OME Dakar springs + standard length shackles= caster correction shims needed?

[Henry James the 47th]

I'm trying to find out if caster correction shims are required on the front axle with OME Dakar springs, using standard length shackles. I've done the search for this, and the mentions about caster correction shims seems to revolve around longer shackles only as far as I have seen. Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

And if shims are needed, what angle?

 

[CNCFJ40]

Short answer: No

Longer front shackles effectively rotate the axle forward, thereby changing the caster angle. Shims return the axle rotation - and therefore caster - to their proper places. So you shouldn't need shims with standard-length shackles. HTH.

 

[madams557]

Longer front shackles effectively rotate the axle forward, thereby changing the caster angle. Shims return the axle rotation - and therefore caster - to their proper places. So you shouldn't need shims with standard-length shackles. HTH.

I agree. I added the entire OME/Dakar 2.5 lift to my FJ45 and no shim was required. I did have the caster checked and it was only slightly off from center. The truck drives well enough though.

 

[Pin_Head]

OME is might proud of their springs, especially the patented axle mounting surface that provides the proper caster angle. As long as you use their recommended lenght shackles on a stock undamaged cruiser, it should be fine.

 

[D'Animal]

X - 2

I agree. I added the entire OME/Dakar 2.5 lift to my FJ45 and no shim was required. The truck drives really well.

 

[Henry James the 47th]

Thanks a lot,

you've all answered my question really clearly.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

And this thread answered my question too.

I'm doing OME springs on my 1980 HJ45 and took the front end apart today. I expected to see shim plates but there aren't any. I seem to recall stock steel shims on both the 82 BJ42 and HJ47. I guess I can just run without them.

 

[Chamba]

While I agree with the others, I must say that I put shims on both my troopy and my 40 (both with OMEs), and it did improve the tracking. That is not to say that it was bad without the shims-far from it. However, the shims did improve it.

I have the US OME shackles on my 47, and the Aussie OME shackles on my 40. The Aussie ones are shorter (the same length as factory shackles) in order to keep the Police from giving out tickets for having a vehicle that is too lifted when you get stopped at the plethora of random road safety checks we have here.

Cheers,

Josh