A retention assembly for retaining a plurality of elements in a stator slot of an electric machine is provided. The retention assembly may include a stator wedge fixedly positioned in a dovetail in the stator slot to retain the plurality of elements; a top ripple spring between the plurality of elements and the stator wedge; and at least one shim positioned between the stator wedge and a load bearing surface of the dovetail. A method may include compressing the stator wedge in the stator slot from a first position thereof relative to the dovetail of the stator slot, the compressing creating a gap between the stator wedge and the dovetail. A shim may be inserted in the gap; the compressing released such that the shim retains the stator wedge in a second position that is more compressed relative to the plurality of elements in the stator slot compared to the first position.