There are 2 types of "shims"
The metal shim, fitted to one side only between the clamp and the chassis
rail is to align the rack at a true 90 degrees to the steering shaft. The
top of the steering shaft is clamped to the scuttle and the shims are fitted
to ensure that there is no stress on the shaft to rack pinion joint.
The paper shims, if used, are to take up any tollerance between the clamp
and the tubular rack casing.
This isn't so much to prevent the rack tube from rotating - there is no
"incentive" for it to do so. It is to prevent the rack tube from shifting
from side to side in reaction to the movement of the rack inside the tube.
Even slight movement here results in sloppy steering.
Guy
----- Original Message -----
From <DLancer7676 at cs.com>
To: <wolfbj@prodigy.net>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 26, 2003 10:42 AM
Subject: Re: Steering Rack ??*
> In a message dated 11/25/03 5:32:44 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> wolfbj@prodigy.net writes:
>
>
> > I think you are thinking of the wrong shim. I also have the thick metal
> > shim
> > on the drivers side where it mounts to the frame. The shim I am talking
about
> > is around the rack itselt where the frame brackets clamp to the rack.
The
> > shim is shown in the VB catalog, but no part number.
> >
> > It provides the little extra grip and prevents the rack from rotating. I
have
> > been informed that without these shims, the rack will rotate and I won't
> > forget it (LOL). It has been suggested to use masking tape, but I had
some
> > gasket material that was about the same thickness as what I took out so
I cut
> > my own.
> >
>
> Hmmm--Nope--none of my three Spridgets had anything more than the thicker
> metal shim on one side or the other depending on the model. And IT is
critical,
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