I have been told that there might be a way to shim my s4 clutch type LSD so that it will act like it is welded without having to weld it. Does anybody have any info on this? I search and didn't find anything conclusive.

Thanks!
~Tweak

 

you can add shims to increase the initial torque. Mazdaspeed sold them before, but I have not looked anywhere for them latley. I know some people cut their own shims but I would not try it myself

 

I have done this, basically the stock diff has 6 (from memory) clutch plates. They are big discs about 3mm thick with oil grooves all over them.

I disassembled mine and added one extra shim from another spare diff totalling 7. It was totally locked, I did a couple of events on it and it was ok. I ended up ditching that and have been useing a welded diff since.

 

Yes, the shims are actually the silver steel pieces on either side of the clutch disks.

 

Oh, I added an extra clutch plate, left the shims alone. Did the trick.

 

you can cut circles out of aluminum and add it to increase the initial torque. adding another clutch plate would probably lock it up completely... but you can do the same thing by adding a few pieces of metal. you can buy shim stock at a hardware store, or cut up aluminum cans. add the shims to the part that does not move! dont add them between the clutch plates, or they will wear out quick...

 

Awesome guys THANKS!

JebusFC, I am just curious, why did you end up going welded if you said it was totally locked? Did they feel different?

 

My stub axles developed big play in them so I swapped it out for a spare I locked. The stub axle issue proably wasnt related to the shimmed enter, just low ride height and big camber.

The shimmed and welded felt pretty much the same, I just prefer the piece of mind of the welded, as there is nothing to wear out.

Hope I havnt been too confusing...

 

hehe, ok that worked. Thanks. Does anybody have any pictures or is adding another plate just self explanatory?

 

You can also buy the mazdaspeed cone springs and plates (over-thickness) from Mazdatrix