Do I purchase axle shim before installing Dakar leaf ?

Hi,
I’m ready to install my full OME lift on my 2010 AC TRD OR. Will you suggest to put in place an axle shim at the initial installation ?
Or wait to measure the pinion angle first and reinstall the shim after ? I want captive steel shim with the centered hole and not the slide in type.

From the forum some didn't install axle shim with Dakar; what is the consensus? I purchased the OME CB drop.

Which shim angle do you suggest 2 or 2.5 or 3 degree ? I saw most use the 3 degree on lifted Tacoma.

For the shim installation, is the shim thicker side should be install to the front of the truck ? I never did before.
Thanks, Martin

 

I did the OME CB drop, and didn't need to shim the Dakars on my DCSB.

 

I asked essentially the same question over in the suspension forum a few days ago - and got mostly silence in response. But one person said they always put in 3* shims and a CB drop when lifting the rear by about 3" (which is what a Dakar does) and have never had a problem doing so (sounded like that person had lifted more than one truck).

Another person said they didn't put in a shim but they had a CB drop which proved mostly OK though they have a higher speed vibe and may need to add a shim.

Reading through a lot of threads it really sounded like just installing a 3* shim when you are putting on the new springs was a sensible starting point (someone said 1* per inch of lift was a good rule of thumb). People mentioned get steel shims rather than aluminum. And for durability get a shim with just a hole rather than a slot since you'd be installing with everything apart anyway you don't need the slot.

As to the direction of the shim on installation the goal is to angle the pinion upward. Shim direction thus depends on whether the axle is on top of or underneath the spring.

For a Tacoma in stock configuration the axle is under the spring and so the THIN part of the shim goes FORWARD. If you have an axle on top of the spring then do exactly the opposite. Again, just remember you want to rotate the pinion upward and then think it through!

It seems also there are no guarantees that what works for one truck will work for another. And there is more than one way to get drive line angles acceptable. So someone might need to do nothing, another person will do a shim, someone else a CB drop and someone else might need both.

My plan is to install a 3* shim during my spring install and when I'm done check the drive line angles. I'm hoping I'll be done at that point, but if I have to do a CB drop too that is no big deal. What I don't want to have to do is go back in and install a shim after I've put the whole thing together again. I think putting in a 3* shim from the start gives me the best odds of not having to dick with it again. But nothing is for certain in drive line vibes it seems...

 

I never ran a CB drop or shims with the 3" All-Pro springs (had over 50,000 miles on them when I sold that truck), but did notice some vibs before I got it re-geared (ended up with 35" tires and 4.56 gears). The CB drop is recommended with OME kit though and it is an easy enough install, so I'd start there. Shims often take some trial and error to get right.

 

I have the CB drop only on mine with the Dakar springs. I don't have any vibes. My idea on it was I was going to install it and if I experienced vibes I would start with some shims after the fact to figure it out. Didn't have any so I'm glad I didn't spend the money to have them sitting around. I've got 70,000 miles since the install and still vibe free.

 

I have the OME Carrier Bearing Drop and have pretty noticeable vibrations after 20mph. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need shims but, not too sure what degree to go with. I've been watching videos on how to measure the angles but...I'm super busy and think I'm just going to drop the truck off with a local mechanic and have him measure them for me.

 

Just installed my Dakars over the weekend. I bought used and it came with the shims so I just threw em in there. Figured it couldn't hurt... No vibes or humming at all.

 

Any idea what degree shims they are?

 

I wouldn't do shims or cb drop until after the lift and only if you have vibes. I didn't use either and the Dakar pack actually fixed a slight vibration that was there when stock.

 

Installed the Dakars a couple months ago on my DCSB without a CB drop or shims and I don't have any noticeable vibes. Seems like it depends truck by truck

 

I believe 3 degree. I know the guy told me when I purchased them but it was a while back
I'm all for helping the pinion angle as long as it doesn't compromise anything else

 

My truck is already lifted with the Dakar leaf pack installed.

It certainly does seem it's a truck by truck thing..

 

I think I'm just going to buy some 3 degree shims and hope it helps. I just need to get this fixed as the truck is my DD

 

TheosTaco have you tried it with the CB drop removed?

 

I did the cb drop with the dakars and had bad vibes. Installed the shims and vibes went away. Depends on the truck.

 

I'll go home on my lunch break in 15 mins and remove the CB Drop and see if it makes a difference. I'll post up in about an hour with the results.

 

What degree shims & did you leave the CB drop?

 

3°. Yes

 

Just installed new dakars on my dclb this past weekend and installed the 3 degree shims that bolt though the centre pin. No vibration. I have the cb drop but haven't installed it and won't because I am vibration free with the shims. It is way easier to add before installing springs. Rule of thumb is 1 degree per inch of rear lift.

I also suggest doing oz's sqeaky Dakar fix prior to install. Takes 2 minutes.

 

I have the dakars with the extra leaf. Im ran an axle shim only for 30,000 then I added a cb drop 5,000 ago and it eliminated all axle vibes for me.