Trailing Arm Shims
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Trailing Arm Shims
I need to change the toe in of my left rear wheel on my 70 BB. I soaked everything and have now pulled the cotter pin, nut, and washers off the trailing arm bolt. I drove the bolt part way in, a little stiff, but no problem. I can move the shims up and down but can not pull them out. My question is, are the original factory shims slotted at the bolt end or do they just have a hole? If they are slotted then perhaps they are just stuck. If they have just a hole, then that means I must remove the trailing arm bolt completely. The assembly manual shows slotted shims, but the Chevrolet service manual shows them with just a hole. This looks all original and most likely has not been apart before.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 713
Likes: 61
From: Waterford CT
shims
I pried mine up with a screwdriver to the point where I could get vice grips locked on to the top and bottom of the back of the shims. Then wiggled up and down while pulling. They worked their way out like this. If they move freely in this condition but do not budge coming back then drive out the bolt 'cause it's probably a hole. You don't have to remove the bolt to find out. Just drive it back far enough to free up one side and get those shims out. Then you will know for sure what the end of the shim looks like before taking the bolt completely out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1,395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
My '70 (June built) did not have slotted shims. Slotted shims were added later, not sure if it happened in late '70 or '71.
If you have a cotter pin, then I would think you have slotted shims.
I did not have a cotter pin in the original shims.
I now have SS slotted shim, with the cotter pin.
Barry
If you have a cotter pin, then I would think you have slotted shims.
I did not have a cotter pin in the original shims.
I now have SS slotted shim, with the cotter pin.
Barry
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 112
Likes: 1
From: Chadds Ford PA
The slotted shims didn't start until the last few weeks of 1970 production. Most of the 70s had the shims with holes on both sides and the cotter pin was not used. Functionally, either will work.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 924
Likes: 2
From: Kearneysville West Virginia
Thanks everyone. My 70 is a March built car, and has no cotter key holding the shims in. Given what you have said, and given the way the shims feel when I wiggle them and try to pull them out, I am fairly certain the shims have holes and not slots. I can drive the bolt in, but as I said before, it is a bit stiff, which makes me wonder how I will get the bolt back in since there is no room to tap it in. Perhaps once I have the bolt out and clean it up, it will slide in much eaiser.
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