Shims

[Carlos Berengueras]

Can some one tell me the function or use of the shims on top and bottom of the steerink knuckle and how meny should rhere be.? Thanks

[LarrBeard]

Welcome to the forum.

Could you share the year and model of your Jeep with us? That would make it easier to give you accurate information.

[bmorgil]

Give us a little more information Carlos. I am guessing you are talking about the shims under the bearing caps on the steering King Pin Bearings on the front Axle. If that's what you are referring to, the shims provide the proper preload for the King Pin Bearings. The amount of shims, depends on the amount of shims needed to provide the correct preload.

https://willysjeepforum.kaiserwillys.com/showthread.php?3269-Setting-Knuckle-Pre-Load

https://willysjeepforum.kaiserwillys.com/showthread.php?3208-Question-about-steering-knuckle-caps

[Carlos Berengueras]

Thank for the fast answers. I refer to the 1952 M38. The ones located between Flange cap and steering knuckle (as seen in page 264, fig 105, of the TM9-8012 manual) I would like to know the reason and function of them and if they have something to do with death wobble, how many of them, etc. Regards from Barcelona, Spain

[bmorgil]

OK Carlos, refer to my previous post here, I was referring to the shims you are speaking of. Click on both links, they should help you. This should be the information you are looking for.

Yes they have plenty to do with "Death Wobble". You should find the information you need in the links I posted. Let me know if you need more help.

We need to see some pictures of Barcelona, Amigo!

Click on these links from the Tech Section of this Forum:

https://willysjeepforum.kaiserwillys.com/showthread.php?3269-Setting-Knuckle-Pre-Load

https://willysjeepforum.kaiserwillys.com/showthread.php?3208-Question-about-steering-knuckle-caps

[TJones]

https://www.kaiserwillys.com/products/king-pin-bearing-shim-pack-fits-41-71-jeep-willys-with-dana-25-27/

Is this what you’re referring to Carlos?

It really doesn’t give much details on the shims and placement and tolerances but it’s a start!!

[Carlos Berengueras]

Thanks a lot. This information give me a lot of light and knowledge on the shims. Here a couple of Barcelona photos. Enjoy them.
1135511355

[bmorgil]

Awesome photo's Carlos! What a beautiful place.

[davide]

Hi Carlos. If I can make a suggestion...
While you are making some shim adjustments, replace the king pin bearings too. I'm willing to bet that they have seen better days.

BTW, Barcelona is one of my favorite cities. I am headed back there next year and am looking forward to it.

[56willys]

Looks like you got some good info here, Carlos. I've never touched king pins before, so can't be much help. Those photos look really cool! Love the nighttime lights. That beach in the foreground looks like a fun place to drive that old M38!

[gmwillys]

Welcome Carlos,

Looks like you have some pretty good information already. In my experience, I would measure the shims removed and put the same shims back when re-assembling. I always figured that there were slight differences between castings of the knuckle steering bearing pivot height, so the shims were put in to get the correct clearances. The video that TJones provided is pretty darned good.

[bmorgil]

gm is all over it. Start with what was there and adjust it with shims to get it within specification. As gm said, every component you change will probably affect the preload.