BMW Limited Slip Differential Retrofit | CHEAP!

In this video I show you how to retrofit a limited slip conversion kit that fits many BMW models.
This kit is a cost effective way to convert your open differential on your BMW to a progressive rate limited slip differential for only a fraction of what a fully assembled LSD would normally cost.
Here is a link to demonstrate how this kit works:
• Understanding RacingDi...
If you're interested in this and are based out of the US please let me know in the comments.
Link to the axle seals (affiliate):
ebay.to/2ULkcer
Link to torque stick (affiliate):
amzn.to/2IFqHYS
Link to Red Lock Tite (affiliate):
amzn.to/2UxGdYU
In the next video we will install the differential housing back on the car.
Thanks for watching and consider subscribing for more content like this! When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[@Jdmlsturbo]

Honestly, don’t apologize for giving us a “ real world consumer experience “ I’m not a bmw guy but very informative. Keep up the good work.

[@woocash7488]

I don't have high expectations for this to work well but would love to be proven wrong so waiting for updates!

[@jjohnston890]

Great video. Looking forward to the real world driving test to see how much it slips on low speed bends and normal daily driving. Hoping to purchase a kit for my MX5, but wanted to wait until i could find a full review first. Keep up the good work!

[@skeen1970]

Great vids as usual, really appreciate the out of the box thinking to save money. But I do want to point out a few gotchas I have learned over the years. 1) upon diff disassembly, mark everything you remove so it can be put back exactly as it was. 2) put some oil or assembly grease on any oil seals, not the out side but the inside where the seal touches the axle. 3) I would use a torque wrench for the ring gear or any bolts needing a specific torque value.

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah for sure, helpful tips for people looking to attempt this.

[@skeen1970]

@@VehicularDIY looking forward to the results, I have an e90 manual transmission so I will have to look at other ways to make this mod work, my 1st thought is use an auto diff and swap it in if I can't get the ring gear off.

[@supramantt10]

Drive test? ... aka donuts? :) Your DIYs are great man - keep it up!

[@TheCraveFeeds]

watch pazi88's video on a one year update.

[@hunty92]

by the way everyone, it looks like their updated conversion kits no longer require you to have your spider gears machined!!!

[@jpwilliams5264]

That’s good. The machining was a dealbreaker for me. I’m also a bit worried how long those two disc will last and it looked like once those side bolts are out , that assembly isn’t coming out.

[@MrKracen1134]

Link?

[@marcusalvarez3678]

link??

[@dallas4616]

Link???

[@JDMHaze]

I respect your videos, I just watched my first video from you today doing the LCI tail lights, I don't own nor am i a fan for BMW but I respect decent DIY. WELL DONEE

[@mrz5705]

As always, fantastic presentation and very informative. Something is telling me I see potential problems ahead. Please prove me wrong.

[@Kipitrl]

Looking forward to the drive test..

[@Soravia]

Use lubrication on install to prevent metal on metal damage!!!

[@TheRealHypervizor]

Honestly, this is pretty cool, but im going to do a M3 diff swap. I'd say it's about 2x as much as what you spent but aside from getting a drive shaft shortened the rest is OEM and you get beefier rear axles.

[@coreysteady]

unless you have a 6 speed manual, then the shaft works too

[@ThatOneGuyTyler]

@@coreysteady I got a e90 328i 6 speed and was a lsd will a m3 be a straight bolt up for mine?

[@coreysteady]

@@ThatOneGuyTyler not sure about the e90 stuff m8

[@tinygunner4703]

Love the video but a torque wrench is what is needed not torque limiting sticks. Sticks are for use on air impacts so you can calibrate them via air pressure.

[@TrollingVeteranGamer]

Was waiting impatiently for this update

[@Crazyalbokid1]

Haha same

[@fmn716]

Same

[@coreysteady]

its not going to happen

[@TrollingVeteranGamer]

@@coreysteady It happened a year ago wtf r u talking about?

[@Soravia]

To clean gasket off, use 000 wool instead of razor blade. Soak in acetone, it will eat the gasket up quickly.

[@MrNicoe36cabrio]

Great stuff. Very curious what it will do on the car!

[@tomasis7]

Awesome video!! Do you have a video about suspensions of e9x? Id love to see the detailed video about it. Im not sure about suspension choices.

[@NOTSOSLIMJIM]

Any decent lathe with carbide insert can cut that. Just need to run coolant so you don't mess up the temper. A mill can also tackle that.

[@maruchocraftXD]

yeah i think im just gonna weld it lmao

[@michaelcater6754]

Isn’t your ring gear over torqued? It says to torque to 140 NM (newton meters) and by my calculations that only 103 ft lbs

[@alvarocordeiro3129]

I ordered one kit yesterday, hope this works good!

[@FHard93]

hey bro, did you get it? what are your expierences?

[@BGTouge]

This stops working after a year, or in some cases it doesnt work at all

[@laughsandwich3842]

To be fair I would gladly pay an extra 200-300 just for the kit to inlcude the right sized spider gears and axles

[@madmike5144]

Awesome video, it was nice to watch, but i have few question Is there new bearing, i mean is that just bolt on, no ring gear tooth touch check

[@MadRS]

Seeing that the springs aren't fully bound would it not be possible to add spacers under the springs to increase the initial lock up to say 30-35%. There is a fair bit of expansion when the bars are removed so you could make another set slightly longer (still keeping the plates close enough to slip between the gears) to hold the plates.

[@beyondimpossible2308]

hello , how is your diff still working for you ?

[@AKAtheA]

probably would make sense to lop off most of the top with a 5 axis waterjet and then let them do surface grinding...

[@MadRS]

The only thing I would do differently is get the machine shop to add a proper drain plug in the casing to make it much easier to service the diff. I have never understood why BMW never did this.

[@CdtXcocaine]

finally ! was waiting that for a long time ahah

[@hokman1]

what's different to jamming a rock into it?

[@Mister-Christer]

Limited slip?

[@hokman1]

@@Mister-Christer which one provides limited slip effect? a rock or this contraption?

[@jkeijzer1418]

@@hokman1 I would indeed prefer a rock. At least a rock is made out of quality material.

[@AnthraxVX]

holy jesus thats a lot of RTV :D

[@swank1975]

Don't forget your handy dandy claw hammer bearing driver!!

[@micraw714]

I think I'm going to say screw it and pull the trigger on this kit for my E92 6spd. Hopefully I can find someone in Albuquerque to do the machining.

[@zacmcaskell5668]

6sp most likely has welded ring gear.

[@micraw714]

Zac Mcaskell yep that'll be the tricky part.

[@zacmcaskell5668]

not any more tricky but by that point you may as well go got extra and drill the crown gear tap then holes and put in a normal helical or clutch pack lsd

[@micraw714]

Zac Mcaskell yeah I was thinking that as well. Wavetrak sends the pre assembled units which would probably cost a lot more but way less headache

[@zacmcaskell5668]

@@micraw714 less headache and helical lsd make a huge difference. mfactory in mine. totally different car

[@matreyia]

That appears to behave like a welded diff. and not an LSD. if they are indeed permanently locked.

[@jameslatimer1432]

Not rong BRO

[@rommelpangilinan829]

Great video man... Is it compatible with BZ010 differential?... Toyota?... Thanks

[@joepaquette7435]

Any info available for the new kit that includes the surface ground gears? I'm not confident about getting the input shaft or the gears ground or milled down.

[@crswift6990]

HEADS UP: no-one in australia wants to touch these, labour cost is close to $1000 here. not really worth it

[@DayoftheJakeL]

40 vs 325? Id buy some pre,ground spider gears from,someone in serbia then,lol

[@shaadydog1]

Seems like a no brained to keep 20 sets aside to grind to spec before case hardening. WTF am I missing here? I think if people would put just a small bit of effort into something like this to be user friendly instead needing a guy generously filming and going through this type of fabrication/setup for everyone’s benefit we would see more DIY and mods on these cars. Efforts are commended.

[@bmwthreethreefive5798]

I don't see how this can possibly work? Those 2 little tiny pads are supposed to be acting as clutches and yet they aren't keyed to anything?

[@alexj.9268]

10:55 "...if you really overcome one side than the centrifugal force is going to cause this to rotate and expand out and cause even more of a lockup; making this progressive" The majority of your content is amazing, however I want you to think really hard about this and explain to me how rotation on the Z axis can cause the X axis to expand, maybe i'm missing something here...

[@gladniggo]

Nice video! How long did you let the thread locker and the gasket cure?

[@shavonbrown2601]

Can you post the instructions on what i must tell the machine shop i want please.

[@aakashdeshmane1737]

Can anyone tell me how to calculate the spring stiffness of the spring pack as a function of percentage locking?

[@kayrol18]

How is it holding up ? My myself used e39 M5 LSD in E60 535d but i know its not possible for you, that small plate vs 210mm clutch must be another story

[@bassdabob]

like it! maybee use a brass or copper hammer next time

[@taufikaliza22]

How about daily use?

[@altink8823]

Cant wait for track time with the new diff

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah me to. If I can get a sub 2 second 60 ft I'll be happy.

[@dirkdiggler9082]

Im kind of scratching my head here with this design....Its steel on steel with the block relying on springs to keep tention not spinning wheels.I cant see this working for long.

[@tracynadeau4]

Looking for updates on how well it is holding up?

[@justas6686]

Hi where I can get rest of the items for this conversation. Thanks

[@Stroker396]

How is it holding up? The biggest concern I have read about these kits is they wear down and fail.

[@kawarider9049]

Hi, nice video! How is the LSD working?

[@eddiecard]

What about the axles ? Putting a block inside the diff limits how much the axle can enter the diff. Did you have to modify them at all so they’d lock in place as usual ?

[@r.taylorgarlock560]

@Vehicular DIY what year is your 335i? Is it early? I'm trying to nail down which diffs have bolted/welded ring gears without pulling my diff cover. Cheers. Thanks for the vids.

[@fadid1519]

same for me

[@davonmulder8458]

THIS IS NOT FOR TRACK USE the company themself says this, it's for street/drift use only

[@ian.M440]

Great video 👍

[@maxsam201]

Hmm, should check if the surface grinder I have available to me to use is good enough to do this

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah and also see if you can find a shop willing to but it on their lathe worst case.

[@jocrp6]

Dude! It's called a belt sander and use a micrometer.

[@NickiLasse]

They definitely did NOT use a belt sander.. you simply CANNOT do precision work on a belt sander. But i sure they used a surface grinder machine or something similar

[@nessusing]

How do you get it out once the clutch plate worn out for a replacement?

[@nonymou771]

呱呱玩车 a lot of force

[@nessusing]

@@nonymou771 Doesn't sound cheap then. Lol

[@willis23jm1]

Lol ..u hit the nail on the head ..this is crap

[@jonathanpham7397]

How does that torque stick accurately get you to 140 ft lbs???? Edit just saw item. Will probably still use torque wrench but think I'm gonna buy myself a kit for other things

[@revo.d]

did you have to seperate the ring gear from the dif? i have a 2013 135i but idk how to do this

[@itsmr925kingchannel8]

I need help my bmw 640i diff pin came loose i was trying to fix it and notice i cant put the diff apart i dont have those 16 big bolts to remove the diff apart how can i do it anyone?

[@jamesallen1408]

Just swap in the whole lsd unit and be done in a few hrs

[@shirokovaleksey]

Это не lsd в классическом понимании. Эта штука может дать только преднатяг, что в обычной дисковой lsd является только плавной подводкой к срабатыванию блокировки. Если вы разобрали дифференциал, то не жалейте лишние несколько сотен долларов на настоящую lsd.

[@tuongpham2811]

So the question is how can we get spring loaded out in case ?

[@VehicularDIY]

I don't think the product was intended to be removed ever but if you used long screws in the screw holes you might be able to compress it again.

[@salspec3381]

You might be able to use a press and push on the spider gear through the hole then reinstall the retaining screws. Doing this during the install could also make it easier to remove the screws from the block.

[@KamikazeFahrer]

Hello and greets from Germany! Do you know its Okay for my e91 335D?

[@4g63_Everything]

Does it also need to adjust the preload between ring gear and drive pinion?🤔

[@PeterLimDaehyun]

Can someone tell me what’s the difference with welded diff ?

[@simplesimson1]

is there a way how to uninstall the lsd kit? I mean you would need to compress the springies inside your diff - vise wouldn not fit in there :D

[@rogerhaddad3182]

Hi would I be able to do donuts if I install this kit? On my E90 325i

[@anythinggoesc33j4y]

... great video. where did you have the grear grounded? ...

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks, I got it done at a place called Brent Grinding.

[@pavlejovic324]

You sent it to Serbia for machine processing?

[@jameslatimer1432]

The only thing I find to be good to use is a torque stick that goes with impact gun can you please elaborate on this really cool must torque stick

[@Theoriginalmichaelmiachel]

Yes it only works with a impact

[@dfqnexxus3710]

Whats the name of the shop who did this to you ?.

[@daddypoe484]

I can't find where I can see it in the vehicle and how it performs. Even the link shows only animation. Not real-world.. just get a diff from pull-a-part for 100 bucks and weld it locked. More fun than you can handle! I keep an open and a welded one in the trunk. It takes 20 mins to swap them now.. I've done it a dozen times so.... Haha. I don't like friction-type conversions IMO. Love the clean work area man

[@justindunn7785]

Hiya, from South Africa, keen on info on this please.

[@RacingDiffs]

If you haven't got your yet, now it is a good time as Black Friday promo is on. Check link below Www.ebay.com/str/racingdiffs

[@davidmcnulty1194]

Could I have an update on this, did it wear out ect, and could I also have a link to new new variant without the machining required

[@VehicularDIY]

It's still holding strong, the wheels still lock up and I'm still running this diff even though I've converted to manual.

[@JKGarageBMW]

Oof - not worth it man. $300+ for grinding? Another issue with grinding is that it can magnetize the part. Did you test it for magnetism? Need to use a degausser.

[@jianiversace9787]

What’s the best diff fluid for this lsd Set uo

[@pasttraveller5767]

any issues using this type of LSD kit?

[@Shadow666790]

Would this work on the E90 325i?

[@pasttraveller5767]

im very much interested, how much will be kit and labor

[@rasjgo2]

Will this work for a bmw e30

[@willis23jm1]

This just dint work at all, n in theory it shouldn't, the amount of force that that plate need to lock the diff isnt enough ... even if at first drive it has some limited slip it will loose after worn ....you dont have enough power to break the lock but adding a lever to increase torque and that shit turn like its free... it simple doesnt lock to even slightly improve performance

[@morpheusblacksmith3970]

Hallo guys anybody knows If that kit works or If it dangerous

[@ironmantooltime]

Itll only last 30k miles... Just get a quaiffe

[@hendek55clp]

Did you reshim it as well to set the backlash as I didn’t see that in the video

[@RacingDiffs]

Noo need to do that as the same carrier unit is going back. You just need to return C clips to their original positions👍🏻

[@daytonm6809]

Any update on how the kit worked?

[@VehicularDIY]

So far it's working still. Not a lot of miles on it as of late.

[@jaquiemichel6297]

Des retours sur ce kit de conversion sur e90 ?

[@radyarpad857]

I rather never want to somebody put together my diff like that :D whats that hammer man? and the ring putting back is also really workmanlike .....not

[@jon8336]

HA, its almost like you dont know what you're talking about...

[@tria3onikoulis]

this is not a limited slip differential. in a curve of the road the inner wheel cannot take less turns than the outside wheel. They both do exactly the same turns so we have no difference. This way is other than welding. In the limited slip differential we have a difference but at the same time preventing the slip. soon enough one ends up in a pillar or wall with a welded differential with this mod

[@Krtek004]

You are not right. Did you see the 2x metal circle plates? There is still difference between turning wheels. He wasnt able to spin wheel on different becouse preasure of spring is big. But in car on the road the force of different spining will be more than spring preasure in diff :)

[@notsafetolook]

From where in Serbia did you buy it? Im from Serbia and i can’t find that kit!!!

[@VehicularDIY]

Check this website: www.racingdiffs.com/

[@GstarCurtis]

Doesnt this work more like a welded diff?

[@madmike5144]

I have heard it is little softer..

[@alexTXA]

how did you set up the ring gear backlash???

[@VehicularDIY]

You don't need to as its all the same hardware going back in the same case.

[@alexTXA]

@@VehicularDIY i've got a 325i manual e46 facelift, and have ordered the racingdiff's conversion kit, and someone said to me, that i'll have to set up the ring gear backlash.

[@darkiee69]

So that's what a plate lsd looks like.

[@jkeijzer1418]

Does not work well at all. Quality is minimal. Normally a proper lsd has clutch plates 3x this size for 25% lock but this tiny clutch plate with the same type of coating is supposed to provide 60% lock.... I have driven with this system and it is very sketchy, sometimes locks (Sometimes in the wrong moment), but most of the time does nothing. Also when the clutch is worn, it cannot be replaced, you will have to buy a new open diff and a new kit. And it wears fast because it slips a lot!

[@Tony-pi3bw]

Guess it didn’t work as planned since theres no update 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@VehicularDIY]

I posted an updated video, check my channel.

[@TB-qk2ym]

Dude are you kidding me you could have done an LSD swap for a fraction of the money and effort.....

[@Fredrik_Gustafsson]

Well spill the beans then, how?

[@coreysteady]

so are they terrible? or was this just a sponsered video

[@VehicularDIY]

It was not sponsored. It is still working and hasn't degraded. It's about 50% as effective as the dedicated LSD that came in my M340i but it still keeps the car dead strait under hard throttle all the time. The car use to pull hard to the right before I got this.

[@avalaugh1980]

How’s it holding up after a few years ?

[@MarcOPolo-il2wb]

What does he say, 150$?

[@drummond596]

Looking to attempt this, also looking to purchase a used diff - Would you be able to share the part number for the bolted differential used for the diy thanks?