Differential Removal - Toyota MR2 Manual Transmission - Shortcut Method

This is the shortcut method for how to remove the differential from a S-series or C-series manual transmission 5-speed or 6-speed. Can be applied for S54, C50, C56, C60, C66, et cetera. The procedure is to split the bell housing from the middle case and disconnect the two internal bolts holding the reverse arm, allowing the bell housing to separate completely. The differential can then be removed. It is a shortcut method. It is not the method suggested by Toyota in the official repair manuals for these transmissions. Use at your own risk. The author of this video is not responsible for any damage to your transmission. For purpose of demonstration this is done on an old worthless transmission. With a serviceable transmission additional precautions must be taken to prevent damage to the transmission case and internals. Also applies for 6th Gen Celica transmissions, 7th gen Celica, MR-S/MR2 Spyder, Lotus Elise and Exige transmissions.

[@christybaldassari3223]

how did you get the shirt lever out

[@Merryfrankster_]

Shift into neutral. Remove the big bolt from the top of the housing aka detente, it locks the cage inside the housing. Remove the lever arm from the front side. It has a locking pin. Then take off the back cover and slide the shifter straight back.

[@ArmstrongRacing]

Well you did get it open, but seeing the input shaft drag through the seal makes me think this thing leaked oil when(and if) it went back together

[@castillomartin25]

Can you do this if you don’t change the bearings on the new diff?

[@Merryfrankster_]

No. If you change diff, you should not be doing this. In fact you should almost never be doing this. The video should be re-titled "quick easy way to mess up your transmission."

[@beanvo9924]

Hi Frank. I’m planning to put a LSD on the S51 using your method. Question is do I need to shim the diff or something or just plug it in and it should fit?

[@Merryfrankster_]

I don't really suggest this method. I made this video for demonstration purposes only. Many people have used this method successfully but it does carry risks of incorrect assembly particularly for the reverse gear lever. Also it makes verification of the pre-load next to impossible. When putting a MR-S LSD into an S-series there is definitely a requirement for a shim to get the correct pre-load. Without a shim the diff will flop around in the case like a loose grapefruit.

[@Merryfrankster_]

The shims are available from Toyota. If you need help finding them, let me know, I have looked up the part number for others who needed them, I can look them up again.

[@beanvo9924]

@@Merryfrankster_ Nice. Thanks I think I'll go without LSD for now. I really like to go with the e153 but the added 30lbs scares me.

[@Merryfrankster_]

@@beanvo9924 what car are you planning to put this in? 30lbs is less than the weight of 5 gals of gas.

[@beanvo9924]

@@Merryfrankster_ In the Mr2 sw20 just like yours. Well since you put it in that perspective it doesn't sound so bad.

[@micalchin3552]

Where can I get a differential like that to buy

[@TurboTurdBurglar]

Is this the same for a c59 trans to out of 03-08 corolla/matrix?

[@ronl7982]

Hey putting the reverse bracket is it easy ,any special tool ?

[@Merryfrankster_]

No it is not easy and almost impossible for one person to do single handed. With an assistant holding the transmission and bell housing upside down you may be able to do it but maybe not.

[@tkflex2332]

Thank you for your videos they helped me a lot! Is this the same procedure on a C60 6 speed transmission on Celica, Matrix, Corolla 2zzge? Thanks again

[@Merryfrankster_]

Yes this is nearly identical procedure BUT I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS.

[@tkflex2332]

@@Merryfrankster_ Ok I understand. I will have to do the complete disassembly like armstrong c60 video. Any links on service manual resources. Thanks

[@zero_to_1000]

Hey dude what kind of sealant do you recomend for c60 gearbox's

[@Merryfrankster_]

If you're asking about the shifter housing I just use a gear-oil safe sealant like Permatex.

[@matinghaderzadeh3868]

Hi Frank, i have followed the intructions of this video and have re assembled back together. I made sure the reverse arm was in the correct spot. However now it will barely shift into 1-2-3-4 and it wont shift at all into 5th or reverse. Any help would be appreciated

[@Merryfrankster_]

My guess is that something might be interfering with the shift forks or they have gone out of place. My suggestion is to disassemble it by the normal way and put it back together correctly. Refer to the shop manual for step-by-step. I don't know how many times I have said that I do not suggest or recommend that anyone follow this shortcut method.

[@matinghaderzadeh3868]

@@Merryfrankster_ I have just realised that i did not remove the shifter fork when performing the job. Is there anyway i can sort this issue out without having to disassemble the box the proper way?

[@Merryfrankster_]

@@matinghaderzadeh3868 I'm sorry I don't have any suggestion - I don't even really know what's wrong exactly, let alone how to fix it. If you brought this transaxle to me, I would take it apart as per the shop manual and re-assemble it, checking every part on every step.

[@HLGTSKProductions]

Hey Frank, could you possibly reply with the spline count for that differential ? I counted 8 Ring gear Bolts but can't see the actual spline count. I'm trying to figure it out for a spool. Thanks

[@Merryfrankster_]

I'm not sure what count you are asking for. The teeth on the ring gear? The teeth on the pinion? The spline count on the output shafts (axles)? Whatever it is you need I can count it out for you, just let me know.

[@TheOGFrisky]

Thanks frank!

[@wefwefwef.]

Having trouble finding differential carrier bearings for an lsd swap into my s54 gearbox, cannot find any sellers and even toyota cant seem to help

[@Merryfrankster_]

What kind of LSD? the bearings for the OEM helical that comes out of a Spyder gearbox are part number 90366-40094

[@Merryfrankster_]

Correction - the two bearings are slightly different on each side. The correct part numbers are 90366-40094 BEARING (FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE - LH) 90366-40097 BEARING (FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE - RH)

[@Merryfrankster_]

However, checking the part numbers for the S54, they are BEARING(FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL CASE) 90366-40016 RH 90366-40023 LH

[@jc-hd3ih]

Is it possible to swap a 6 speed manual into a 93 camry 4cyl that has an S51 in it? A C160 perhaps? Reason I ask is I love my Camry and it’s still low miles. 6th gear would really improve my highway mileage. I already get around 400 to a tank if I do all highway.

[@Merryfrankster_]

Most if not all c-series are designed for a starter on the engine side. The s-series and e-series have the starter on the transmission side. To put a c-series on a 5s-fe 2.2 liter engine (which I am guessing is what you have), you would have to very precisely and carefully cut the starter boss off the s-51 bellhousing, then very precisely cut a matching hole in the C160 bellhousing, then weld the s51 starter boss into the c160 bellhousing. Or you can hunt the online universe for an adapter plate that allows fitting the starter.

[@jc-hd3ih]

Frank Saab so the 6 speed would bolt up to the 5s-fe but the starter is swapped directions. Would I have to change the bell housing or can it stay?

[@Merryfrankster_]

@@jc-hd3ih I think what you actually need to do is swap your S51 bellhousing onto the C160 and then you will be all set. I believe that Paul Woods at Woodsport has done some conversions like this.

[@jc-hd3ih]

Frank Saab this gives me hope. Thanks for the great replies. I have some work planned for it soon. Oil pump seal and going to do timing belt water pump 30k miles early while I’m in there. Anything else worth replacing while I got that side opened up? Very surprising how attached I’ve become to this car.

[@jimchance5006]

I'm a little bit late to the party, but the way the c160 is geared, you'd get worse gas mileage cause of the higher final drive ratio. 6th gear isn't extra low in the c160, but it's similar to 5th in the s51. Instead of 5 spaced out gears, there are 6 closely spaced gears. Better for racing.

[@monoracer_]

Jeez, what a struggle. I would love to see second and first gear just to see how less hellical they are compared to 3rd 4rd and 5th

[@accordv6er]

Fraaaankk I would love to see a few gears wide open past 7k rpm! Subd for it ;)

[@Merryfrankster_]

Ok I'll see what I can do.

[@PseudoKirby]

you never show us how to put a diff back in and close it up with this shortcut, some MR2 enthusiasts say that you cant get the transmission back together the same way

[@Merryfrankster_]

Many people have done it with S-series, E-series, and C- series, so whoever said it can't be done is full of it.

[@sixer48]

Great video and tutorial

[@manos84305]

Many Thanks mate . I hope I can reassemble the gearbox . You speak a vey clear english . Are you German ?

[@Merryfrankster_]

Ha ha someone else asked am I Scottish. Ha ha.

[@manos84305]

@@Merryfrankster_ We replaced a Japanese normal differential in a MK3 gearbox with a LSD . Your video helped us a lot . Unfortunately we didn't make a video , because we were under time pressure . Apropos for a Scottish man you speak best English. Many thanks, again.

[@Merryfrankster_]

Yeah and some clown (below) says it cannot be done. Ha ha. Ha ha ha h.

[@jonniebrimston4870]

I just stripped and built 1 of these boxes, and after watching your video I'd b amazed if you ever got this box back together, your what's known as a hoke! The fifth gear synchro is quite tricky to put back in place I doubt you have the skills, sorry!

[@Merryfrankster_]

AS a matter of fact I did a tutorial on reassembling the fifth gear syncro and you are an idiot.

[@sebastianchlebek3239]

@@Merryfrankster_ where is the tutorial. I am contemplating doing this on my s54, I want to know what I’m getting into🤟

[@Merryfrankster_]

@@sebastianchlebek3239 it's on a forum. Old school.

[@sebastianchlebek3239]

@@Merryfrankster_ I’ve been looking around on the forums for threads similar to this but the only One I could find is the one you posted with the link to this video, I’ll most likely end up doing it regardless I’m just hungry for as much knowledge before I start anything. My s54 is out right now because of a bad throwout, why not make it an lsd

[@Merryfrankster_]

@@sebastianchlebek3239 what exactly are you trying to do? If you are looking to remove and replace fith gear and syncro then look at any video for s54 s51 3153 e151 c56 C52 they are all nearly the same. If you are looking to replace the differential DO NOT USE THIS METhOD SHOWN HERE. YOU WILL SCREW IT UP. FOLLOW THE STEPS OF THE REPAIR MANUAL.

[@Polk859]

great video

[@pete9014]

Nice work with the pry bar on the finely machined mating surfaces....truly cringeworthy.

[@Merryfrankster_]

Son, these are not bearing surfaces, and they are to be resealed with FIPG, so get over your frigging self.

[@anthonywendt5834]

Please everybody.. DO NOT TAKE APART a C SERIES GEAR BOX THIS WAY! you can't even set the pre-load properly for a new lsd. Not trying to hate on the video either, but this is just sending out bad info... good way to lose $$$ I read the description already... don't need to tell me...

[@Merryfrankster_]

Bud I make a clear verbal disclaimer at the beginning of the video and a written warning in the description. If someone is deaf and blind and misses these there is probably no danger of them taking apart their transmission by any method. I am not sure what value you have added with your comment.

[@Merryfrankster_]

Maybe YOU have missed the fact that this is a video on an easy way to remove a differential. It is NOT a video on how to install a LSD which is what you seem fixated on. There is no mention of a LSD anywhere in this video.