Control arm shimms?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
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Control arm shimms?
Guys,
I had a friend of mine replace the upper and lower control arm bushings on my 1972 convertible. When I ordered the bushings form ECKLERS I noticed there were also shimms you could buy. My mechanic did not ask me to order any so I know none were installed. I also replaced the tires after the job with P225/15 and now they slightly rub on front part of the fender when the tires are turned completely to the left or right.
I hadn't notice the rub with the old tires. Could the bushing job be the problem or are the P225 tires just a bit too large for the car?
Thank you all for any information.
Ron
I had a friend of mine replace the upper and lower control arm bushings on my 1972 convertible. When I ordered the bushings form ECKLERS I noticed there were also shimms you could buy. My mechanic did not ask me to order any so I know none were installed. I also replaced the tires after the job with P225/15 and now they slightly rub on front part of the fender when the tires are turned completely to the left or right.
I hadn't notice the rub with the old tires. Could the bushing job be the problem or are the P225 tires just a bit too large for the car?
Thank you all for any information.
Ron
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Control arm shimms?
The rims are the stock 15" wheels that came from the factory. I did not have a wheel alignment after the bushings were installed. Is an alignment required after this type of replacement? Thanks.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Control arm shimms?
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,503
Likes: 33
From: McGrady NC
St. Jude Donor '15-'16
You need an alignment and badly. If no shims were installed then the tops of the tires stick out too far and hit the fenders. Don't put it off until you ruin your tires or break a fender after a hard bump.
Most likely you need at least a quarter of an inch in shims installed between the frame and both ends of both top control arm shafts just to get it to the alignment shop. You can do that if you have the shims. Your car needs a professional alignment.
Most likely you need at least a quarter of an inch in shims installed between the frame and both ends of both top control arm shafts just to get it to the alignment shop. You can do that if you have the shims. Your car needs a professional alignment.
Last edited by CaseyJones; Aug 4, 2014 at 12:11 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee WI
Is it possible your mechanic just used the shims that were there to begin with? When I did my front bushings I didn't buy any new shims either.
Either way, an alignment seems to be in order. I just don't want undue blame to be dispensed.
Either way, an alignment seems to be in order. I just don't want undue blame to be dispensed.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Humboldt county Ca
When I did my front bushings I marked the old shims and put them right back where they came from so I could get it to the alignment shop. Perhaps your friend did the same thing? Pretty easy to pop the hood and see if there's any shims installed. You can buy front shims at most parts houses---I've even seen boxed assortments at Harbor Freight. The rear shims------well, that's a different story.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Stumpshot,
Thanks for the advice. I'll check under the hood to see if any shims are there and if not I'll see if our local NAPA or maybe even Auto Zone have them. Then I'll get the vette to an alignment shop ASAP.
Thanks for the advice. I'll check under the hood to see if any shims are there and if not I'll see if our local NAPA or maybe even Auto Zone have them. Then I'll get the vette to an alignment shop ASAP.