Maximize Performance with Proper Installation of Your Custom Traction Concepts LSD Kit
This short article is to help you understand why it’s important to achieve the maximum mating surface of the gear mating with our LSD Conversion’s Disc Plate without taking too much off. Please note that this post is intended for educational purposes, specifically for Traction Concepts products only. Each of our LSD Conversions are designed to fit specific OEM differentials. When we assign a specific LSD Conversion to that application, we take into consideration the traction needs, the vehicle’s use and any performance upgrades present or future. NOT ALL INSTALLATIONS REQUIRE this step, what we refer to as “GEAR PREP“- our term regarding our installation process.
The photo above shows our LSD Disc Plate’s limited contact area by a raised lip on the axle gear. If this raised area is not resurfaced, our LSD Conversion will not perform as intended because it’s the only area making contact.
When our LSD Disc plate isn’t seated flat on the gear face due to any sort of raised castings or ring-like grooves, the plates cannot engage properly. Our LSD Disc Plates will pivot back and forth when the limited slip function engages, so it’s important that they make contact with the axle and spider pinion gear face that is smooth and flat across. If our LSD Disc Plates ride on only raised areas, or the resurfaced area is not flat, it will not get the maximum mating surface needed to perform as it was designed. It could also create unintended grooves into our LSD Disc Plates.
Below is an example of how the contact surface of the gears, when flat and smooth across, allows our LSD Disc Plates to perform
The axle gear’s raised lip has been machined flat, ensuring full contact with our LSD disc plate for better performance.
After machining the gear surface to remove any raised castings, you’ll increase the mating surface area between the gear face and our LSD Disc Plates, ensuring smoother engagement and maximizing your traction gains.
Take your time when resurfacing, so that you do not take too much off. Find out what your clearance tolerances with the LSD Conversion kit in hand and the diff on the bench. It needs to be resurfaced flat and not on an angle.
Each LSD Conversion has been assigned to the car’s make/model/and OEM differential. Every differential and/or its components have been manufactured differently, causing inconsistent gear thickness. So, each installation that needs “Gear Prep” will require a different amount to be removed. Do not follow the suggested dimensions posted by customers online. That was their personal experience. Contact us for proper fitment instructions and how to achieve the needed dimensions between the top
Installation Tips
Each of our LSD Conversion kits includes a detailed guide outlining the tools and steps needed for installation. While some gears may already be flat, they could have been manufactured thicker which will also alter clearance tolerances. Any resurfacing that is needed, can be done using tools like surface grinders, lathes, or belt sanders.
Run your finger along the mating surface to detect any raised areas, but only begin to resurface once you have our LSD Conversion Kit in hand.
Don’t skip this important step if it’s needed!—It’s key to ensuring your LSD kit performs as intended.
For any questions or further assistance, feel free to contact Traction Concepts.
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So if you machine off the lip, then how do you make up for the space that raised ring previously occupied? Are your disc plates already correctly sized to take up that extra space or do you need to shim somewhere else?
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Good question, ranchdude. The answer in short, is yes you will be making up the difference as the lsd kit is unloaded into the center of the diff during install. The Traction Concepts LSD Conversion Kits are assembled under extreme pre-load and held together with our end clip tabs. Once the end clip tabs and dowels are removed, the TC LSD kit will pop into place and the fitment should be tight. Depending on the lsd kit and model diff, if you question the fitment, stiffness, clearance or anything, we invite you to reach out to us for tech support and we will advise on the specific situation. Hope this helps.
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