Shimming the MkIV chassis suspension tabs?

[cc2Arider]

Sorry for the post if this has already been discussed...not getting the search results... :(

I'm pretty sure this is not a unique question, but if I wanted to shim the gaps between the suspension mounting tabs and the suspension arms on my MkIV chassis before torqueing down the bolts, can I do that?

I'd rather not put clamping stresses on the tabs if I can avoid it, although not sure if this is a big deal or not. Any guidance will be appreciated :)

Thanks,
Craig C

[F500guy]

The manual has it in the instructions to install washers in the front. I did it also for the rear as the upper A-arm did not fit well. I have a picture in my build thread (Post #20) about the rear suspension how I sanded the bushings down and added washer because the fit was less than optimal.

[cc2Arider]

Yep...Thanks F500Guy,

I forgot to add that I have the recommended shim washer in place for the lower front control arms already. I , too, noticed some extra space on all 4 lower front suspension arm mounting tabs even after doing that...it wouldn't surprise me if the rear suspension tabs needed some shimming, also. I can see why they are left a little loose from the factory (variability in chassis fab/welding/powdercoating thickness), so I'm not complaining about a lack of quality...just wondering if this is something that only I will find value in, or if others have done similar --> sounds like you have: Rock On! :cool:

Craig C

[JohnK]

For the reasons you mentioned, there is a lot of fit variability in the suspension mounts. The good news is that they are pretty easily adjusted. Other than the shims that the instructions call out for on the front lower control arms, all other control arm mounting points can be "massaged" to get the proper fit without using shims. In my case, they were too narrow. some people will use a large crescent wrench to adjust them, but this risks bending the tab in the middle, which is less than ideal. A quick trip to the hardware store for some threaded rod, washers and nuts and you can make your own mounting tab adjuster. I wouldn't shim the other control arm mounts unless the gap is inordinately large.

[cc2Arider]

Thanks John,

I heard of others using a type of all-thread tool, and seen this(on TV) to spread the joints apart slightly (after powder-coating added more material than desired), but I've not heard this being done to narrow the joints...although I can see how it would work, nonetheless.

I suppose most builders just torque down the supplied fasteners to achieve the same thing...it just seemed "inelegant" to me :)

Thanks for the feedback!

Craig C