Another trailing arm shim question

[Tom L.]

This picture is from a June 70 car. I assumed that it was incorrect because it did not have slotted shims. Based upon the recent post, I'm thinking that this could be original. Should the shims hang out of the frame like this, or were they tucked into the frame? Thanks.

[Jim T.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom my original owner June built 1970 did not come with slotted rear wheel alignment shims. My originals are still on the car and the bolt has to be removed to change the alignment.

[Jim T.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom my original owner June built 1970 did not come with slotted rear wheel alignment shims. My originals are still on the car and the bolt has to be removed to change the alignment.

[Michael G.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom,

Are the shims on the inboard side of the control arm also projecting out like that? I'm not very familiar with the non-slotted shims but the slotted versions do not project out like that.

Mike

[Michael G.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom,

Are the shims on the inboard side of the control arm also projecting out like that? I'm not very familiar with the non-slotted shims but the slotted versions do not project out like that.

Mike

[John C.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom

That's exactly what they should look like.

John

[John C.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Tom

That's exactly what they should look like.

John

[Greg L.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Those look just like the shims on my 69.

[Greg L.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Those look just like the shims on my 69.

[Tom L.]

Thank you *NM*

[Tom L.]

Thank you *NM*

[Thomas F.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Looking at this picture I cannot tell if the trailing arm bolt is present or has been removed. I have a 69 which had the non-slotted shims, but when I replaced the bushings and bearings etc, I decided to go back with the slotted shims. Both types of shims fit inside the trailing arm opening and the ends rested against the bottom of the opening. They did not stick outside the opening as in your picture. To use the slotted shims, I had to drill and install the large cotter pin to hold the shims in place. I know it is not a fun job, but If I were you for safety sake I would remove the trailing arms to check out everything. Your shims may have rusted through and may be slipping out toward the rear. This would be a good time to replace the shims and bolts with new stainless steel parts and replace the rear wheel bearings while you are at it. If you can do this yourself you can purchase the necessary tools and save yourself a lot of money. Since this question was asked over a year ago, you have probably already solved this problem. Maybe someone else can benefit from this info.

[Thomas F.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

Something else I just thought of. Someone may have replaced the original shims sometime in the past with the slotted type and they may be working out toward the rear. The hole you can see in the end is the same hole that the cotter pin goes through to hold the slotted shims in place. I can speak with experience about this because I actually had some of the slotted shims to work themselves out while I was driving on the interstate. Things got scary real quick. I had to drive back home real slow. That's when I realized I had to install the cotter pin. Also this happened after I had the car aligned professionally and the person doing the alignment was not aware of the missing cotter pin that goes with the slotted shims. Hope this helps.

[Terry M.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

The slotted shims entered production in the last week of 1970 production. July 27 to 31, 1970. I am pretty sure that piece of information is in the 1970-1972 TIM&JG, or it was at one time.

[Joe L.]

Re: Another trailing arm shim question

This picture is from a June 70 car. I assumed that it was incorrect because it did not have slotted shims. Based upon the recent post, I'm thinking that this could be original. Should the shims hang out of the frame like this, or were they tucked into the frame? Thanks.

Tom-----


The installed configuration of the shims is very typical of how cars of the non-slotted shim era were built.

From what I can see of it, this car looks to me like it might very well have serious frame corrosion problems. This kind of corrosion is typical of that resulting from life in a road salt environment. It looks like it might have been undercoated a long time ago, but much of the undercoating has "weathered away". While the undercoating might have protected the EXTERNAL portion of the frame for awhile, it would have done nothing for the INTERNAL portion of the frame. That's, of course, where most Corvette frame corrosion "wreaks havoc".