TOMEI 2 way lsd installation problems
 

Hey guys I have a 2003 Nissan 350z, enthusiast model. this car should have VLSD on it as long as the original owner didin't swap it out before. so I bought a TOMEI 2 way aftermarket differential and I attempted to install it myself. I got the differential installed and it seems to spin the gears fine, the problem is my side flanges will not go in all the way. The shorter flange went in perfectly but the longer one that goes in closer to the ring gear loosely drops in but doesn't lock in all the way and pulls out with barely any effort. I tried switching them and then they both will not go in all the way. I bought the TOMEI on ebay listing said TOMEI Nissan 350Z Z33 2 Way LSD Drift Differential VQ35 # 562020 http://www.ebay.com/itm/171029862979. It said in the listing for VLSD didint say the year but I messaged them they said it would work for my 03 with vlsd. Any help would be really appreciated

http://i40.tinypic.com/6y2rme.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/687dro.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/30cc8r9.jpg

one more picture of the pumpkin
http://i40.tinypic.com/6y2rme.jpg

You need to provide useful pics

Just curious if you ever got this sorted out?

There should be a c-lip to lock both the short and long stub/flange side axles inside. You should try to look inside the Tomei LSD to see if there are any c-clip inside to lock it in. If not, try to look in the OEM VSLD to see if the c-clip is in there, and you can take that one out and use it to install on the Tomei LSD to lock the side flange axle in. The c-clip should look like the item part number 38255+A in the picture below.

http://www.thenismoshop.com/assets/images/38300.jpg

^ That's kind of what I was thinking too, I was hoping by now he was able to figure it out haha

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there only a CirClip on the driver's side stub (the longer one that only VLSD's came with)?

You are correct about the the longer stub axle is the only one that has C-clip. It can easily confirmed in the picture bellow that only the long stub axle has the C-clip, and the short one does not has it. I also remember when I had my Tomei SLD installed, the C-clip fell out, and then I have to pick up from the ground and used a rag to clean it. Then I put the clip on the stub axle and carefully slide it in the side of the diff to snap and lock it in.

Here are four different images take directly from Courtesy Nissan website with different 350Z year model that included VSLD and open differential are worth to look at.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/z33/z33_380-1.gif
http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/z33/z33_380-2.gif
http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/z33/z33_380-3.gif
http://www.courtesyparts.com/images/z33/z33_380-4.gif

There is a circlip used for both axles in every diagram you posted.

Yeap, the small print part number 38225 and 38225+A left and right c-clip got me there. Now, I wonder how I got that c-clip on the short stub axle when I installed the LSD. So, the lesson is, always have factory manual in front with diagram when install parts.

If you dont see it on the axle it may have stayed in the diff...you can see it if you look inside.

There is usually slight play in the stuub axles, yes. The circlip may be worn out or bent out of shape if youve actually verified that its popping out of place.