What Shim Packs Do During Crusher Wear Part Replacement
Shim packs are thin, stacked metal pieces used to fine tune fitment when fitting jaw plates, mantles, concaves, blow bars and liners. They help bridge small gaps, correct uneven seating and bring components into line so the crusher runs as it should after maintenance. In remote sites where access is tight and stop-start work is common, having the right shim thickness on hand can save a lot of time.
They are not a wear part themselves, but they play an important support role during installation. A good shim pack helps maintenance crews get a proper contact surface, reduce movement and avoid repeated strip-downs. That matters on mines and quarries working under load-shedding pressures or with limited shutdown windows.
- Used for alignment and spacing corrections
- Supports accurate installation of crusher wear parts
- Helpful during planned shutdowns and urgent change-outs
- Suitable for fixed plant and mobile crushing setups
Sizes, Thicknesses and Material Options
Shim packs are usually supplied in mixed thickness sets so fitters can build up the exact gap needed. Common pack sizes cover light adjustment work through to heavier support applications, with individual shims selected by thickness rather than one single fixed size. The exact pack depends on the machine, the wear part profile and the mounting arrangement at site.
For crusher maintenance work, the most useful packs are the ones that give small step changes, because that lets the crew make precise adjustments without over packing. Some sites prefer pre-sorted sets for quick use during shutdowns, while others keep bulk stock and cut to suit where needed. We hold stock in Middelburg, Mpumalanga and supply freight to mines and quarries across Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng.
- Thin shims for fine adjustment work
- Mixed packs for general installation support
- Pack sizes can be selected to suit site practice
- Useful for both planned maintenance and breakdown response
Where Shim Packs Suit Best
Shim packs are well suited to operations where crusher wear parts are replaced often and installation accuracy affects performance. That includes quarry lines, open cast sites, crushing plants near towns like Middelburg, Rustenburg and Kathu, and remote mine sites where every hour of downtime counts. They are also useful where vibration, dust and repeated cycling can loosen a poor fit over time.
They are commonly used during fitting of jaw plates, main frame liners, side liners, cheek plates, mantle and concave assemblies, and other crusher wear surfaces that need to sit square and true. If the machine has been running hard in abrasive material, the seating surfaces may need a bit of adjustment before the new parts go in properly. That is where a well matched shim pack helps the job move along.
- Crusher shutdowns and relining work
- Remote mine maintenance teams
- Quarry plant fitment and correction work
- Sites with tight restart timelines
Installation Support, Tools and Site Requirements
Shim packs need no power, fuel or gas supply. They are fitted with standard maintenance tools as part of the crusher rebuild or wear part replacement process. In most cases the fitter will use hand tools, measuring equipment and lifting gear already on site. Because the product is passive, it is easy to store, move and handle in warehouse conditions or on a service truck.
Good installation practice still matters. The contact faces should be clean, dry and free from old grease, dust and scale before shims are fitted. Crews should check for even seating, proper torque on fasteners and correct clearance once the crusher is reassembled. On coastal or humid sites, pack storage should stay dry to help prevent corrosion and staining on thinner shims.
- No electrical power needed
- No gas or compressed air required for use
- Fits into standard maintenance procedures
- Store in a dry, covered area where possible
Care, Storage and Routine Servicing
Shim packs do not need servicing in the usual sense, but they do need proper storage and inspection before use. Keep them flat, separated by thickness if possible, and protected from moisture, oil and grit. If a pack has bent edges, heavy rust or deep scoring, it is better to replace it than force it into a critical fitment. A damaged shim can throw off the whole installation.
On busy plants the best practice is to keep shim stock with other shutdown consumables and check it when the parts are counted back in after use. That makes it easier to know what is ready for the next outage. It also helps the warehouse team in Middelburg plan replenishment before a scheduled shutdown at a remote site. A small issue with stock can become a big delay if it is only found on the day.
What To Check When Ordering Shim Packs
When placing an order, it helps to give the crusher model, the wear part being fitted, the area of the machine where the shims will be used, and the thickness range needed. If you have the old set available, send the measured sizes and let the team confirm whether you need a mixed pack or a specific combination. Clear details reduce the chance of the wrong kit turning up at site.
Also confirm the delivery point, access restrictions, and whether the load must go to a mine gate, quarry yard or direct to the plant. Remote destinations in the Northern Cape or Limpopo can need extra route planning and order consolidation, especially where road access is limited or gate times are strict. Our Middelburg team handles enquiry support, stock holding and freight coordination for these jobs so the right pack gets to the right place on time.
- Crusher make and model
- Wear part being installed
- Required thickness range or old sample sizes
- Delivery site, gate rules and timing needs
Key facts
| Product type | Alignment and installation support shims for crusher maintenance |
|---|---|
| Typical use | Setting and spacing support during wear part replacement |
| Common applications | Jaw plates, mantles, concaves, blow bars and liners |
| Material | Metal shim stock in selected thicknesses |
| Power requirement | None |
| Supply area | Middelburg base with freight across South Africa |
