Shim Washer

Shim washers are the quiet fixers that make complex assemblies feel effortless. Our shims help you fine-tune clearances, correct stack-ups, and lock in alignment so parts run smoothly and reliably. If you’re chasing precision, durability, and a cleaner build, our shim washers bring everything into spec.

Built For Precision, Sold For Performance

Our shim washers are designed to adjust spacing between components with repeatable accuracy, so you can set preload, remove axial play, and center rotating parts without re-machining. They slip neatly into your assembly, support even loading, and protect mating surfaces, giving you a fast, predictable path to perfect fit. Whether you’re refining a gearbox, setting bearing height, or dialing in a seal, our shims keep tolerances tight and downtime low.

You’ll see the value of our shims anywhere spacing, alignment, or preload matters. In power transmission, they help settle gear mesh and backlash. In rotating assemblies, they take up endplay and bring bearings into optimum position. In pumps, motors, and precision tooling, they bring housings and covers into the perfect plane for better sealing and reduced wear. If your build requires small changes with big results, our shim washers provide a simple, serviceable solution you can trust.

Looking for complementary hardware to round out your build? Our Fender Washers spread load where you need extra bearing surface, our Flat Washers pair well under heads and nuts for everyday stability, and our Curved Spring Washers add compliant tension when vibration threatens to loosen things up.

DIN 988 Shim Washers

When your application calls for standardized precision, our DIN 988 shim washers deliver. These are thin, accurately sized washers used to adjust the spacing between components, ensuring proper alignment and a precise fit in demanding assemblies. Available in fine thickness increments and consistent inner and outer diameters, they make it easy to build, test, and tune without guesswork. Use them to set bearing depth, recover tolerance lost to wear, or fine-adjust gear and seal positions so your equipment runs smoother and lasts longer.

Materials, Thicknesses, and Fit

We offer DIN 988 and general-purpose shims in popular materials to match your environment and priority. Stainless steel helps resist corrosion in humid or washdown conditions. Carbon steel gives dependable strength in standard industrial settings. Non-ferrous options such as brass can be kinder to sensitive mating surfaces and help minimize galling in close fits. Each shim is produced with tight thickness control and clean edges for easy stacking, consistent preload, and reliable repeatability across runs.

Choosing The Right Shim

Start with your target clearance or preload, then select thickness based on the measured gap in your assembly. Consider material for the environment and mating parts, and choose inner and outer diameters that match the hardware or bores you’re working with. For fine tuning, stack multiple shims to reach your exact dimension and keep a consistent, repeatable build process across maintenance cycles. If you need help spec’ing a set for production, our team can recommend a practical mix that shortens assembly time and improves quality.

FAQs

What is a shim washer?

A shim washer is a thin, precisely sized washer used to adjust spacing between components in an assembly. It helps you achieve the exact clearance, alignment, or preload you need without modifying parts. By adding or removing a shim, you can fine-tune fit quickly and consistently.

What is the difference between a flat washer and a shim washer?

A flat washer primarily distributes load under a fastener head or nut to protect surfaces and improve stability. A shim washer is engineered for precise thickness control to set or correct spacing and alignment. In short, flat washers support; shim washers adjust.

What are the disadvantages of shim washers?

Shim washers require careful measurement to select the correct thickness, and stacking too many can complicate assembly if not managed well. In very high-vibration environments, improper selection or fit may affect long-term stability. Choosing the right material, diameter, and thickness keeps these tradeoffs minimal.

What is a shim washer used for?

A shim washer is used to remove axial play, set bearing height, correct gear and seal positions, and bring housings or covers into alignment. It’s a fast, non-destructive way to achieve precise fit during assembly, service, or rebuilds. Whenever small dimensional changes deliver big performance gains, a shim washer is the right tool.