If your talking about just replacing the spider gears and you're
not disturbing the pinion, then no there are no shims.
You set the preload using the threaded collet on the ring gear
side then the back lash by tightening the collet on the differential side
One thing to note before purchasing the spiders. The differential pin
usually wears the bore it fits in, in the diff housing and it becomes oblong.
Some of your driveline play may be there

 

Do not let that needed repair go too long or one day you will loose the diff at an even higher repair cost.
Have you drained the oil to see what sort of metal you have in the gear oil?

 

Ok, 1 of 3 of my vibrations.
Vibration #1 was a tire. Replaced my tires last week and found my right rear tire with 15 ounces of water. And a nice big old nail hidden between the tread blocks. Replaced and balanced the tires. Vibration #1 gone.

Vibration #2 Motor and tranny mounts. Nothing much to explain here, small vibration only while on accelerator. Easy to diagnose. Much easier to fix.

 

Basic stuff ehh?? Gald to hear it!

#3
Check your emergency brake drum set screw. Remove the rear driveshaft,
tighten the set screw. PS now is a good time to remove the drum and
check clean the drum, park brake shoes of rust or oil, and replace the tbox
rear output seal

 

Hmmm, never even thought about that. Good Idea. Thank you sir!