I'm genuinely surprised by the amount of comment this post has produced, and touched by the offers of help. Having owned 25s since 1991, I'm fully aware of the spring compressor thing. In typical Renault style, no ordinary compressor will do, it has to be the special Renault tool - which can be hired from the Renault owner's club. My mechanical knowledge of autoboxes is "limited," so I have to listen to the words of those who know. Having spoken to a couple of guys who've rebuilt dozens of the A4 boxes, I'm assured that the problem IS a collapsed bearing. I have nurtured the box as it's a notorious weakness, with a life expectancy of about 60k. I have changed the ATF twice, and also the paper filter, and driven it gently. The fluid is still clear, and the forward gears shift perfectly. But, it has about 70k on it, and despite the care, it's succumbed. My heart is telling me to fix it, but my head is saying no. Not fully decided yet, but I suspect it's terminal.