J-8808 LOWER CONTROL ARM SPACER TOOL

Service manual calls for J8808 spacer tool to be used when re-installing the lower control arm bushings. Of course this tool is impossible to find -- has anybody else tackled this somehow? Does someone no what the dimension is of the spacer - it seems one could slot some pipe for the spacing if you knew the width of the spacer.

Anyone?

TIA!
Josh

I made a spacer out of a 1/2 section of conduit. It was some time ago but I think the manual calls for some specific dimensions for the shaft to extend out of one or each side of the subframe mount. Seemed to work out. I'll check back to see if I can find my notes and a manual ref, and send a pic of the spacer. I saved it.

It would be truly appreciated!! I know it can't be much -- I didn't see any dimensions given but I truthfully only scanned through the pages on an initial read while looking for something else.

TIA!
Josh

Here's a couple of pics of the spacer. It fits a certain way due to a slight angle of the control arm. I have a 1961 Olds F85 (Revised edition) Service Manual and it notes the process in Suspension section for Front Suspension. For some reason the spacer tool and the control arm shaft installation tool pics are shown at the end of the Rear Suspension section.

Book notes the control arm shaft is to be installed with equal spacing from the threaded boss in the subframe with apprx 1-11/16" on either side. It does not say what the actual measurement for the spacing of the control arm from the boss is, which is what the spacer sets. After other conversations on the Jetfire site and assuming you want the bushings threaded on the shaft fully on both sides I "assumed" they want similar spacing front to back for the control arm. I set it up with a small forward bias of the lower control arm so that I could gain a little head start on increased caster. I also set up the upper arm with a small rearward bias for the same reason.

I have not had the car aligned yet but have had it on the road and it seems to handle pretty good considering camber and caster are out.
Hope this helps, anyone with better info on spacing would be great.

So is your spacer 1 11/16" wide then?  If not, what is the width you settled on for it? Also, what diameter conduit did you cut in half?

Your service manual should give you some goods pics and description of the set up. Do you have a Service Manual? If not I can scan a couple of pages for you.

No, the lower control arm SHAFT extends out from both sides of the subframe threaded bosses by 1-11/16". First the grease boot and then the control arm slip over the shaft. Then the bushings thread onto the shaft through the control arm. Please re-read my prior posting for how I arrived at spacing.

I'll measure the diam of the tool but basically you want a diam that will be a little smaller than the threaded boss on the subframe and that will fit against the flat area of the control arm.
Do you have a Service Manual? If not I can scan a couple of pages for you.

I do have a service manual and clearly I need to do some more focused reading of it -- as mentioned above I did not see any indication of actual spacing width but was not really looking for the section when I stumbled upon it and it peaked my interest - which then led me to looking for the J tool so I could have it on hand when I'm ready for re-assembly.

I might have time tonight to take a closer look.

As a side note -- I never removed the lower control arm SHAFT -- just the bushings and lower control arm itself. So the 1 11/16" width is irrelevant to me it sounds.

Unfortunately it does not give you the spacing, you need to extrapolate. I'll measure the tool and give you what I have. I believe width is around 1.115" with a taper.

Looks like I cut it from an 1-1/2" steel conduit. Width is right about 1.15".

Easy to check and make sure the shafts are at required dimension.

Make sure you clean the bushings out good. My were so packed with old hardened grease they wouldn't take grease from the gun. I cleaned them out well and pre-loaded them with some grease prior to assembly.

Tx - believe it or not I actually found and was able to purchase the J-8808 just a few minutes ago.  I appreciate you looking further into this though. I will be sure to mic the actual tool for everyone so they have the exact dimensions for future reference.

As for the bushings -- I've got all new bushings and suspension components coming entire front end will be brand new with the exception of the idler arm, pitman arm, and inner tie rods as I cannot find a replacement for them ( inner ties that is, Im aware the pitman and idler are available ).  My steering tube was a bit questionable - one of the keyhole slots appears to have been splayed open at some point so even it is being replaced.

Wow, good going, where did you find that!? Interested to see what it's actually supposed to be.

I actually found two places that had them -- I jumped on the 1st one that responded thinking the 2nd would be a dead end. Might have overpaid, not sure, waiting for the 2nd seller to respond to see if I paid a fair price for it but w/e. Anyways in case you ever need vintage " J " tools check with these two sellers...

Sales@penybonttools.com

toolzguy@att.net

And as stated I'll be sure to give out the dimensions of the pc for future reference.

Ok so spacer arrived. The spacing measurement is 1.23" wide.

It's approx. 1.75" in width that doesn't matter and 1.375" tall.

Alright! I think I am calling width what you are calling spacing. Mine would be 1.15" spacing, the distance it spaces the control arm from the boss, so pretty close. My control arm spacing was way off before I disassembled/cleaned/ and re-spaced, even different between the pass an driver sides.

Does it have some sort of recess or something that acts as a locator for the tool?
How about a picture?

Thanks for the info!

Here are some pics of the tool -- I've dimensioned them as well.

Is it 1.230" I hope so, I just made one out of aluminum...

Keith

Am I missing something? That's what I show up above - I mic'd this when I bought it. Haven't looked at it since - you could've just asked and I would let you borrow it for postage lol

I get it. You just dropped the 0. 1.230" is it. Thanks.

I wasn't trying to be rude - I sure hope it didn't come across that way - anyways yeah it's 1.23" no thousandths...

I didn't take it as rude... I appreciate the offer. We have an NC Mill at work and asked our machinist to make one. If i borrowed i one I would have had it for months. I do appreciate the offer, though.

I'm a ME, so I interpret dimensions asi would find them on a GDT drawing with significant digits. I assumed that since the rest were 3 digit decimals that it was.1.240., but wanted to check to be sure.

Thanks!

Ok kewl - never know how someone interprets something over the interwebs -

That sounds like a good gig ya got there - I now know why you always are so detailed in your delivery!

I made the spacer out of aluminum to your dimensions. It would have been better out of steel, but for the 2 times that I need to use it, aluminum is fine.

The JST dust shields (rubber bits that came in the kit) did not fit against anything to keep anything out, so I re-used the old ones that I just cleaned up. Would have been nice to have new ones, though. The lower adjustable ball joint in the kit is a bit of a pain. I would have preferred a fixed one, but I got that adjusted as well. Everything nice and tight on the right front. I'll do the left front in spring.

I bought a used lower left a-arm and when I got it, the forward pivot hole was trashed. I had it welded up and then milled out the hole so I could thread a new pivot in it. I put it all back together on Saturday and it now has 4 wheels again. Woo Hoo! Now I can put it in storage.

Keith

As a follow-up to this. If you do this project of replacing the lower control arms, make sure to pull the lower a-arm forward more than the spacer or you will not be able to hit the caster tolerance for the front end alignment.