1998xjspt
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Orlando, FL
a friend of mine says ima really need them but im thinking i dont..are shims a must for any lift? im in the process of installing an RE3.5 and i dont want to buy shims if i dont have to
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axle degree shims!! need help
- Thread starter 1998xjspt
- Start date
SolarBell
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Wheat Ridge, CO
Are you installing an SYE? If so, yes. If not, no.
VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
the need for shims, and the degree of shimming, is dependent on your pinion angle and if you have a SYE installed.
1998xjspt
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Orlando, FL
anyone know a good cheep and easy way to calculate the degree of shim i need?
Lurch
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Long Beach, CA
Buy a cheap angle finder and measure your pinion and driveshaft angles. Then do math.
2001XJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Canton, MI
I believe there is a rough estimate chart...google it. or do the angle finder thing. Get steel ones and NOT aluminum. They become brittle and spilt. Also, they are not expensive unless you think $30 is expensive...I'm gonna say you need a 2-3 degree shim though, however, it jsut depends on each jeep. I have seen jeeps need them and others with the exact same lift and within 1-2 model years of one another not need them.
Last edited:
1998xjspt
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Orlando, FL
so theres a chance that when i put my SYE in i wont need shims?!
SolarBell
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Wheat Ridge, CO
Possible, but very doubtful. Even a couple of degrees can induce some serious vibrations.
1998xjspt
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Orlando, FL
what if i install shims and no SYE? the slip yoke is not flling out but i do feel vibes around 25-35mph. not sure if vibes are coming because of slip yoke or pinion angle
- Location
- Rainy side of Washington
Stop screwing around on the internet and measure. The only way to be sure is to measure the angles, every jeep and every lift is different, depends on brand, lift height, year of jeep, whether the lift is leaf only, shackle only, or both, etc etc etc. Also depends on how worn the springs are and even a bit from lot to lot probably. Just measure, the angle finder is like 10 bucks at home depot and will tell you for sure.
mako my day
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Aliso Viejo
Roger that.
X2 - changing the shackles directly affects the axle angle and thus interferes with the shim calculation.
My method is not scientific but worked for me -
Drive at different speeds
Listen for vibration from the drive line, especially when accelerating
Eyeball the angle and add shims, starting small (2 degrees)
Repeat until vibration is gone
This assumes the rest of the vehicle is sound and your shaft is balanced.
I've seen people with SYE who did not need shims
I've seen people who resolved it through a TC drop
I've seen people with SYE and shims that still have vibrations
My method is not scientific but worked for me -
Drive at different speeds
Listen for vibration from the drive line, especially when accelerating
Eyeball the angle and add shims, starting small (2 degrees)
Repeat until vibration is gone
This assumes the rest of the vehicle is sound and your shaft is balanced.
I've seen people with SYE who did not need shims
I've seen people who resolved it through a TC drop
I've seen people with SYE and shims that still have vibrations
Lurch
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Long Beach, CA
Holy god people an angle finder is like $6.99, just do it right.
VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
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