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> Rear camber shims, Rear camber shims number and thickness
pistonboy
post Jan 9 2023, 12:14 AM
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Hello
In the past, I removed rear camber shims from my car. Since then, trailing arm bushings have been replaced and I need to return the shim stack to its original thickness. I usually keep a record of such changes, but apparently I failed to record it or keep the old shims. I believe all shims were the same thickness.

Can anyone measure the thickness of a spare shim they have? Also, how many shims are installed at each wheel? I suspect all vehicles had the same number of shims, though not guaranteed. I have replacement shims from 914 Rubber which are of varying thickness, but I believe the original shims were all the same thickness.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Shimless Jim
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Van B
post Jan 9 2023, 01:11 AM
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The shims are for alignment. Not a guarantee that you will use the same stack again when you align the car. Just order s stack and see what you need when you have it on the rack at the alignment shop.
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Cairo94507
post Jan 9 2023, 07:10 AM
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Indeed. Van B is correct. The shims come in different thicknesses so see what you have and if you don't have at least 3 different thicknesses, I would order some and take them with you to the alignment shop.

Now....I would also recommend finding an alignment shop with someone who has aligned old cars like our cars before. I took my car to 2 alignment shops who claimed to know how to align the 914...it never felt right. Finally, I was referred to a guy in Roseville who had his own shop and knew what he was doing. Made a big difference in how the car rode and handled. 3rd time was a charm for me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
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brant
post Jan 9 2023, 07:16 AM
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First find a good shop that can do a 4 wheel alignment
They are getting hard to find

Then take shims to the shop
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TheCabinetmaker
post Jan 9 2023, 08:20 AM
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Actually any car that has independent rear suspension gets a 4 wheel alignment these days. Today's alignment machines are built to do 4 wheel. Problem is finding one that can do our cars. I had mine done a few years ago and got under the car with the tech and walked him thru doing it. I had a box of shims with me. It came out near perfect
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StarBear
post Jan 9 2023, 08:25 AM
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Also concur.
They often come in sets of 3 (2, 3, and 4 mm) IIRC. AA has them. They get stacked to provide the correct alignment.
Don’t forget to add the plastic plugs (often missing) to keep crud out of the open upper part of the bolt hole.
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Van B
post Jan 9 2023, 09:51 AM
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@StarBear you gotta link for where to buy those things?
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NARP74
post Jan 9 2023, 09:57 AM
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914 Rubber has the full kit, not sure if they sell just the plugs. There is a chance you will need longer bolts depending how many shims you use. The kits contain those as well.
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StarBear
post Jan 9 2023, 10:15 AM
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QUOTE(Van B @ Jan 9 2023, 10:51 AM) *

@StarBear you gotta link for where to buy those things?

If you mean the plugs, I think both AA and 914Rubber sell them and maybe Pelican, too. They are similar to original but without the markings. If the shims, I think I got the kit with bolts from 914Rubber.
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SirAndy
post Jan 9 2023, 12:04 PM
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QUOTE(Van B @ Jan 8 2023, 11:11 PM) *

The shims are for alignment. Not a guarantee that you will use the same stack again when you align the car. Just order s stack and see what you need when you have it on the rack at the alignment shop.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Depending on where in CA you are, Roger Kraus does full alignments and they do know 914s.
https://rogerkrausracing.com/

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jc73-914
post Jan 9 2023, 12:16 PM
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Just curious if any member has done the rear alignment at home.
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SirAndy
post Jan 9 2023, 12:41 PM
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QUOTE(jc73-914 @ Jan 9 2023, 10:16 AM) *

Just curious if any member has done the rear alignment at home.

Yes, i have. You're going to need a string setup, like the Smart Racing setup below for example.
https://www.smartracingproducts.com/smartstrings

It's a pretty tedious process, but it can be done on any level surface.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

PS: For best results, you also want a way to corner balance the car before doing the alignment.
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brant
post Jan 9 2023, 12:49 PM
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QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 9 2023, 11:41 AM) *

QUOTE(jc73-914 @ Jan 9 2023, 10:16 AM) *

Just curious if any member has done the rear alignment at home.

Yes, i have. You're going to need a string setup, like the Smart Racing setup below for example.
https://www.smartracingproducts.com/smartstrings

It's a pretty tedious process, but it can be done on any level surface.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

PS: For best results, you also want a way to corner balance the car before doing the alignment.



and ride height before Corner balance...
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NARP74
post Jan 9 2023, 01:12 PM
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OK, now we need a breakout thread.

Ride height and corner balance have been on my list to play with for a while.

How do you corner balance w/o scales?
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brant
post Jan 9 2023, 01:15 PM
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QUOTE(NARP74 @ Jan 9 2023, 12:12 PM) *

OK, now we need a breakout thread.

Ride height and corner balance have been on my list to play with for a while.

How do you corner balance w/o scales?



I have a set of scales...
if you ever want to come up and use them that is fine...

on the race car its at least a half day to scale.
like andy said about alignment.... also a tedious process.

changing ride height messes up your alignment... thus the order of things.


brant
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SirAndy
post Jan 9 2023, 01:39 PM
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QUOTE(NARP74 @ Jan 9 2023, 11:12 AM) *
How do you corner balance w/o scales?

You don't ...
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SirAndy
post Jan 9 2023, 01:42 PM
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I'd be willing to chip in 1/2 of the cost for a corner balance scale and string alignment setup if we can get someone with a nice red barn garage and lift ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) @tygaboy ) to volunteer to offer alignment services to members.

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NARP74
post Jan 9 2023, 02:12 PM
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Ride height, corner balance, alignment, got it. That's the easy part, the order that is...

I have a shop to use for the alignment that will shorten the tedious final process.

What's the thinking on ride height? Purely subjective or what?
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SirAndy
post Jan 9 2023, 02:32 PM
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QUOTE(NARP74 @ Jan 9 2023, 12:12 PM) *

Ride height, corner balance, alignment, got it. That's the easy part, the order that is...

I have a shop to use for the alignment that will shorten the tedious final process.

What's the thinking on ride height? Purely subjective or what?

Ride height is very much a personal preference until you get to the point where you bottom out the shocks. Not to mention bump steer.

- Eyeball the ride height to your personal preference

- Corner balance the car with ~1/2 a tank of gas and the drivers weight in the seat. For our cars the goal is right about 50/50.

- Align all 4 corners to match your intended use of the car

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NARP74
post Jan 9 2023, 02:39 PM
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QUOTE(brant @ Jan 9 2023, 12:15 PM) *

QUOTE(NARP74 @ Jan 9 2023, 12:12 PM) *

OK, now we need a breakout thread.

Ride height and corner balance have been on my list to play with for a while.

How do you corner balance w/o scales?



I have a set of scales...
if you ever want to come up and use them that is fine...

on the race car its at least a half day to scale.
like andy said about alignment.... also a tedious process.

changing ride height messes up your alignment... thus the order of things.


brant

Awesome, I need to get some other things done. Contact you later. Thanks!
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