trucks ever made. I do have experience with "solid" , non dampened, steering shafts like the Jeep one from some past street rods with Mustang II suspensions so I know it works well also.