VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1932 body shims

need to add shims to #2 and maybe #4 on passenger side as front passenger door is low. How do I determine how much shim (Thickness) to add? What is a good starting thickness?
What is the torque on the nut?
Can you tell me the process? i.e. loosen #2 and #4, add to #2 ( x thickness) torque nuts to x ft-lbs.
How do I know if I need to add to #4?

Thanks - as you can see, this is a frist for me and a little nervous.

Tom

Adding shims can be estimated by measuring from body bolt that will not have a shim to the bolt that will have a shim. Then measure from the front stationary body bolt to the the rear of the door. Then determine the amount you want the rear of the door to rise. The estimated shim thickness will be the rise distance times the ratio of distance between body bolts and body bolt to rear of door.

Since I am sure I have confused everyone (and maybe me as well). I will try to give an example. Assume that it is one foot between the body bolt without shim and next bolt with the shim. Assume that it is 3 feet from the bolt to the back of the door. Now you want 3/4 of an inch rise at the rear of the door. The shim will be approximately 1/4" thick. That is 1/3 the desired rise. As the 1 foot to 3 foot ratio increases the rise you will get. That is an estimate because the main sill likely will not bend as the other body bolts will restrict movement.

Hope it is clear as mud now.

Mr Chipper,thank you but I am lost. The door seems low along its entire length. When I relaxed BOTH #2 and #4, the door seems to be OK - not perfect but better. So do I add to #2? and start with 1/4"? I kind of see that a shim at #4 would flex the beam along the door downward then by - if that is true - I should add something ti#4 and not to #2?
The manual says add to #2 if door is low but that seems to me to push the beam up then further compressing the door...

I'm confused.

Tom

In your case you will need to put a shim under the body bolt closest to the front door post(#2?) to raise it up. That may be all that is needed. Or it may also lift the rear of the door too much so you will need a shim at #3 as well. I would start with 1/8" or so. Shims should be 1 1/2" X 3" or so. Metal or other non-compressible material so they support better. Modern wishbone style shims are for metal to metal not wood to metal. All body bolts need to be snug to check what and how much was changed. You'll get less confused after you try a few shims.

I did and it worked. Thank you.

Glad it worked out for you. Shimming is not as complicated as most think.