@ Adrian: OK, I did not understand correctly before, what you were doing. Now I understand,
So yes, interesting test you did there.
I just can't confirm that this is a "real life test". Yes, it gives us a little bit of confidence, but in real life the ATF is probably coming in with more pressure, plus the shaft is rotating...

PS: But doing such a stationary test is definitely better with ATF from the outside than with gear oil from the inside, because gear oil has the higher viscosity...

 

I like the leak test approach. Makes sense to me.

 

@Peter_of_Australia @95naSTA @astromorg I just thought I'd check in. It's nearly the end of March and I got the TC out yesterday.....too many other interuptions.
However I've taken on board ideas and suggestions from this forum, all helpful, and I've made some vatiations to the removal preceedure.
Just a couple of examples.
The exhaust clamp that holds the pipe to the rear cat...I've now refitted it 180 degrees...easier to get to the nut as it's now on the outside instead of hiding behind the exhaust....and fighting with a nut that had been there for 24 years.
The "special" tool. I spent days trying to get that upper left bolt undone on the cat bracket. Made 3 or 4 versions of the tool, but the bolt was that tight that the tool kept slipping off the head of the bolt. My way of getting that pesky bolt loose was this. ....I removed the anti sway bracket, which was unbolted but still sitting on the studs on the TC. I used the method from another post....drilled out the spot welds, which made it easier to remove in two pieces....aslo made it easier to get to the right bolt attaching that curved section to the engine. Now I needed this off because....I made my special tool, which was some flat bar with the end of a 1/2AF ring spanner welded to the end. (1/2AF fitted the head of the pesky bolt better.) I also cut a piece of 16mm bar at an angle. With a bit of bending anf shaping, the bar with spanner fitted up between the TC end engine, ring spanner over the head of the bolt, the round bar jammed gently between the cat and the bolt head to stop the spanner from jumping off, and presto...bolt undone. It's just like a long arm ring spanner. The anti roll bracket needs to be removed to give access to do this..I just regret not taking more photos.
There's other things that I did a little differently, and knowing what I know now, and given my limited space, I reckon I could swap a TC in a day...maybe two.....no rear subframe dropping, no heat shield removal, no steering column undoing etc. I know I only have limited photos, but do you think it's worth me doing a post on how I did my removal. I've attached a couple of photos...my "special) tool and the modified exhaust clamp and anti roll bracket.


Modified anti roll bracket

Nuts welded on....bolts fir from top

My Special tool and jamming bar.

Reversed clamp on exhaust from rear cat.

I had to cut the studs off the flange that attaches to the exhaust pipe....drilled out the studs, cut a new gasket with my last piece of exhaust gasket material I had...bolts will actually make fitting easier.