Trailing Arm Shims Play
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Trailing Arm Shims Play
Just had my 1971 454 back from my local shop, performing a 4 wheel alignment. When raising the car in the back and grabbing the tire at 12 and 6, there is a significant movement. The question is, are you supposed to stack the shims firmly on both sides of the trailing arm, for the purpose of removing this "end play"? What are the margins here?
All wheel bearings, trailing arm bushings, pivot bolts as well as wheel bearings have been replaced as well.
Thanks
Knut
All wheel bearings, trailing arm bushings, pivot bolts as well as wheel bearings have been replaced as well.
Thanks
Knut
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Are the TA shims in place? Yes they are supposed to be tight on both sides of the TA bushing, there should be no lateral movement on trhe TA pivot end. Sounds like you have some differential yoke wear
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
You shouldn't be able to remove a shim by hand. That means they are loose enough to fall out! There should be a "cotter pin" thing holding them in place (or something similar) if they are not the stock shims.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
From: Seattle Wash.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Fort Washington PA
I had that issue, every tine I made a left turn, it sounded like a sledge hammer was hitting the rear wheel well. Scared the heck out of me when it first happened. Added more shims and good to go!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
One of the reasons they put the cotter pin in was to prevent the shims from coming out in the first place. Go back and start asking questions. First question: Have you ever aligned or worked on a C2 or C3 rear suspension? If the answer is yes. Ask them how this could have happened. If they answer no, they you will know why the car was improperly aligned that way. Good luck!
