Time Capsule: disk can't be found

We're using a 2TB Time Capsule with two MBPs, one running Snow Leopard and the other Lion. We've been using the TC happily for about two years. Now, suddenly, backups are failing because the disk can't be found.
Salient points:
* No configuration has changed since the time it was working fine - that includes passwords, network settings etc.
* When trying to back up, an error pops up saying: "The backup disk could not be found. Make sure the backup disk is connected or open Time Machine preferences to select a different backup disk."
* The name of the TC appears in the sidebar in Finder, but clicking on it shows 'Connection failed'. If I try 'Connect as...' I get the error: "The backup disk could not be found. Make sure the backup disk is connected or open Time Machine preferences to select a different backup disk."
* Using AirPort Utility, I have no problem seeing the TC. I can also see the disk details. I've even reformatted the disk from here.
* There's no network problem reaching the TC.
* I've updated the firmware on the TC and rebooted it several times.
* From System Preferences -> Time Machine I have tried using Select Disk.... It shows the TC disk as an option by any attempt to select it produces: "There was a problem connecting to the server <name of TC>.local"
Is it possible the TC is failing?

TC is connected to my existing wifi.
Does this mean you are using join a wireless network as connection?? If so that is proven over and over to be flakey.. and why it is a hidden option. Plug the TC directly into the main router by ethernet. Use it either by ethernet or by wifi, but ethernet is definitely the preferred method.
Extend a wireless network to another apple router is different and much better configuration.
There is no magic bullet to the problem.
Hope this helps others and obviously hoping someone might shed some light on root cause of this issue.
Thanks
Root cause is clearly poor network stability since Snow Leopard and TC firmware 7.5.2 which I have run for ages and ages with zero issues.. but as soon as I play with later TC firmware, I run into problems.. Apple made a major change to SMB and AFP protocol in Lion. So far Apple have not fessed up. But if you check the logs.. which of course you cannot from 6.1 airport utility.. you will find a series of disconnections of AFP.. but again I am not sure if that is cause or effect.
If you want to pursue this to the end.. which might help but still not fix it.. I am happy to follow the thread "all the way." Most people give up rather quickly. This is a network hard nut .. you are not going to get silver bullet.. as it is clearly worse for some than others.
Stuff I need..
What OS is the computer running? Is it clean installed or upgrade? This is important for wireless in particular as Mountain Lion does not work properly on lots of computers with upgrade installs.
Explain the whole network layout? Mode the TC is running in.
And as a first step for you.. I do assume you are running ML otherwise you could just install 5.6 utility.
How to load 5.6 into ML.
1. Download 5.6 for Lion.
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1482
Click to open the dmg but do not attempt to install the pkg.. it won't work anyway.
2. Download and install unpkg.
http://www.timdoug.com/unpkg/
Run unpkg on the desktop.. it is very simple.. drag the AirPortUtility56.pkg file over to unpkg.. and it will create a new directory of the same name on the desktop.. drill down.. applications utilities .. there lo and behold is Airport utility 5.6 .. drag it to your main utilities directory or just run it from current location.
You cannot uninstall 6.1 so don't try.. and you cannot or should not run them both at the same time.. so just ignore the toyland version.. the plastic hammer.. and start using 5.6.. a real tool.

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    MattLat wrote:
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