308 lower ball joint shims

Hi. I was taking apart the right side and noticed I have three shims on the one side and one on the other. The other side was 2 and 2. Does anyone have something similar or do you think it was the sloppy work from a previous mechanic?
Joe
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

JTT,

Those shims are for the caster adjustment. Having just rebuilt the entire suspension, I had to move the shims on the right side from 2 & 2 to 3 rear & 1 front to get the proper caster on that side.

So to answer your question, no it's not sloppy work.

 

And Caster on one side often not equal to Caster on other to make up for road crown. Some believe equal Caster. Some do not. Alignment is a series of compromises.

 

This are how mine was set up originally when I took it off to replaced all my bushings and ball joints.
Top is from the left front and bottom is from the right front

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I always set equal caster and the shim stack is rarely equal. The frames are hardly laser precision.

But looking at that photo, that suspension is due for some attention.


To the OP. When I take one of those apart I draw a diagram of all the suspension arms etc. I make notes on all shim locations as a starting point for reassembly. Saves a lot of time squaring and aligning car.

 

Yes to clarify not equal shim number but equal degrees of Caster camber etc. On street some will tune out road crown. On track we adjust say unequal camber like at willow springs where the most important turns are 2 and 8.