Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS???
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 412
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From: Monroe North Carolina
Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS???
I am going to be installing my trailing arm soon (i hope) but my old shims were so rusted they came out in peices. How do i measure the amount of shims to replace to get it somewhat close to aligned? Enough to get it to an alignment shop.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS??? (Corvettelvr73)
Assuming that the frame is fairly square in the backend, then the best I could tell you is to put an equal amount of shims on each side of the TA, and take it to an alignment shop.
The main thing is to get it looking right.
The main thing is to get it looking right.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS??? (redvetracr)
I have a whole box of OEM GM shims (non-stainless) since I do a lot of these... but I would opt for the stainless ones available from the aftermarket suppliers.
I hate rust.
It is the enemy.
See what living in the snowbelt (saltbelt) does to you??
EDIT:
PS.... I agreed with the first response to your post... so I figured the question had already been sufficiently answered so I didn't bother to restate the obvious....
>>
Assuming that the frame is fairly square in the backend, then the best I could tell you is to put an equal amount of shims on each side of the TA, and take it to an alignment shop.
The main thing is to get it looking right.
>>
You can't accurately align a car with a ball of string and a compass. The tolerances are too small and critical. You need some form of very accurate equipment, whether professional grade or home-made.
Tom
[Modified by Tom454, 2:06 PM 11/5/2003]
I hate rust.
It is the enemy.
See what living in the snowbelt (saltbelt) does to you??
EDIT:
PS.... I agreed with the first response to your post... so I figured the question had already been sufficiently answered so I didn't bother to restate the obvious....
>>
Assuming that the frame is fairly square in the backend, then the best I could tell you is to put an equal amount of shims on each side of the TA, and take it to an alignment shop.
The main thing is to get it looking right.
>>
You can't accurately align a car with a ball of string and a compass. The tolerances are too small and critical. You need some form of very accurate equipment, whether professional grade or home-made.
Tom
[Modified by Tom454, 2:06 PM 11/5/2003]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS??? (Corvettelvr73)
What I did to get the rear arms close was to have the fornt wheel straight and used a line to run between the front and rear studs. I used the frame as a measurement reference. Then used a 2' level on the rotor hub with a sissor jack under the shock mount to level the arm and adjust the camber. I don't know how close it is but it looks a lot better then the way it was adjusted from the last shop.
Norval uses a laser to align his car but I'm not sure on the way it's setup?
Gary
Norval uses a laser to align his car but I'm not sure on the way it's setup?
Gary
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 254
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From: Lonoke Arkansas
Re: Rear End TOE-IN SHIMS??? (Corvettelvr73)
Do you wounder some times if any one is actually READING your post?
Guesstimate the total shim thicknesses you had before and install the new shims in the same locations. With the car's weight on the rear suspension, get back and :skep: eyeball down each side of the car at the height of the wheel center line. If it looks outa whack, it probably is. Adjust shim thickness/location accordingly and drive directly to the alignment shop. :hurray:
Guesstimate the total shim thicknesses you had before and install the new shims in the same locations. With the car's weight on the rear suspension, get back and :skep: eyeball down each side of the car at the height of the wheel center line. If it looks outa whack, it probably is. Adjust shim thickness/location accordingly and drive directly to the alignment shop. :hurray:
