Trailing Arm shims
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 18
From: Tomball TX
Trailing Arm shims
On to my next question...
I recently replaced both trailing arms on my '73. I meticulously took out and measured the shims and replaced with new stainless, same thickness.
Here's my issue - the thickness of the original shims doesn't seem right - for both sides, I have .25 (inboard) x @.425 (outboard). Granted, the rear will need to be professionally adjusted/aligned; I just want to make sure that this isn't going to be a problem between now and when I eventually get the car into the shop.
"Bubba" did a lot of work on this car previously, so anything is possible, including the wrong shims. I'm finding that I need to be super-careful with the way I re-install anything I take off, as quite often wasn't right to begin with.
Does anybody have a good "starting point" for what the thickness of these shims should be?
I recently replaced both trailing arms on my '73. I meticulously took out and measured the shims and replaced with new stainless, same thickness.
Here's my issue - the thickness of the original shims doesn't seem right - for both sides, I have .25 (inboard) x @.425 (outboard). Granted, the rear will need to be professionally adjusted/aligned; I just want to make sure that this isn't going to be a problem between now and when I eventually get the car into the shop.
"Bubba" did a lot of work on this car previously, so anything is possible, including the wrong shims. I'm finding that I need to be super-careful with the way I re-install anything I take off, as quite often wasn't right to begin with.
Does anybody have a good "starting point" for what the thickness of these shims should be?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
I just had a 4 wheel alignment done today and I put the same thickness shim packs that came out when the trailing arms were rebuilt.
The alignment tech had to move a few shims but it was fairly close.
The alignment tech had to move a few shims but it was fairly close.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
When last I had my rear aligned, I took my purchased pack of SS shims to the shop. I must say they know me there and I was able to watch them do the alignment. Rear was almost done when tech says "I need a 1/32 shim". This was not included in the pack, He also mentioned that one shim size was not correct as to the size marked.
Called the supplier of the shims, well known Corvette supplier, and told him. He went into his stock, and sure enough, shims were not the same size as marked. They did/do not have anye 1/32" shims.
Went to my friend who makes a living rebuilding Corvette rear ends, and he had a couple of GM 1/32" shims.
Back to the shop and got a dead nuts on rear alignment.
Called the supplier of the shims, well known Corvette supplier, and told him. He went into his stock, and sure enough, shims were not the same size as marked. They did/do not have anye 1/32" shims.
Went to my friend who makes a living rebuilding Corvette rear ends, and he had a couple of GM 1/32" shims.
Back to the shop and got a dead nuts on rear alignment.
