Universal Alignment Shims

Whiteline alignment shims make precise camber and caster adjustment simple on vehicles that use shim-type suspension adjustment. Placed at the inner control arm mounting points, they move the arm in small, accurate steps, so you can bring wheel alignment back into specification or set it up for better handling and tyre life.

Shims come in a choice of thicknesses for fine or larger corrections, and in pack sizes to suit individual alignment jobs or high-volume workshop use. They work with factory brackets and with compatible Whiteline camber and caster adjusters on applicable vehicles.

What Alignment Shims Do

On many vehicles, the inner end of a control arm bolts to the chassis through a mounting bracket or pivot. Alignment shims are thin, precisely sized spacers fitted between the arm?s mounting point and the chassis. Adding, removing or redistributing them moves the arm?s position, which changes the angle of the wheel.

Shim-type adjustment is simple, strong and stable. Once the fasteners are tightened, the shims hold the setting firmly under load, so the alignment stays where the technician set it.

Camber and Caster Explained

Camber

Camber is the inward or outward tilt of the top of the wheel, viewed from the front. Negative camber, with the top of the wheel tilted inwards, helps the outside tyre keep more rubber on the road in corners. Too much camber in either direction, or uneven camber from side to side, causes uneven tyre wear and can make the car pull.

Caster

Caster, or castor, is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis, viewed from the side. More positive caster gives heavier, more stable steering and stronger self-centring. Uneven caster from side to side is a common cause of a vehicle pulling to one side.

How Shim Adjustment Works

On shim-adjusted control arms, the arm usually mounts through two pivot points. The way shims are added or removed at each point decides which angle changes:

• Changing both pivot points equally moves the whole arm inwards or outwards, which mainly changes camber.
• Changing one pivot point more than the other angles the arm forwards or backwards, which mainly changes caster.

By combining these moves, a technician can set camber and caster independently to the required specification. Small changes in shim thickness produce small, predictable changes in angle, which makes shims ideal for fine-tuning.

Choosing Shim Thickness and Pack Size

Each listing shows the shim thickness, the number of shims in the pack and the applications it suits.

• Thinner shims allow fine adjustment and precise final settings.
• Thicker shims allow larger corrections with fewer pieces, which keeps the shim stack neat and stable.
• Combining thicknesses lets you reach almost any setting within the adjustment range.

Smaller packs suit individual alignment jobs or home mechanics working on their own vehicle. Bulk packs suit alignment specialists and workshops that service shim-adjusted vehicles regularly, offering better per-shim value and fewer reorders.

Using Shims with Camber and Caster Adjusters

Alignment shims can be used on their own with factory brackets, or alongside compatible Whiteline camber and caster adjusters on applicable vehicles.

Where an adjuster provides the main change in geometry, shims allow the final setting to be fine-tuned. This is especially useful on lowered or performance vehicles, where the factory adjustment range may not be enough to reach the target settings.

Signs Your Alignment Needs Correcting

• Uneven or rapid tyre wear, especially on the inner or outer edges
• The vehicle pulling or drifting to one side on a level road
• A steering wheel that isn?t centred when driving straight
• Light, vague or unstable steering at speed
• Changes in handling after suspension work, ride height changes or a kerb strike

If you notice any of these, have the alignment measured first. The measurements will show whether camber, caster or toe is out of specification, and how much correction is needed.

Installation and Wheel Alignment

Shim adjustment should be carried out with the vehicle on an alignment machine, so each change can be measured accurately. As a general guide:

• Measure the existing alignment and note the target settings before loosening anything.
• Support the suspension and loosen the control arm mounting fasteners only enough to add or remove shims.
• Use clean, undamaged shims, and keep each stack neat and fully seated.
• Tighten the fasteners to the manufacturer?s specification, then re-measure.
• Repeat until camber and caster are within specification, then set toe as the final step.

Shims set camber and caster only. Toe is adjusted separately through the steering tie rods.

Who Alignment Shims Suit

Alignment shims suit wheel alignment and tyre specialists, suspension workshops and mechanics servicing vehicles with shim-type adjustment. They?re also used by performance enthusiasts fine-tuning camber and caster for better grip and steering feel, and by experienced home mechanics correcting alignment after suspension repairs or upgrades.

Shop Alignment Shims

Universal alignment shims sit in our universal parts range, and bulk alignment shims suit busy workshops.

Choose the thickness and pack size that suit your vehicle or workshop, then order online for delivery or pick up your shims from an authorised Whiteline reseller. Every Whiteline component is covered by our warranty and fitment guarantee, and you have 60 days to return anything that isn?t right for the job. Get alignment set accurately, and keep it there, with Whiteline.