Multi-element wheel alignment shim assembly, and method of use

Abstract

Shim assembly configured to be positioned in a wheel assembly to correct alignment and formed of a plurality of flat, tapered elements securable together and positionally adjustable one relative to the other with selectable orientation of the tapers, preferably rotatably secured for mutual angular movement of the elements around an axis, indicia to display the angular relationship of the elements and of the shim assembly orientation, such that the taper of the elements add or subtract to establish the overall composite taper of the shim assembly with the indicia displaying such composite taper and/or providing orientation points for positioning of the shim assembly in a wheel assembly to correct alignment.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A shim assembly for correcting misalignment of toe and/or camber of a vehicle wheel spindle extending from a mounting plate attached to a vehicle.Iadd., .Iaddend.the shim assembly comprising: a first tapered shim element having opposed, nonparallel tapered surfaces;   a second tapered shim element having opposed, nonparallel tapered surfaces, at least a portion of one of the tapered surfaces of the first tapered shim element and at least a portion of one of the tapered surfaces of the second tapered shim element being adjacent to and in contact with each other.Iadd., and in which a plurality of spaced apart openings is defined through only one of the first and second tapered shim elements and the other of the first and second tapered shim elements is positioned inward of the openings.Iaddend.; and   connecting means rotatably securing the first tapered shim element to the second tapered shim element for mutual rotation around a common axis,   whereby the composite taper of the shim assembly may be varied by orienting the taper of the first tapered shim element relative to the taper of second tapered shim element. . .   
     
     
       2.  A shim assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: at least one of the-first and second tapered shim elements have defined therethrough a plurality of spaced apart openings..!.. .3. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 2 in which:   only one of the first and second shim elements have the spaced opening defined therethrough, and   the other of the first and second shim elements is positioned inward of the   
     
     
        openings..!.4. A shim assembly as set forth in claim . .2.!. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.in which: 
     
     
       the openings in at least one shim element are closed. 5. A shim assembly as set forth in claim . .2.!. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.in which: the openings in at least one shim element extend to the edge of the tapered   
     
     
        shim element . .and.!.. 6. A shim assembly as set forth in claim . .2.!. .Iadd.1 .Iaddend.in which: the openings are arranged in a circular pattern concentric with the common   
     
     
        axis. 7. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: taper display means are defined on the shim assembly to display the angular position of the taper of the first tapered shim element relative to the taper of the second tapered shim element,   
     
     
       whereby the composite taper of the shim assembly can be determined. 8. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 7 in which: the taper display means include indicia means defined on one of the tapered shims and indicator means defined on the other to indicate the relative taper positions of the two shim elements and the resulting composite taper of the shim assembly. 
     
     
         . A shim assembly as set for the in claim 8 in which: the taper indicia means are markings arranged in a circular pattern and the indicator means are a window opening defined in the shim element through   
     
     
        which a marking is displayed. 10. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: a dog projects from the adjacent surface of one of the shim elements; and   a plurality of ramp-sided detents are defined in a circular pattern concentric with the common axis in the adjacent surface of the other of the shim elements and positioned to releasably receive the dog in one of the detents,   whereby one shim element can be releasably secured in a selected engagement   
     
     
        position relative to the other shim element. 11. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 10 in which: taper indicia means are defined on one of the shim elements; and   indicator means are defined on the other shim element with the indicia means and indicator means positioning corresponding to dog and detents   
     
     
        engagement positions. 12. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which: taper orientation indicia means are defined on the shim assembly to indicate the relative position of the composite taper of the shim   
     
     
        assembly. . .13.  A shim assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which the connecting means comprise: an arcuate groove defined in one of the shim elements;   an arcuate lip defined in the other of the shim elements;   at least two opposed connectors positioned on one of the shim elements, one of the groove and lip being defined in the connectors on the shim element and the other of the groove and lip extending to engage the corresponding groove or lip at at least two opposed connectors at all rotational positions to secure the first and second shim elements together as a rotationally adjustable shim assembly..!.. .14. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 13 in which:   the groove is defined in sections in the connectors and the lip extends as a full circle and is journalled in the groove sections..!.. .15. A shim assembly as set forth in claim 13 in which:   at least one of the groove and lip have defined adjacent thereto a ramp   
     
     
        portion..!.16. An adjustable shim assembly for correcting wheel alignment, the shim assembly comprising: a first tapered shim element having opposed, at least partially flat, nonparallel surfaces;   a second tapered shim element having opposed, at least partially flat, nonparallel surfaces with at least one of the flat surfaces of the first tapered shim element being in contact with at least one of the flat surface of the second tapered shim element;   connecting means rotatably attaching the first tapered shim element to the second shim element for rotation around an axis perpendicular to the contacting surfaces of the first and second tapered shim elements; . .and.!.   taper indicia means defined on the shim assembly to display the rotational position of the first tapered shim element relative to the second tapered shim element and thus the composite taper of the shim assembly.Iadd.; and   releasable locking means for indexing and securing the first and second shim elements at positions corresponding to the taper indicia   
     
     
        means.Iaddend.. . .17.  An adjustable shim assembly as set forth in claim 16 in which: taper display means are defined on the shim assembly to display the amount   
     
     
        of composite taper of the shim assembly..!.18. An adjustable shim assembly as set forth in . .claims.!. .Iadd.claim .Iaddend.16 . .or 17.!. in which: orientation indicia means are defined on the shim assembly to identify the relative direction of the composite taper of the shim assembly. . .19. An adjustable shim assembly as set forth in claim 16 in which:   releasable locking means for indexing and securing the first and second shim elements at positions corresponding to the taper display   
     
     
        means..!.    A method for compensating for wheel misalignment of camber and/or toe in a wheel carried on a spindle assembly releasably secured to . .an.!. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.suspension plate . .at.!. .Iadd.by fasteners connecting .Iaddend.abutting surfaces thereof, comprising: measuring the misalignment of the wheel;   adjusting a shim assembly comprising two tapered shim elements rotatably attached one tapered shim element to the other tapered shim element around an axis of rotation.Iadd., one tapered shim element having spaced openings defined therethrough and the other tapered shim element being positioned inside of the openings, .Iaddend.by rotating . .at least.!. one of the shim elements relative to the other to establish the desired corrective composite taper of the shim assembly;   positioning the adjusted shim assembly in a predetermined orientation between the suspension plate and the spindle assembly; and   securing the spindle assembly to the suspension plate with the shim assembly therebetween .Iadd.with the securing fasteners extending through the openings in one shim element .Iaddend.to reposition the wheel and spindle assembly relative to the suspension plate with the spindle in   
     
     
        proper alignment. 21. A method for compensating for wheel misalignment as set forth in claim 20 in which: the shim assembly includes taper indicia means defined on one shim element, and   indicator means defined on the other shim element and the composite taper is determined by aligning selected of the taper indicia means with the   
     
     
        indicator means. 22. A method for compensating for wheel misalignment as set forth in claim 21 in which: the taper indicia means comprise a plurality of marking arranged in a circle and the indicator means comprise an opening defined in the shim element and the composite taper is determined by positioning a selected one of the markings in the . .window.!. .Iadd.opening.Iaddend..