Trailing arm shims
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Trailing arm shims
I just had my trailing arms rebuilt and they're ready to go back in. The old shims turned into rust flakes and I'm not sure how to reshim the arms. I have a shim kit, but I don't know which side of the trailing arm to put them on. Can anyone help?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Trailing arm shims (pea12)
You have to have the car aligned. They pack shims in both sides. For now you will just have to guess or run a string or a lazer level and get the toe as close as you can before taking it to the alignment shop Just don't drive it further then necessary before the alignment.
I would start with a few in the back then fill the front up, tighten the bolt and try to look down it or use the other methods I mentioned. Then move shims front to back or whatevere until it looks roughlly ok then get it to the alignment shops.
Good luck.
I recommend stainless shims.
I would start with a few in the back then fill the front up, tighten the bolt and try to look down it or use the other methods I mentioned. Then move shims front to back or whatevere until it looks roughlly ok then get it to the alignment shops.
Good luck.
I recommend stainless shims.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Re: Trailing arm shims (norvalwilhelm)
You have to have the car aligned. They pack shims in both sides. For now you will just have to guess or run a string or a lazer level and get the toe as close as you can before taking it to the alignment shop Just don't drive it further then necessary before the alignment.
I would start with a few in the back then fill the front up, tighten the bolt and try to look down it or use the other methods I mentioned. Then move shims front to back or whatevere until it looks roughlly ok then get it to the alignment shops.
Good luck.
I recommend stainless shims.
I would start with a few in the back then fill the front up, tighten the bolt and try to look down it or use the other methods I mentioned. Then move shims front to back or whatevere until it looks roughlly ok then get it to the alignment shops.
Good luck.
I recommend stainless shims.
Just a quick and dirty eyeball job with the toe, and get it to a shop that knows how to work on these old sharks ASAP.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Re: Trailing arm shims (pea12)
They go on both sides. The best way to determine how many of which size is to tape them together and mark them when you take them out. Sounds like it's too late for that now. Anyway, it's just temporary until you can get an alignment. If it was me, I'd shim them where they look straight and set the camber as well as I could. Then, if the alignment shop is close by, drive very slowly to the shop and get a 4 wheel alignment. If it's any distance to the shop, then I'd trailer it.
Somebody else may have a better idea, but that's my 2 cents.
Somebody else may have a better idea, but that's my 2 cents.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: Valparaiso IN
Re: Trailing arm shims (pea12)
I just went thru this also.. make sure you call around to different alignment shops and ask the alignment tech if he has ever done a C3 vette.. If he doesn't know about the shims, move on.. I knew I found my guy when he asked ME if the shims I used were slotted on one end or had 2 holes..(originals). I watched the whole rear end alignment and it looked like it could be a pain.. I was close with my shim placement (on both sides of the TA) and he hit the perfect number on the second try..Take the extra shims in with you and give them to the tech. :hurray: :thumbs:
