Automotive Suspension Valving Check Shims

All rebuildable suspensions need shims & washers - and Teknik has the largest collection - more than 2 million in stock. Our range isn't just standard flake valves either: complete bulk kits, ring shims, check shims, cup washers and valve stop washers. If you need to swap damping shims please see our Shim Factor Calculator - one 0.30mm shim is NOT the same as two 0.15mm shims.

Valving shims are thin and designed to flex from oil pressure, absorbing energy and creating damping force. But you don't want them to flex forever, or you wouldn't generate enough damping for big hits. So shim stacks use these much thicker non-return valve support washers to limit the distance that the thinner valve shims can flex - depending on the application they act like a cup washer or to the very similar looking valve stop washer.

There are other shared parts found in both front forks & rear shocks; locknuts to hold damping pistons to base towers, teflon lined shaft collars or acetal rod bushes to hold sliding tubes concentric without too much friction, tiny mid-speed valve (also called refill or non-return) springs to help tune your shim stack, rubber o-rings to keep oil and gas pressure sealed from each other. Motorbike suspensions need these when servicing or tuning, and you can find them in our fork locknuts & bushes and shock absorber locknuts & bushes.

If you are a bike workshop or a DIY suspension tuner you should stock up on these basic essential wear parts - they are in everything and should be replaced every rebuild. We also have technical articles that can give you an edge: learn more about those lock nuts and fasteners or become an expert on oils with our suspension fluid weights table.