Well, I couldnt put it off. The 95'M plater has done 88k and done it's share of dragging the caravan. But looking at the grey January weather, feeling the bitter cold and as I didn't want another hernia-inducing episode underneath, I got a price of £300 from the local fettler all-in which I didn't think too bad.

Anyhow, she's back. The plate was down to the studs, the release bearing was well and truly shafted as i suspected and at home I had to refit the 'box breather at the top by the stick and they had left about an inch of 'flap' on the pedal which meant the cable had to be taken up a touch, But otherwise a top job and it's transformed the car. I did notice however that the clock had only been stopped for 2 3/4 hour meaning the battery had been disconnected for that time...must be a record, it took me that long just to remove the box! Also, we should be grateful with our standard north-south drive system....He was telling me that Mondeo's can be as much as £750, which means that many of the older examples are being written off by the cost of a clutch fitting...