mine didn't have to be, but because i'm an anal butt monkey, i trimmed it even w/ the diff plateau. it made me feel better.

read this http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=86055&hilit=diff+pin+brackets good info there.

taken from there, "Update 7-24-05: This is the part number for the newer "diff saver plates" that are shorter than the above noted brackets. These brackets can be bolted in as-is, they do not need to be cut down."

JUST LEAVE ME ALONEEEEEEEEE I'M ANAL... :shrug ...