Seems the shim method isn't the best. Works for a while then dies.

I've been reading plenty of weird and wonderful re-flowing techniques involving heatguns, burning alcohol in metal cups and even heating up a heavy coin to 250F and putting it on the chip till it cools down. Basically you just have to make sure the board is dead level, and slowly apply and remove the heat source if using a gun. I'll probably risk it soon once I muster up the courage.