Topic: Upper Control Arm Support ?

[Brian Conway]

Anybody using this tool ?  It's called a Upper Arm Support ?  Pros and Cons ?  Is it made or available ?  65 Shop Manual pg.3-14  Thanks,  Brian

[CharlesTurner]

It's good to have to keep the upper shock bushings from getting damaged when jacking the car.

[jwc66k]

I usually use a chunk of hi-tech 2 X 4 between the fame and the arm.
Jim

[ruppstang]

We built some after my customer left his car on the two post lift for two weeks and discovered the shock bushings were ruined and the upper ball joint boots were torn.
In the past I have used Jims hi tech 4X4's but I really like this metal design. We added rubber to the ends so as not to mark up things.

[preaction]

Not using them  messes with the strut rod bushings too.

[Brian Conway]

OK. I was aware of possible bushing damage.  Was not aware of upper boot or strut rod damage.  Good to know.  I, of course, have never used anything to support the upper arm.  Just jack the car up, leave everything hanging, and go about whatever it is I 'am doing.  Recently have noticed when I bottom out, usually a pot hole, the front end gives out a grunt-thump sound.  I think it's coming from one of the shocks ?  My thinking is I may have damaged the shock ' valveing ' by not supporting the upper arm ?  Next time I 'am under there I will look into the hi-tech 2x4 support. Brian

[Anghelrestorations]

I am actually making some more of these.  I am making another 20 sets right now, but yes, a good tool to have when you raise them up.  Ford wanted us to use them for a reason....

[Texas Swede]

The annual car inspection (Government controlled) in Sweden used this tool when measuring the wear of ball joints.
They must have gotten the information from Ford on how to measure play in ball joints.
Texas Swede

[markb0729]

Wow!  I never knew about supporting the upper control arm.  Now I will!  Thanks.

[ChrisV289]

I am actually making some more of these.  I am making another 20 sets right now, but yes, a good tool to have when you raise them up.  Ford wanted us to use them for a reason....

Just saw this thread, was going to comment that you had made some.   

[DM_1964]

I am actually making some more of these.  I am making another 20 sets right now, but yes, a good tool to have when you raise them up.  Ford wanted us to use them for a reason....

Marcus, I'm interested in a pair if those 20 aren't already allocated, I'll PM you.

[stangs-R-me]

I made a set this summer and posted a thread on my other favorite classic Mustang forum ...

http://1969stang.com/forum/index.php?/topic/56854-upper-control-arm-support-tools/

Made a second set for a friend ... took around 55 minutes including clean up.   Material cost per set is under $4.00 using 3/8x4" CRS ... computer says we bought 24 ft in 1998 and there was under 16 ft there so 8 ft must have been used at some point.   

One set at a time I think I'd want $40 for a set ... make 3-5 at a time maybe could charge $25-30 / set.

Had I not had material here, I would have likely gone a different route.

McMaster Carr skips over the 1-5/8" width so you would need to use 1-3/4", which is where your average joe would likely buy CF Steel bar in small qty.   They sell it in 6", 12" 24" 36" & 72" lengths.
Using 4" wide like I did you could get 3 sets out of a 24" piece ($43.95 / 3 = $14.65 each set material cost.
or
Using 1-3/4" wide you could get 2 sets out of a 36" piece ... $21.95 / 2 = $10.98 each set material cost (plus UPS shipping cost) and would save a little labor since the 1-5/8" width is only critical at the top where it grabs the upper arm; could leave the lower 5~5.5" the full 1-3/4" width.   This is definitely the cheapest route to go if only making a coupe of sets at a time.   
Buying a 72" piece would not be a huge savings ... $37.85 / 4 = $9.47 each set material cost; however UPS may charge an oversize fee on the 6 FT. package, so could end up being more expensive this way.

Time could be further reduced if they were made from 3/8 x 1-5/8" stock, which surprisingly does exist according to my steel supplier book.   Comes in random 12 ft lengths, so you'd have to make a whole bars worth (8 sets) at a time and likely order the steel with a material stock order to get it delivered cheap.   Material cost would maybe be $4~6.00 each set this way and labor maybe 10-20 minutes labor per set if you were to make 8 sets at a time.

Certainly don't want to go into business making these myself, but just trying to guess at a cost difference between a guy buying material to make one or 2 sets himself vs. done in bulk.

Doug

[Brian Conway]

Thanks for the share Doug.  Read the high-lighted post and sure enough, on the 69 428 cars, the fuel line is right where it shouldn't be ?     Brian

[OldMustangGuy]

Here's a set I made...it's a little cleaner and simpler than the original design and modified so that they don't inadvertantly crush the fuel line on cars where the line runs along the frame rail.  Under the category of full disclosure, my first attempt at these resulted in a bit of a mishap that I have embarrassingly shared with Marcus but this set works great. If anyone is interested I'll send the dimensions.

[Anghelrestorations]

Here is a quick picture of what I have put together.  The design is based on the actual original Ford tool.  I am adding these to my website for $100 a set plus shipping, or including them free when I do a suspension restoration.  Good tool to have.

]IMG_7785 by Marcus Anghel, on Flickr[/url][/img]