Skills and Practices Flyer

An occasional newsletter for sharing learnings from maintenance activities.

SHIMS for shaft alignment

• Shim Material
Use only pre-cut stainless steel shims.
Plastic shims are acceptable as a temporary alternative, provided they are not exposed to heat.
Shims made of steel (whether metal coated or not) or brass must not be used. These materials
corrode over time and this adversely affects the alignment condition.
Hand cut shims are to be avoided at all costs as they are extremely difficult to cut without leaving
burrs. These burrs will upset alignment corrections, and may cause an injury.

Burrs and sharp

Hand cut shim edges

If you absolutely have to use hand cut shims, make sure that you remove any burrs and round off
corners so they will not catch when inserted.

• Shim Size
Use shims that fit the size of the machine foot. Note that large shims are available from shim
suppliers. These come in sizes up to 200 x 100 mm. Custom sizes are also available. Check
your shim requirements well in advance of the alignment so that you have the right shims for the
job.
Do not use shims on only one side of the hold down bolt. Tightening the bolt will distort the
machine.

Recommended Acceptable Unacceptable

Shims Flyer.doc Rod Bennett 03-59796717 6/05/2005 1/2

Reference: Western Port Shaft Alignment standard WENG10T013S.doc
• Inserting Shims
When inserting shims, remove the shim stack and place thin
shims between the thicker shims. Do not try to insert shims
without removing the stack as this is difficult to do without
damaging the shim, or causing it to fold over on itself.

Make sure that you leave clearance between the hold down bolt and the shims. If you don’t, the
shims will be damaged when the bolt is tightened, and your corrections will not produce the
expected result.

Shim damaged by hold

down bolt

• Number of Shims
No more than four shims should be used under each foot. If necessary, replace several thin shims
with fewer thicker shims.
Too many shims will make the footing less rigid. The alignment condition may then depend on
the torque on the hold down bolts.

• Reusing Shims
If a machine to be aligned has some shims already fitted, they may be reused, providing they
satisfy the following conditions:
They are made of stainless steel.
They are not corroded.
They are not buckled, bent, or burred.
They are not bruised
They are free of paint
They are of consistent thickness.
The shims shown below are damaged and must be thrown away. Do not try and use them!

Shims Flyer.doc Rod Bennett 03-59796717 6/05/2005 2/2

Reference: Western Port Shaft Alignment standard WENG10T013S.doc