There are shims between the body and the lockring but there is no need to remove them when doing this overhaul. As far as preload goes, you just tighten the lockring back down good an snug and your good to go. If you were starting with all new parts you would then need the correct size spacers or the freewheel would either too tight or too loose. I normaly adjust them as you would a wheel bearing if starting from scratch.