Alignment Shims with Fitting Position Front and Rear, Front Axle for FPV COBRA BF UTE

Wheel alignment shims are thin, precisely sized spacers fitted at a suspension mounting point to change camber or caster. On vehicles where a control arm or suspension component is mounted with shims rather than an adjustable cam or bolt, adding, removing or moving shims is how the alignment is set. After a lift or component change, the right shim kit lets a technician bring the angles back within specification. Shim designs vary between vehicles, so use the vehicle search to find alignment shims to suit your BF UTE COBRA.

What Do BF UTE COBRA Alignment Shims Do?

An alignment shim is a flat plate, usually steel, made to a set thickness and shaped to fit around a mounting bolt. It sits between a suspension component, such as a control arm's mounting bracket, and the chassis or frame it bolts to. Adding a shim moves the component away from its mount by the thickness of the shim. Removing one lets it move closer.

On suspension designs that use shims for adjustment, that small movement changes the position of the control arm and therefore the angle of the wheel. Shims are made in a range of thicknesses, so a technician can build up the exact spacing needed to reach the correct setting. Once the shims are in place and the bolts are tightened, the setting is fixed until the shims are changed again.

How Shims Change BF UTE COBRA Camber and Caster

Many shim-adjusted control arms are mounted to the chassis at two points, one towards the front of the vehicle and one towards the rear. Where the shims are placed at those two points determines which angle changes.

Adding or removing the same thickness of shims at both mounting points moves the whole arm in or out, which changes camber, the inward or outward tilt of the wheel. Adding shims at one mounting point and removing them at the other pivots the arm slightly, moving one end further than the other, which changes caster, the backward tilt of the steering axis. By combining the two, a technician can set camber and caster together.

The exact relationship between shim thickness and the change in each angle depends on the vehicle's suspension design, which is why alignment equipment is used to measure the result as shims are adjusted.

Where Are Alignment Shims Used on Your BF UTE COBRA?

Shims are used on suspension designs where the manufacturer chose fixed mounting points with shim adjustment, rather than eccentric cams or slotted holes. This is common on some control arm mounting arrangements, and on some vehicles the factory alignment is set entirely with shims.

Shims can also be used to correct angles where there is no factory adjustment at all, or where the factory adjustment has reached its limit. Their thin, flat design makes them suitable for tight spaces where a larger correction part would not fit. Whether your vehicle uses shims depends on its suspension design, so check the vehicle's specifications or ask a technician.

BF UTE COBRA Alignment Shims After a Lift

When a 4WD is lifted, the suspension arms sit at a different angle, which moves camber and caster away from where the manufacturer set them. On vehicles with shim-adjusted mounts, adding or rearranging shims can bring the angles back toward specification.

Shims suit small to moderate corrections. Each shim moves the arm only a short distance, and there is a practical limit to how many can be stacked at one mounting point before the bolts no longer have enough thread engagement or the mount becomes less secure. Where a lift moves the angles further than shims can correct, other parts such as replacement control arms may be needed. A wheel alignment check after the lift shows how far the angles are from specification.

BF UTE COBRA Shims or Camber Bolts?

The right choice depends on how the vehicle's suspension is designed to be adjusted. Shim-adjusted designs need shims, because the mounting points are built to accept them, and an eccentric bolt would not fit. Suspension with a strut bolted to the steering knuckle, or control arms mounted through slotted holes with cams, generally suits camber bolts or replacement cams instead.

Some vehicles combine both, using cams at one point and shims at another. The vehicle's suspension design decides which part is needed. Using the wrong type of adjustment part will not fit correctly and may not hold the setting.

Choosing Shim Thickness for Your BF UTE COBRA

Shim kits are made in different thicknesses, and some contain shims of several thicknesses so the spacing can be built up precisely. Thinner shims allow fine adjustment, while thicker shims make larger changes with fewer pieces.

Using fewer, thicker shims where possible keeps the stack simpler and more stable than many thin ones. Check the thickness of each kit before ordering, and consider how much change is needed. A technician measuring the alignment can determine the total thickness required at each mounting point.

Signs BF UTE COBRA Alignment Shims Have Moved or Gone Missing

Shims are held in place by the clamping force of the mounting bolts. If those bolts lose tension, or if shims were not refitted after other suspension work, the alignment can change. Signs include a vehicle that pulls to one side, steering that feels different from left to right, uneven tyre wear on the inside or outside edge, and a steering wheel that is no longer centred.

During any suspension work that involves removing a shim-adjusted component, note the number, thickness and position of the shims before removal, so they can be refitted in the same place. Missing or mixed-up shims are a common cause of alignment problems after a repair.

BF UTE COBRA Corrosion and Shim Condition

Because shims sit between metal surfaces under clamping force, corrosion can build up between them, particularly on a 4WD exposed to water, mud and road salt. Corroded shims can lose thickness, swell with rust scale or stick together, making later adjustment difficult and changing the alignment slightly.

When shims are removed during suspension work, check them for corrosion, bending or damage, and replace any that are not in good condition. Clean the mounting surfaces before refitting, so the shims sit flat and the bolts clamp evenly.

Does Your BF UTE COBRA Need an Alignment After Fitting Shims?

Yes. Shims change the suspension geometry, and their purpose is to set the alignment. They should be fitted as part of a wheel alignment, using alignment equipment to measure camber and caster as the shims are adjusted. Fitting shims without measuring the result can leave the angles further from specification than before. Toe should also be checked and set once camber and caster are correct.

Fitting BF UTE COBRA Alignment Shims: An Overview

Fitting shims usually involves supporting the vehicle, loosening the control arm mounting bolts enough to move the arm, inserting or removing shims at each mounting point, and retightening the bolts to the manufacturer's torque specification. The alignment is measured, and the process repeated until the angles are within specification. Mounting bolts must have enough thread engagement through the full shim stack, which may require longer bolts if shims are added. Shim adjustment should be carried out by a qualified technician with wheel alignment equipment.

Find the Right BF UTE COBRA Shim Kit with Formula 4x4

Alignment shims sit within the Formula 4x4 alignment parts range, and workshops can stock up with bulk alignment shims.

Start by confirming that your vehicle's suspension uses shim adjustment, and have a wheel alignment check to see how far camber and caster sit from specification. Consider how much change is needed and which shim thicknesses suit it. Search by your BF UTE COBRA to find wheel alignment shims to suit your BF UTE COBRA. If you are unsure what your 4WD needs, contact the Formula 4x4 team.