I removed the clutch and brake pedal assembly from my 70 Cutlass.I unhooked the clutch rod that goes through the firewall. Then I disconnected the brake and clutch bracket that bolts to the firewall/master cylinder at one end and undid the two nuts at the other end.There was a shim under each nut.I guess my question is, shouldn't the shims be under the bracket? If not, why didn't they just use a large washer? Hope this makes sense.

 

My bad.The steering column attaches to the brake/clutch pedal bracket.The shims are between the column attachment bracket and the aforementioned brake/clutch pedal bracket assembly. Sorry, I'm a little new at this!

 

If you are speaking of the tapered shims then that is to adjust the spacing of the steering column evenly around the opening as it protrudes from the dash...a visual thing