A B737-400 WAS DISPATCHED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOSE GEAR STEERING CYLINDERS COVER INSTALLED AFTER A REPAIR OMITTING SPACERS AND SHIMS.

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I WAS HANDED A NON ROUTINE CARD THAT STATED; 'STEERING METERING VALVE COVER LOOSE.' I CHKED AND FOUND THE COVER'S FRONT MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSE. I REMOVED THE COVER TO CHK THE NUT PLATES AND TO SEE IF THE MOUNTING BRACKET WAS CRACKED. THE NUT PLATES WERE SVCABLE AND THE BRACKET WAS NOT CRACKED. THEN I NOTICED 2 SMALL PIECES OF ALUMINUM WEDGED BTWN THE METERING VALVE COVER'S FRONT MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE SUPPORT THAT THE METERING VALVE IS MOUNTED TO. I THEN PICKED UP THE COVER TO INSTALL IT. GETTING DISTR AND WANTING TO GO TO LUNCH; I FORGOT ABOUT THE WEDGED ALUMINUM IN THE BRACKET. I PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE COVER AND SIGN OFF THE NON ROUTINE CARD AS TIGHTENED COVER MOUNT SCREWS. I THEN WASHED UP AND WENT TO LUNCH. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE ACFT WAS FLYING AND I WAS ON MY WAY HOME DID I REALIZE MY ERROR. IN MY HASTE TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT AND AWAY FROM THE MOSQUITOES AND EAT LUNCH; I INADVERTENTLY CAUSED A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROB. NOW I KEEP A FAN NEARBY AND EAT ON BREAK. THE COVER IS SECURE; BUT ONLY GOD KNOWS HOW LONG THE PIECES OF ALUMINUM WILL STAY IN PLACE.