Shim installation, is there a standard install process?
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Shim installation, is there a standard install process?
Greetings guys from Oz.
Just had my T Arms reconditioned, including the purchase of stainless steel shims.
The package I got was 4 thick ones, 4 medium ones and 6 really thin ones.
The original setup I had on my T Arms was all over the shop, all thin on one side, only thick ones here etc etc.
Is there a standard way to start off, such as 1 thick one each side of the arm, then a medium, then a thin one??
Should I worry that I only got 6 thin ones?
Just had my T Arms reconditioned, including the purchase of stainless steel shims.
The package I got was 4 thick ones, 4 medium ones and 6 really thin ones.
The original setup I had on my T Arms was all over the shop, all thin on one side, only thick ones here etc etc.
Is there a standard way to start off, such as 1 thick one each side of the arm, then a medium, then a thin one??
Should I worry that I only got 6 thin ones?
Pro
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: lantana,fl.
Re: Shim installation, is there a standard install process? (OzVette75)
I'm not sure if there is a proper procedure.The best way would have been to note how they were before they were removed.If you don't know how they were then space them evenly and take it to get an alignment.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Georgia
Re: Shim installation, is there a standard install process? (OzVette75)
There's not a good way to put em in except for the good old alignment shop. Even if you'd marked the old ones it'd be close at best because there are too many variables. The new front trailing arm bushings are not likely assembled at the exact same width as the old ones, especially if you changed to poly. You can play with strings from the front of the front tire to the rear of the rear to get an idea if you have to drive it to get it aligned, but again, this gets it close at best and doesn't compensate for wheel/tire run out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Moro IL
Re: Shim installation, is there a standard install process? (OzVette75)
When I align them I start with the big ones first to take up the major space and then work my way to the smaller ones. Either case you'll have to have it aligned, just try and get it close for now, strings will work to get it in the ballpark.
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
:cheers:
Pat Kunz
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Re: Shim installation, is there a standard install process? (OzVette75)
Thanks for the replies guys.
I have the old ones packed as they came out, so I will start at that width and work my way back cause the new bushings are poly, and a big improvement on the old ones!
I just thought it was odd to get only 6 thin ones, would have thought maybe 8. (divides by 4 a bit better than 6
)
As long as I get it drive able to get to an alignment shop. That could be interesting in itself where I live! Mine is 1 of only about 6 C3's in the State!
I have the old ones packed as they came out, so I will start at that width and work my way back cause the new bushings are poly, and a big improvement on the old ones!
I just thought it was odd to get only 6 thin ones, would have thought maybe 8. (divides by 4 a bit better than 6
)As long as I get it drive able to get to an alignment shop. That could be interesting in itself where I live! Mine is 1 of only about 6 C3's in the State!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
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Re: Shim installation, is there a standard install process? (OzVette75)
To tell you the truth, I never thought that they sold enough shims in those kits. It seems that they only send the bare minimum to do a car, with almost none left over for adjustment if needed.
When I did my car I saved the old shims by wrapping them with masking tape and marking them LI, LO, RI,RO. When I positioned the rebuilt arms in position, I started with a combination the closely matched the thickness of each set of ships. I tried to make sure that I had at least two of the thinner shims in each stack. Since I only got 6 of the really thin shims, 4 of the slightly thicker shims and 3 of the thicker shims, it was sort of tough but I got close.
I remember spending a lot of time mixing and matching and trying them for fit, I finally got as close as possible to the thickness of the previous shim pack. I guess I did a pretty good job, since when I had the alignment checked it was right on.
When I did my car I saved the old shims by wrapping them with masking tape and marking them LI, LO, RI,RO. When I positioned the rebuilt arms in position, I started with a combination the closely matched the thickness of each set of ships. I tried to make sure that I had at least two of the thinner shims in each stack. Since I only got 6 of the really thin shims, 4 of the slightly thicker shims and 3 of the thicker shims, it was sort of tough but I got close.
I remember spending a lot of time mixing and matching and trying them for fit, I finally got as close as possible to the thickness of the previous shim pack. I guess I did a pretty good job, since when I had the alignment checked it was right on.
