The diff has oil seals round the holes where the drives shafts go (obviously, otherwise all the diff oil would leak out!). On the inside of the seals are metal spring rings that hold the rubber tightly against the shafts. I'd put rags in the holes to prevent any grit/grime from getting in. When Mike pulled out the rag it flipped the rubber lip and the spring fell out. After several hours of Mike patiently trying to get it back in we decided it wasn't going to go back with the oil seal in place. The MX-5 service manual wasn't much help. Under the appropriate section it said "Remove the oil seal". At least we knew we could get it out without having to remove and totally dismantle the diff. After a very careful operation with several spanners and a crowbar, Mike managed to get the oil seal out without damaging it. Once out the metal spring simply slotted in.
To replace the oil seal we wanted something that was the exact diameter. Scouring the garage came up with nothing. In the end a small Sprite can was an exact fit! With good lubrication and careful pressure the oil seal pushed back into place.
And here it is with the unique build accessory:
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