Trailing arm shims after upgrade: shave or leave space?
11-19-2017, 08:26 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Trailing arm shims after upgrade: shave or leave space?
Putting my rear suspension back together after several upgrades, mostly poly bushings, but also adjustable strut rods and a set of global West trailing arms.
Now I'm still missing the shims to completely fill the outer side of the t-arm. Is it wise to leave it that way? I could grind down the thicker shims I do have.
Nearest alignment shop willing to work on older cars is a half hour freeway drive away. So I'm wondering if I should not do a manual alignment anyway?
Now I'm still missing the shims to completely fill the outer side of the t-arm. Is it wise to leave it that way? I could grind down the thicker shims I do have.
Nearest alignment shop willing to work on older cars is a half hour freeway drive away. So I'm wondering if I should not do a manual alignment anyway?
11-19-2017, 08:49 AM
#2
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Posts: 5,338
Received 1,202 Likes
on
926 Posts
Royal Canadian Navy
You MUST fill the gap with shims to make the car driveable. Grind down the thicker shims if thats what you need to do to fill that gap You could set the toe yourself and camber. Lots of diy info on this.
11-19-2017, 09:11 AM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
11-19-2017, 10:40 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Do yourself a favor and take shims with you. These newer shops don't keep shims for our trailing arms. I've found that purchasing shims prior to the trip to the alignment shop works best. The mechanics will appreciate it as well.
11-19-2017, 11:23 AM
#5
Shims are easy to obtain.
11-20-2017, 06:43 AM
#6
Drifting
Thread Starter
One more question: how tight a fit should this be?
I've ground them down enough to hammer them in, but maybe they should be "tap in" or even "push in"?
And thanks for the tip on bringing shims, will do!
I've ground them down enough to hammer them in, but maybe they should be "tap in" or even "push in"?
And thanks for the tip on bringing shims, will do!
11-20-2017, 06:51 AM
#7
Dementer sole survivor
Member Since: Oct 2015
Location: YUPPY HELL Westford MASS
Posts: 16,566
Received 6,431 Likes
on
3,981 Posts
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
mine tapped in. You dont want them to bind
11-20-2017, 07:17 AM
#8
Instructor
My shims are pretty snug. This alignment is not difficult to diy. There's videos. Pull the brake discs off and bolt them on backwards, support the discs with floor jacks positioned so the jack wheels allow side to side movement, pull some strings, measure carefully and move shims around til you got it. I've got mine exact (within' inches) 
No, mine are pretty daggone good using the string method.
No, mine are pretty daggone good using the string method.
11-20-2017, 10:03 PM
#9
Race Director
They should be snug with the bolt loose.
I would recommend Stainless Steel shims if you plan on keeping the car.
They do come in packs with an assortment of thicknesses.
I would recommend Stainless Steel shims if you plan on keeping the car.
They do come in packs with an assortment of thicknesses.
Last edited by BLUE1972; 11-20-2017 at 10:05 PM.
The following users liked this post:
worship79 (11-25-2017)
11-25-2017, 04:26 PM
#10
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks, I managed with some grinding 
Ordered new shims to take with me to the shop.
Ordered new shims to take with me to the shop.