Had to leave it for a week - busy with other things. All back together now. That was a mission - probably not an easy job at the best of times due to how tight it is working around the bellhousing, but the problems splitting the box from the engine due to the seized pilot bearing really did my head ...

So, I finally got the gearbox out. I levered the gearbox off evenly once I got enough gap to get a 10mm flange nut in, tightened the bolts from the bellhousing side with flat steel plates to block the threaded holes in the block. This was a slow and a very nasty job. I lost a bit of skin and blood. ...

OK - I should have removed the exhaust, it wouldn't have been in the way of getting to the bolts on the bellhousing, but the bracket would stop the bellhousing from going back. Unfortunately the flange on the Jap import 1.8 with 4:2:1 headers has three studs on the flange. The only way to get to the...

This afternoon I set it up on ramps/stands, nice and safe. Removed the PPF no problems, slung aside and out of the way. I've left the exhaust in place for now - managed to sneak a small impact driver above - with 3/8 adapter, extension and socket, it had enough grunt to get the top bolts out. The lo...

The clutch thowout bearing seems to have died in our 98 NB. Maybe it had been getting rumbly / squeaky, but I hadn't noticed. It seems to be toast now - died when my wife was pulling in to the carpark at work. Have checked master/slave cylinder, all seem good. Idling out of gear with clutch depresse...