Core Support Shim Questions??
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Core Support Shim Questions??
What exactly are the shims shimming up? Are there certain points that have to be aligned or level? How do you check the position to determine if the core support is levelled in place or not?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
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From: Florence, SC
I would like to know the answer to this as well.
I replaced the original core support on my 1985 F150 two years ago. The replacement was from a 1986 truck in the junkyard and it was exactly the same except for the shims. On my truck, there must have been 5 or shims stacked up on each side, which looked pretty bad. The 1986 truck used a thick, one piece block and only one or two shims on each side.
I replaced the original core support on my 1985 F150 two years ago. The replacement was from a 1986 truck in the junkyard and it was exactly the same except for the shims. On my truck, there must have been 5 or shims stacked up on each side, which looked pretty bad. The 1986 truck used a thick, one piece block and only one or two shims on each side.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
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From: Virginia
Aligning the sheetmetal is a time consuming job. I have spent hours doing it, mainly because I don't know what I am doing I guess.
Things I have learned doing several vehicles;
Keep and mark the number and location of the factory shims if possible.
You have to get the doors right with the cab, then you can get the front fenders right with the doors.
Try to center the front clip as best you can, but you will find out later if the hood opening is not square with the hood, you may need to shift the whole assembly left or right. The hood can be moved, but that may throw the gap behind the hood off to the cowl. That's what I mean about time consuming. You usually have to go back and keep re-adjusting everything till you finally get it all worked out.
As far as the height of the clip and the number of shims under the radiator support, I use the fender to the door as a gauge as well as the centering of the fan in the fan shroud. I have had the fan rub the fan shroud because the front clip was too low and did not have enough shims.
Things I have learned doing several vehicles;
Keep and mark the number and location of the factory shims if possible.
You have to get the doors right with the cab, then you can get the front fenders right with the doors.
Try to center the front clip as best you can, but you will find out later if the hood opening is not square with the hood, you may need to shift the whole assembly left or right. The hood can be moved, but that may throw the gap behind the hood off to the cowl. That's what I mean about time consuming. You usually have to go back and keep re-adjusting everything till you finally get it all worked out.
As far as the height of the clip and the number of shims under the radiator support, I use the fender to the door as a gauge as well as the centering of the fan in the fan shroud. I have had the fan rub the fan shroud because the front clip was too low and did not have enough shims.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,575
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Thanks Franklin. That helped some. I think I had two on the passenger side and three aon the drivers side as far as shims go. However, my pile of parts got scattered and I dont remember for sure.
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