Hello

I've just joined the forum and being cheeky have a issue, which I would grateful for any feedback on. I needed to change the rear springs on my Focus 1.8 TDCI, but when I tried to loosen the bolt which secured the wishbone to the tie-bar and knuckle I found it was rusted solid and wouldn't budge. Despite lots of penetrating oil and much physical effort no joy, so I popped into my local National Tyres depot. I asked them about moving this bolt and they said they could do it for me, and I left it with them. When I returned they told me the captive nut welded on the tie-bar and knuckle had broken it's weld, when they used a bar breaker on the bolt! They told me this was not uncommon happening when they changed springs, and it would be ok to replace the old bolt and captive nut with a regular nut and bolt when the spring was replaced. I have since got a set of wishbone bolts and nuts but am a bit sceptical about this. Is this ok to replace this captive nut and it's bolt with a free nut and bolt provided they are loctited and torqued correctly? If it is, does it have any effect when the car goes for the next MOT? Thanks for any help on this

Hello

I've just joined the forum and being cheeky ha ve a issue, which I would grateful for any feedback on. I needed to change the rear springs on my Focus 1.8 TDCI, but when I tried to loosen the bolt which secured the wishbone to the tie-bar and knuckle I found it was rusted solid and wouldn't budge. Despite lots of penetrating oil and much physical effort no joy, so I popped into my local National Tyres depot. I asked them about moving this bolt and they said they could do it for me, and I left it with them. When I returned they told me the captive nut welded on the tie-bar and knuckle had broken it's weld, when they used a bar breaker on the bolt! They told me this was not uncommon happening when they changed springs, and it would be ok to replace the old bolt and captive nut with a regular nut and bolt when the spring was replaced. I have since got a set of wishbone bolts and nuts but am a bit sceptical about this. Is this ok to replace this captive nut and it's bolt with a free nut and bolt provided they are loctited and torqued correctly? If it is, does it have any effect when the car goes for the next MOT? Thanks for any help on this

well it shows there inexperience in the event of a bolt that wont budge ford would undo the rear subframe bolts and drop it that way easy access the bolts on the rear are all stuck solid on all fords ford didnmt grease them before assembly at the plant as wether its okay to put a nut and bolt on i couldnt advise if in doubt take it to ford and tell them you have a safety concern and is what they have done okay