Steel Shim Washers | McMaster-Carr

Precisely shaped to fit snugly on keyed shafts, these shims align, level, and space components. Because of their tight fit, they also help components rotate in unison with the shaft.

Shim Sets for Keyed Shafts

Be prepared with shims in a variety of thicknesses. Also known as arbor spacers, these shims are notched to fit over keyed shafts.

Shims for D-Profile Shafts

These shims are shaped to fit over D-profile shafts. Use them to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing.

Shim Sets for D-Profile Shafts

Be prepared with shims in a variety of thicknesses. These shims are shaped to fit over D-profile shafts. Use them to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing.

Made-to-Order Shims

Send us a drawing, and we'll cut your custom shim.

Made-to-Order Peel-Away Layered Shims

Send us a drawing, and we'll cut your custom shim. Shims are made of layers of metal bonded with adhesive; remove layers with a utility knife until you get the thickness you need.

Multi-Slotted Shims

Use a single shim on feet or positioning arms that are secured with multiple fasteners. The slots let you insert, remove, and adjust the shims without disassembling your machinery. Also known as finger shims.

Unthreaded Spacers

Zinc-Plated Steel Unthreaded Spacers

The zinc plating provides some corrosion resistance.

Made-to-Order Unthreaded Spacers

Choose the OD, ID, length, and material and we will accommodate your unique spacer needs.

Polished Unthreaded Spacers

With their mirror-like finish, these are the go-to spacers when appearance matters.

Slotted Unthreaded Spacers

An economical alternative to standard unthreaded spacers.

Unthreaded Spacers for Keyed Shafts

Also known as arbor spacers, these are notched to space components on a keyed shaft.

Washers

Easy-Install Slotted Washers

A slot in the side allows you to install and remove these washers without completely disassembling your joint.

Metric Countersunk Washers

Flat and oval head screws sit flush within these metric washers for a neat, finished appearance.

Leveling Washers for I-Beams

Metric Leveling Washers for I-Beams

External Retaining Rings

Heavy Duty Spiral External Retaining Rings

Thicker than standard spiral rings, these rings withstand greater forces.

Single-Turn Spiral External Retaining Rings

Slide these rings into place with one twist—no tools required—for applications with high thrust loads.

Spiral External Retaining Rings

These coiled rings can be wound into place on a shaft without tools.

Push-On External Retaining Rings

No groove required—press these rings onto the end of a shaft for a firm grip.

Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Also known as E-style rings.

Push-On Retaining Caps

Use these caps to hold components in place and protect shaft ends.

Heavy Duty Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

These rings are reinforced to withstand faster rotation than other side-mount retaining rings. Also known as reinforced E-style rings.

Low-Clearance Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Also known as C-style and crescent rings, these rings have a small shoulder to fit in tight spaces.

Wide-Grip Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Also known as poodle rings, these thick rings have "ears" that form a large retaining surface to withstand stronger forces than other side-mount retaining rings.

Bowed Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Also known as bowed E-style rings, these have a curved design that works like a spring, taking up play for a tight hold.

Rectangular Push-On External Retaining Rings

Also known as flat-style speed nuts, these have a large surface to distribute loads better than standard and flanged external push rings.

Flanged Push-On External Retaining Rings

The wide flange provides better load distribution than standard external push rings and can be used to cover oversized holes. Also known as thread cutting nuts.

External Retaining Rings

Open these rings, pass them over the end of a shaft, and release to spring into the groove.

Mil. Spec. External Retaining Rings

These rings meet military specification MS 16624.

Heavy Duty External Retaining Rings

Thicker than standard external retaining rings, these rings withstand greater force.

Inverted External Retaining Rings

For a smooth profile and better clearance than standard external retaining rings, the lugs on these rings point inward.

Self-Locking External Retaining Rings

No groove is required for these rings—their thick profile helps them grip the shaft.

Bowed External Retaining Rings

The curved design of these rings works like a spring, taking up play for a tight hold.

Speared Ends External Retaining Rings

Often used with small engines, heavy equipment, and power transmission, these external retaining rings have speared ends to help you install and remove them.

Crimp-On External Retaining Rings

Also known as X-washers, place these rings into the groove and squeeze tight with pliers to form a 360° closure.

Clip-On External Retaining Rings

Slide these rings into a groove near the end of the shaft and the tab locks them in place.

Low-Clearance External Retaining Rings

Also known as constant-section rings, these rings have open ends and a profile that does not taper like other external retaining rings. Use them with linear bearings on support rail shafts.

Internal Retaining Rings

Squeeze these rings to place them in the groove inside a bore or housing.

Inverted Internal Retaining Rings

For a smooth bore and better clearance than standard internal retaining rings, the lugs on these rings face outward.

Heavy-Duty Internal Retaining Rings

Thicker and stronger than standard internal retaining rings, these withstand greater thrust loads.

Bowed Internal Retaining Rings

The curved design of these rings works like a spring, taking up play for a tight hold.

Internal Teeth Retaining Rings

With teeth along the inside, these retaining rings hold chamfered shafts inside the housing of your equipment.

Single-Turn Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

Slide these rings into place by hand with a single twist for applications with high thrust loads.

Heavy Duty Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

Thicker than standard spiral rings, these rings withstand greater forces.

Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

These coiled rings can be wound into place inside a bore or housing without tools.

Push-On Internal Retaining Rings

No groove required—these rings have teeth that firmly grip the bore.

Ring Shim Assortments

Shim Assortments for Shortening Shoulder Screws

Slide onto a shoulder screw to shorten the length of the shoulder.

Ring Shim Assortments

Use round shims to precisely align, level, and adjust spacing on shafts and machinery.

Shim Assortments for Button Dies

Place these shims under sharpened dies to restore their original height and extend the life of the dies.

Shim Assortments for Lengthening Shoulder Screws

Spin these tight-fitting shims onto your screw's threads to lengthen the shoulder.

Retaining Ring Assortments

Side-Mount External Retaining Ring Assortments

Also known as E-Style and C-style rings, slide these into the groove from the side of the shaft. They provide a wider shoulder than other external retaining rings for a larger retaining surface.

External and Side-Mount Retaining Ring Assortments

Assortments include pliers to install external rings.

External Retaining Ring Assortments

Pull these rings open with retaining ring pliers, pass over the end of a shaft, and release to spring into a groove.

External and Internal Retaining Ring Assortments

Assortments include pliers to install external and internal rings.

External and Internal Spiral Retaining Ring Assortments

Wind these retaining rings into a groove—no tools required for installation.

External, Internal, and Side-Mount
Retaining Ring Assortments

These assortments include pliers to install external and internal rings.

Internal Retaining Ring Assortments

Pull ring ends together with retaining ring pliers and place into the bore of a shaft or housing.

Push Ring Assortments

Internal Push Ring Assortments

External Push Ring Assortments

Unthreaded Inserts

Steel Unthreaded Inserts for Plastic

A zinc-plated finish gives these steel inserts mild corrosion resistance.

Unthreaded Inserts for Metal

Protect bolts from sideways (shear) pressure.

Rectangular Push Nuts

Rectangular Push Nuts for Tapping Screws

Rectangular Push Nuts

Also known as flat-style speed nuts, these have large sides, so they're easy to push over threads by hand.

Tag Rings

Loop these rings onto tags.

Shims

Ring Shims

Ring Shim Sets

Tight-Fit Ring Shims

Wide-Rim Ring Shims

Shims for Shortening Screw Shoulders

Shims for Lengthening Screw Shoulders

Shims for Button Dies

Shims for Keyed Shafts

Shim Sets for Keyed Shafts

Shims for D-Profile Shafts

Shim Sets for D-Profile Shafts

Made-to-Order Shims

Made-to-Order Peel-Away Layered Shims

Multi-Slotted Shims

Unthreaded Spacers

Zinc-Plated Steel Unthreaded Spacers

Made-to-Order Unthreaded Spacers

Polished Unthreaded Spacers

Slotted Unthreaded Spacers

Unthreaded Spacers for Keyed Shafts

Washers

Easy-Install Slotted Washers

Metric Countersunk Washers

Leveling Washers for I-Beams

Metric Leveling Washers for I-Beams

External Retaining Rings

Heavy Duty Spiral External Retaining Rings

Single-Turn Spiral External Retaining Rings

Spiral External Retaining Rings

Push-On External Retaining Rings

Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Push-On Retaining Caps

Heavy Duty Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Low-Clearance Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Wide-Grip Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Bowed Side-Mount External Retaining Rings

Rectangular Push-On External Retaining Rings

Flanged Push-On External Retaining Rings

External Retaining Rings

Mil. Spec. External Retaining Rings

Heavy Duty External Retaining Rings

Inverted External Retaining Rings

Self-Locking External Retaining Rings

Bowed External Retaining Rings

Speared Ends External Retaining Rings

Crimp-On External Retaining Rings

Clip-On External Retaining Rings

Low-Clearance External Retaining Rings

Internal Retaining Rings

Internal Retaining Rings

Inverted Internal Retaining Rings

Heavy-Duty Internal Retaining Rings

Bowed Internal Retaining Rings

Internal Teeth Retaining Rings

Single-Turn Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

Heavy Duty Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

Spiral Internal Retaining Rings

Push-On Internal Retaining Rings

Ring Shim Assortments

Shim Assortments for Shortening Shoulder Screws

Ring Shim Assortments

Shim Assortments for Button Dies

Shim Assortments for Lengthening Shoulder Screws

Retaining Ring Assortments

Side-Mount External Retaining Ring Assortments

External and Side-Mount Retaining Ring Assortments

External Retaining Ring Assortments

External and Internal Retaining Ring Assortments

External and Internal Spiral Retaining Ring Assortments

External, Internal, and Side-MountRetaining Ring Assortments

Internal Retaining Ring Assortments

Push Ring Assortments

Internal Push Ring Assortments

External Push Ring Assortments

Unthreaded Inserts

Steel Unthreaded Inserts for Plastic

Unthreaded Inserts for Metal

Rectangular Push Nuts

Rectangular Push Nuts for Tapping Screws

External, Internal, and Side-Mount
Retaining Ring Assortments