Maximize Performance with Proper Installation of Your Custom Traction Concepts LSD Conversion Kit
This short article is to help you understand why it’s important to achieve the maximum mating surface of the gear mating with Traction Concepts 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 Traction Concepts LSD Conversion Kit is designed to fit factory OEM differential carriers. NOT ALL INSTALLATIONS REQUIRE this step, which we refer to as “GEAR PREP“- our coined term regarding the Traction Concepts installation process.
This photo illustrates the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plate’s limited contact area by a raised lip on the axle gear. If this raised area is not resurfaced, the Traction Concepts LSD Conversion will not perform as intended because it’s the only area making contact.
When the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plate isn’t seated flat on the gear face due to raised castings or ring-like grooves, the LSD plates cannot engage properly. When HP and torque are applied, the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plates pivot back and forth as the limited-slip function engages. Therefore, they must make proper contact with the large axle and small spider pinion gear face, which must be smooth and flat while maintaining the proper clearance tolerances. If the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plates ride on only raised casting areas, or the resurfaced area is not flat, then it will not get the maximum mating surface needed to function as designed. It could also create unintended grooves in the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plates, resulting in less contact surface area.
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 the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plate for better traction performance.
After machining the gear surface to remove any raised castings, you’ll increase the mating surface area between the gear face and the Traction Concepts LSD Disc Plates, ensuring smoother engagement and maximizing your traction gains.
Determine your clearance tolerances with the Traction Concepts LSD Conversion Kit and the differential carrier on the bench. Take your time resurfacing to achieve the needed dimensions between the larger axle gear and the top Traction Concepts LSD Plate, without removing too much material. Be sure to resurface the mating surface of the gear- flat across and not at an angle. This will not allow the Traction Concepts LSD Plates to make proper contact for optimal performance.
Each Traction Concepts LSD Conversion has been assigned to the car’s make, model, and OEM differential carrier. Every differential and/or its components have been manufactured differently, causing inconsistent gear thickness. Each installation that will need “Gear Prep” (a coined phrase by Traction Concepts) will require a different amount to be removed. Do not follow the suggested dimensions posted by customers online. That was their personal experience. Contact Traction Concepts for proper fitment instructions specific to your car and differential.
Important Traction Concepts Installation Tips
Each Traction Concepts LSD Conversion Kit comes with a detailed, step-by-step pictorial installation guide, which illustrates the necessary tools and a basic installation process. If you are uncertain about these steps or think that you may not have received all the installation instructions, please contact Traction Concepts directly.
While some gear face mating surfaces may already be smooth and flat across, they could have been manufactured thicker, which will also alter clearance tolerances. If resurfacing the gear face mating surface is needed to achieve the proper clearance tolerances, this can be done using 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 and determined the proper tolerances. Don’t skip this important step if it’s needed!—It’s the key to ensuring your Traction Concepts LSD Conversion performs as intended.
For any questions or further assistance, please contact Traction Concepts directly. This article is for educational purposes specific to Traction Concepts products and not to be used for other products that look similar.
Copyright 1996-2026 Traction Concepts LLC.
Traction Concepts Tips 
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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I shaved a bit too much off. Now what?
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We can try to help you continue with the install. Please email us and mention this blog comment so we can connect the issue. Let us know your order # and we’ll continue from there.
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