Just want to make sure they are identical for either side of the shock tower before ordering. Are all four (left fore and aft, right fore and aft) identical?

Also, I read about fulcrum pin shims, are they needed as well? Are they related to bushing replacement or do they have to do with front end alignment? I have a suspicion that they were neglected when the upper control arm was last replaced.

 

The bushings are the same. The shims control the caster and without them it should be hard to tighten the control arm pin. If missing you will have to replace them.

 

Do the shims affect the integrity of the suspension?

 

Yes. I doubt they are missing, but they need to be there.

 

Note the shim locations as you remove the fulcrum bolt from the control arm.

There can be several of various thicknesses on each side of the bushes and they must go back in exactly the same locations when you re-assemble.

Graham