TRANSMISSION

Clutches last around 50,000 miles and replacements can be expensive. With the gearbox in neutral, depress the clutch and listen for input shaft bearing noises. If it’s an early 199092 five-speeder with a loose lever or a noisy ’box or it pops out of gear, check for snap ring or circlip failure. Noise under load and popping out of gear in early manuals are the giveaways. The affected range is J4A4-1003542 to J4A4-1005978, identified on the white gearbox number sticker.