S54 5 Speed Transmission Bearing Kit? Options

[autumn012582]

I have a 97 celica gt 5SFE with a S54 transmission and in need of a transmission bearing replacement kit (without the gears, synchros etc).

Local auto stores do not currently carry this (although listed on their websites $250). I cannot afford a complete rebuild kit, which is available online (and do not need one as the gears look good).

Anyone know where I can buy this kit? I've spent hours and hours trying to find an online store and days on this site learning about this transmission (thank you!)

Junkyards in the Kansas City area are scarce of this transmission type. It's been 2 weeks now and need to put it back together. Any help of where I could find a transmission bearing kit would be appreciated.
I am not lazy just lost and on a tight budget.
6gc.net Threads Reviewed Include:
- http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...5&hl=tranny
- http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...71721&st=80
- http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...6&hl=tranny
- http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...ad+differential

[VavAlephVav]

Here's a wrecked one in Topeka for $500, if all else fails.

http://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/4743487778.html

[Box]

If you already have your transmission apart each bearing will have a part number which will make it even cheaper as then you can just buy them from anyone that specializes in bearings.

Everywhere I look it has the S52/53 rebuild kit for the S54 Celica, so that tells me you could use the bearings out of a earlier Celica or Camry. Though depending on how much that'd cost you might be better off buying new bearings. Another option if money is tight would be to look into using the S51 transmission from the later Camry/Solara as it should be easier to find. Also it's geared more for economy so you'll get a considerable boost in fuel economy.

This post has been edited by Box: Nov 22, 2014 - 2:49 PM

[njccmd2002]

check this...

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...71721&st=80

some part numbers there, and order from toyota... thats the only way to get them. Unless you note the brand on each bearing, and markings. and go through the manufactures...

[Smaay]

first off why do you think you need those bearings? the top bearings like these (borrow dustin's pic)


are sealed, they hardly need replacing unless you ran the trans out of oil. the lower bearings are pressed into the trans bell housing and you need to take it all apart to get to them.

so my question is, what is the problem first?

[VavAlephVav]

this is one of those things I've wondered about mine as well. Just because it seems to make so much whiney noise, or at least to me it seems to be louder than it should be. My friend who swapped the motor told me when he drained the tranny there was quite a bit of metal in the fluid. He told me to just keep flushing it with new fluid and that will clean it up good. Maybe that's all the noise is. I've been changing it about every 1000 miles and I think next time I'm going to try attaching a rare earth magnet to the drain plug to see how much stuff it picks up. Mine has 260k on the transmission.
Some days it seems fine and other times it just sounds kinda noisy to me, even though it's a low geared (4.176 final) transmission in the first place.

[Smaay]

its normal to see "glitter" in the transmission. its metal on metal all the time. its going to wear. its chunks of metal you have to worry about

[VavAlephVav]

Yeah, I was thinking there is just so much of it from over the 20 years/260k miles that it makes it noisier than it should be.

[autumn012582]

If you already have your transmission apart each bearing will have a part number which will make it even cheaper as then you can just buy them from anyone that specializes in bearings.

Everywhere I look it has the S52/53 rebuild kit for the S54 Celica, so that tells me you could use the bearings out of a earlier Celica or Camry. Though depending on how much that'd cost you might be better off buying new bearings. Another option if money is tight would be to look into using the S51 transmission from the later Camry/Solara as it should be easier to find. Also it's geared more for economy so you'll get a considerable boost in fuel economy.

I read on another post that all S-series transmissions use the same internals, just different gear ratios. Then it must have a different housing as well (no clue though-this is my other step). Thank you!

[enderswift]

I just rebuilt an s54 this past summer. Unfortunately you're not going to find a bearing kit for cheap. Many of those bearings are expensive. Even off-brand bearings cost a lot.

[autumn012582]

first off why do you think you need those bearings? the top bearings like these (borrow dustin's pic)


are sealed, they hardly need replacing unless you ran the trans out of oil. the lower bearings are pressed into the trans bell housing and you need to take it all apart to get to them.

so my question is, what is the problem first?

The car sat outside for over a year due to main oil seal leak and wheel bearings shot. These issues were fixed (assumed fixed*). I test drove my car and heard horrible deep swarring/scaping noises when the wheels turn and clutch engaged while driving over 5 mph. Since the wheel bearings were (assumed fixed* I will explain below), we figured to look at the tranny.

It was presumed that the throw out bearing and the output/input shaft bearings were in need of replacing. The throw bearing just fell off and did not need removal (ODD?). We removed the tranny and took off the housing. The gears all looked good, little metal shavings. One of the shifter forks are worn down. The differential bearings were loose and movable by hand (NORMAL?).

*Assumed fixed - It was determined later that both wheel bearings were not repaired - only one was repaired. Needless to say some of the noise issues could have been from the wheel bearing and my transmission was taken apart for no damn reason (thanks dad! :-$). The only benefit of this was discovering the excessive movement of the differential bearings.

Is it normal for the differential bearing to be this loose (approx 1/8 inch movement between each bearings)?

[Box]

If you mean one like this:

They have a little bit of play in them.

[njccmd2002]

why just not go to the yard and get a used transmission... cheaper, faster!!!!

[Box]

why just not go to the yard and get a used transmission... cheaper, faster!!!!

Did you forget the part where there aren't any?

[VavAlephVav]

hmmm picknpull on Truman has a 5 speed ST, but there's another 6gen just listed at the 12th street location - I haven't been there yet to see if it's a GT or not. You could snag the wheel bearings from it too.
of course they always pop up when I has no monies to spend at the salvage yard :<
Also I think the other option is to find an e153 5 speed from a Solara? Which is even better.

This post has been edited by VavAlephVav: Nov 30, 2014 - 11:01 PM

[Box]

It's also rarer. Why I mentioned the S51 since finding a later model Camry/Solara 4-cylinder manual shouldn't be that hard. Plus now with new findings it may not be the transmission anyway.

You know what happens when you assume? Takes me out of it and leaves you an ass.

[VavAlephVav]

[Box]

I should've footnoted that the second line was for the OP, I can't pass up the chance to have fun with words.

[autumn012582]

If you mean one like this:

They have a little bit of play in them.

Yeah. I ordered part 90366-40016 and its not it. Think thats for the C52 tranny Toyota asks for my vin, yet still orders the damn parts wrong.

[autumn012582]

If you mean one like this:

They have a little bit of play in them.

Yeah. I ordered part 90366-40016 and its not it. Think thats for the C52 tranny Toyota asks for my vin, yet still orders the damn parts wrong.

Its a trip~ the bearings ordered using my vin are larger than what I have on it (ha wtf). I appreciate everything guys/gals.

At this point I just want to put the tranny back together and take my chances!

[Box]

If it was ordered from the VIN it should be for the S series transmission, unless for some reason you have a ST that's been converted to a GT. That or people at the stealership are retarded.