Dag Nabbed Trailing Arm Shims.
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 51
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From: Columbus Ohio
Dag Nabbed Trailing Arm Shims.
The trailing arm shims need replaced in my 1980. I bought the shims a few years back but just haven't gotten around to replacing them yet. Any time I've looked for advice for installing new ones all I've ever found is everyone saying to "Just measure the width as it is and replace them to the same measurements". My problem is that the old shims have rusted so badly that they have disintegrated into dust and therefore each side is different. I need to know if anyone can help by advising me what measurements I could use to install new shims from scratch or any other advice they could give me.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I think that you will have to end up getting a rear end alignment. So, I would just center the arms and make sure that the shims take up all the slack, then head to the alignment shop. Bring any extra shims in case they need thinner or thicker shims to make it right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 598
The trailing arm shims need replaced in my 1980. I bought the shims a few years back but just haven't gotten around to replacing them yet. Any time I've looked for advice for installing new ones all I've ever found is everyone saying to "Just measure the width as it is and replace them to the same measurements". My problem is that the old shims have rusted so badly that they have disintegrated into dust and therefore each side is different. I need to know if anyone can help by advising me what measurements I could use to install new shims from scratch or any other advice they could give me.
Unless you can do your own alignment make them as close as possible to original. Then take the car in for a 4 wheel alignment.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,434
Likes: 239
From: Powassan ON
I recall reading somewhere on the forum that you'd use the thickest possible shims on the inside and "fine tune" the alignment with the thinner shims on the outside. Thats no fact, but what I recall reading. Might've been vice-versa.
If I can find the link ill repost it here.
Dodosmike
If I can find the link ill repost it here.
Dodosmike
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Get the car flat on the ground, rear toe shims removed, and the front wheels straight ahead. It will be easier to shove and twist the wheels around if you put six or eight sheets of shiny magazine paper under each tire.
Get yourself some stainless toe shims from any of the reproduction houses, first.
From the rear of the car, sight along the middle of each rear tire to each of the front wheels. With just a touch of toe in, you should just barely see the outside of the front tire. If you see a bunch of the tire, there is too much toe in. If you can't see the front tire at all, there is too much toe out on that side.
Without moving the rear wheels, solid stack the shims in the toe adjustment "box".
Now tighten the trailing arm bolt, and carefully drive to the alignment shop.
Good luck.
Get yourself some stainless toe shims from any of the reproduction houses, first.
From the rear of the car, sight along the middle of each rear tire to each of the front wheels. With just a touch of toe in, you should just barely see the outside of the front tire. If you see a bunch of the tire, there is too much toe in. If you can't see the front tire at all, there is too much toe out on that side.
Without moving the rear wheels, solid stack the shims in the toe adjustment "box".
Now tighten the trailing arm bolt, and carefully drive to the alignment shop.
Good luck.
Last edited by gcusmano74; Apr 26, 2014 at 09:19 PM.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Another maybe......
I read that once you determine how many shims are needed on each side of the trailing arm the very thinnest of the shims need to be sandwiched between the thicker shims when they are installed as a "pack" so they won't get mangled because of the snug fit on each side of the trailing arm.
I read that once you determine how many shims are needed on each side of the trailing arm the very thinnest of the shims need to be sandwiched between the thicker shims when they are installed as a "pack" so they won't get mangled because of the snug fit on each side of the trailing arm.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Another maybe......
I read that once you determine how many shims are needed on each side of the trailing arm the very thinnest of the shims need to be sandwiched between the thicker shims when they are installed as a "pack" so they won't get mangled because of the snug fit on each side of the trailing arm.
I read that once you determine how many shims are needed on each side of the trailing arm the very thinnest of the shims need to be sandwiched between the thicker shims when they are installed as a "pack" so they won't get mangled because of the snug fit on each side of the trailing arm.
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