Swivel shims

What do they do? As I understand theyre there to determine the gap between ABS sensor and axle joint. If this is the case how do I determine the gap? The reason I ask being that my offside has 6 shims of various thicknesses. The nearside has none!! I curently have both swivels in bits and want to avoid having a dash lit up like a christmas tree or damaging sensors..
Thanks

aup mate the shims are there to determine the tension on the bearings and are set by using a spring balance onto the arm where the front track rod (drag link) fits, so that needs removing along with the main track rod, the cv joint and stub axle.
more shims = less tension
less shims = more tension
this will vary from one swivel ball to another


hope that helps

Nick

Thanks, seems I should have referred to my trusty haynes before posting!
Guess some cheapy fishing scales will do the job?

gR@HaM said:

Thanks, seems I should have referred to my trusty haynes before posting!
Guess some cheapy fishing scales will do the job?

Click to expand...

correct
but set the swivel preload to 12-14 Lb and you shouldn't have to adjust them again in 6 months

i did mine without the seals bolted up as it says in the haynes book of lies
and i also stripped and rebuilt them in the vice, it's much easier and saves sore legs and a bad back.