Hi. 

Please point me in the right direction if needed, but i have searched already. 

Went to replace the front nearside wishbone today. Pinch bolt came out easy which i wasn't expecting. My issue is the other two bolts. Have sprayed them and let it soak but for some reason they just don't want to budge. Any ideas on how to get them out please ?. 🙏

They have to be very tight. Firstly don't use a 12 point socket else you'll round them If you haven't already got any, buy a set of impact sockets, these are always 6-sided. You're gonna need to use a fair bit of welly on a long breaker bar. I use a T bar and hit the shaft with a lump hammer to loosen things off.   And just had a thought, the previous person who fitted the wishbone might have used thread lock on the bolt,....so use a heat gun on hottest setting for a few minutes, which should soften the threadlock.

Heat nuts up, point flame at nuts and apply constant pressure.  If tried that buy new bolts cut them off. But should come off with heat.  Don't use any power tools, only hand tools and muscles. Once got the nut free, then can use power tool

Thanks guys.

Thread lock was one thing in the back of my mind !!. 

If only we had a ramp lol, it would make things so much easier. Not a lot of room for any extension bar of sorts when it's only on axle stands. Will try some heat of some sort and see if that helps. 

So frustrating that 2 bolts are in the way of doing what is essentially such an easy job. 

Replaced mine 6 months ago and managed to get off with a breaker bar ok..

Was just as cheap to replace the whole thing rather than just the ball joint ( which I did 12 months before that didn't last)

I bought a cheap pair of wishbones for under £40 from fleabay thinking my car was on the way out with over 200.000 thousand miles but it's still going

Cheap ones last about 18 months but keep you going

I'm also a fan of a 3ft breaker bar.  Strength and weight is not on my side so I've always had to use a bit of physics!  Get a bar with a 180 degree knuckle to use in tight spaces underneath, rather than the fixed bend type designed for wheel bolts.

On 2/23/2025 at 10:38 AM, Danny cj said:

Replaced mine 6 months ago and managed to get off with a breaker bar ok..

Was just as cheap to replace the whole thing rather than just the ball joint ( which I did 12 months before that didn't last)

I bought a cheap pair of wishbones for under £40 from fleabay thinking my car was on the way out with over 200.000 thousand miles but it's still going

Cheap ones last about 18 months but keep you going

Hi Danny.

Yes i bought the whole wishbones as it seems a better option. I don't do many miles at all so the cheaper ones will see me right for a good while (if we can get them on 😂)

As I said..I went with a 2.5 foot breaker bar ..

Don't forget to put the car in its normal running mode..ie on the floor with the wheels on before tightening the two bolts under the car..ball joint will be OK but you can do it if your on ramps

All sorted at last. The worst arm looked like it was in fact a second hand one so we discovered when we removed it. The second one came off so easily in comparison, it may have been ok but seeing as i'd bought the pair, better to do them both !.

We did do as you suggested regarding tightening the two bolts. Found a great guide on you tube and that's where i saw him do that. 

I think the issue with the bolts can be seen in this picture ( blue). All i can say is just 'WHY' 😠. Still, all back together now and it seems to have solved the problem (until the next one 😂). 

My hubby's van also passed the MOT yesterday, although i don't know how 😂. Today they will both be getting a nice wash and hoover. 

Thanks again guys 😊

Talking of wishbone anyone have a link or parts number of the 3 bolts required for the wishbone? Thanks

Think these are the ones needed on ebay

275777740543

On 4/19/2025 at 12:40 PM, knocker1 said:

Talking of wishbone anyone have a link or parts number of the 3 bolts required for the wishbone? Thanks

If you don't already know, then catcar.info is your best friend when you need Ford part numbers ( called finis codes). Select Ford, then choose your vehicle, type in your vin and browse through the different diagrams.