So I got to thinking... about TABs

[DMC1983]

I replaced my tabs back in March for obvious reasons and I was wondering if there was any correlation between having shims and bent TABs.

The Driver's side trailing arm doesnt have any shims for alignment and the bolt was straight as an arrow. Now, the wheel tracks fine and I had the alignment checked after doing so to be on the safe side.

As for the passenger side, there were several shims in place and the bolt was bent in a similar manner as shown on John's (SpecialTAuto) website.

Is there anyone else that has had similar experiences?

[EdR5150]

I'm not sure how shims would cause bent TABs. One of my stock bolts was bent, but I had shims on both sides of the car. Loose TABs are the primary cause of bent TABs. Did you use the torque specs?

Also, which TABs did you use, stock or one of the improved sets?

[DMC1983]

The TABs removed from the car were stock. I replaced them with John Hervey's set of coated steel (cant remember exactly which set). The ones I put on the car after replacement are fine right now, it's the stock set I'm concerned about

[DCUK Martin]

To my knowledge, the bend always occurs between the inner large washer and the bush regardless of number of shims.

Original TABs do not "come loose", they stretch. This then causes them to bend.