Shim install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Shim install
I just replaced my gearbox and control valve and now my car drives great! 
I took it to the alignment shop and they told me that I was missing the shims on my rear drivers side. I want to replace these on my car so I can get a full alignment. What troubles am i to expect while attempting to replace the shims such as tools and process of removal and installation.
I took it to the alignment shop and they told me that I was missing the shims on my rear drivers side. I want to replace these on my car so I can get a full alignment. What troubles am i to expect while attempting to replace the shims such as tools and process of removal and installation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I just replaced my gearbox and control valve and now my car drives great! I took it to the alignment shop and they told me that I was missing the shims on my rear drivers side. I want to replace these on my car so I can get a full alignment. What troubles am i to expect while attempting to replace the shims such as tools and process of removal and installation.
I took it to the alignment shop and they told me that I was missing the shims on my rear drivers side. I want to replace these on my car so I can get a full alignment. What troubles am i to expect while attempting to replace the shims such as tools and process of removal and installation. If it is rust welded I would get a shim pack that will fill the inside of the pocket completely. They should require light taps to drive them in. You don't want to move the bushing on the bolt or you will be changing the alignment. Once those are in place I would saturate the bolt/bushing with penetrating oil for several days. Hopefully that will free up the arm to slide on the bolt in the event that the rear toe needs adjustment. Then I would fill the outside of the pocket with shims. Again, they should be very snug and require light tapping with a hammer to drive them in. At that point, you can take it to the alignment shop.
If the bushing is not rust welded to the bolt, meaning the control arm is able to slide on the bolt then I would put a shim pack on the inside that is the same as the one on the inside of the other control arm. Again, I would fill the outside pocket with shims that are snug. That should get you close enough to drive to the alignment shop.
