Body Panel Shims
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
Body Panel Shims
I am rebuilding my 73 F100. I completely disassembled all panels, blasted and epoxy primed. I am now in the process of mocking back up for filler primer, block sanding and panel alignment. When I go back to hang the front fenders, the upper attaching bolt located on the backside of the panel near the upper hinge, has a gap between the L shaped mount and the attaching j-nut. If I tighten the bolt the fender pulls in and the fender is not even with the cowl. Looks like it needs a shim between the mount and the panel? I know there were no shims there when I took the panel off. Why would this be? I have tried tightening the different fender bolts in different sequences and I left things loose trying to see if I could get it back to move back in alignment but nothing seems to work. Anyone ever experienced this, and is it normal to have to shim to get good gaps? Where can I find body shims?
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Dearborn Michigan
Any body shop will have shims. I'm sure if you ask them for a few they will give some to you or let you know who their supplier is. It is common on the older vehicles to have shims on the fenders and whatever else. I worked in the body shop field for 18 years and shims were a real lifesaver sometimes.
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Covington, La
I got a Box full of assorted from everybodies favorite store..
HARBOR FREIGHT.. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93754
5 bucks for 144 pc.
HARBOR FREIGHT.. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93754
5 bucks for 144 pc.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,305
Likes: 18
From: Boulder Creek, Ca
Not sure if the bolt pattern same on 72, but just completed the same process with fender on my 65 and faced w/ simular problem. Attempted to correct by shifting fender position and finally ended up placing a shim between fender and cawl where bolt is secured from inside cab thru opening on kick panel. Did not require a shim before, thought perhaps may have caused minor warpage thru the alum. bead blasting, and or fender repair, it was a very thin shim. May revisit and try again when time permits. Acquired the shims, along with other hard to comeby fasteners and clips, that I would throw in tool box during occasional salvage yard run.
dave
dave
Last edited by daveengelson; Aug 6, 2007 at 10:13 AM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 74
From: Hartford, AL
I think it is just the tightening sequences. I can get it closer, but not perfect. These fenders bow and twist based on the tightening sequences, I believe. Anyway,looks like I will be shimming unless I get really lucky when I go through the final assembly.
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