This something I referred to in my post re 'fuel pipe' and I felt it deserved a post of it's own. When storm Doris had died down I was able to give the car a few more runs up and down the roadway. The noise sounds like something is a bit dry but is not constant. Occasionally the clutch/gearchange operation is perfect but then sometimes the noise kicks in at any stage during the operation.

I have taken off the gearbox and withdrawn the drive shaft (it came out with the gearbox because the muff coupling is dry on the splines). The shaft was absolutely covered in grease and the alloy tunnel is also full of it. Someone told me a while back that our American cousins where not really very pro-active when it comes to lubricating their vehicles. A previous owner of my car was apparently the exception. I am not complaining becuase I am assuming that the sliding collar and tube should be in good order.

I shone a torch down the tunnel and I think maybe the shaft spigot bearing looks a little suspect. The engine has to come out which at this stage is not a big issue because the majority of the bodywork is off.

Looks like I shall be fitting a complete clutch assy while am at it but research indicates that sourcing the correct parts could be tricky. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I do wish I could figure out how to post pics.

Nev.