Wishbone Help
 

I'm trying to replace the driver's side wishbone and have the difficult roll bar bush bolt half way out but have rounded the head on it. Seemed to be coming along quite nicely but a couple of turns rounded it. If I can get the bar steward back in, am I able to take out the wish bone bolts with an offset ring spanner? I'm looking at my options with that roll bar bolt and they seem very limited. I've been at it for 3 hours now - I've got deep sockets, swivel heads, extensions etc but just don't seem to be able to get any decent purchase on it. I've ordered some deep sockets on Prime that are hexagonal and am hoping I can get the bolt tightened up again with one but will I still be able to do the original job?

File the bolt head to create flats then get a spanner on it and remove. Once it's out you can file it properly down 1 size. I'd drop the subframe for that job, the rear bush bolts can be a pain, and the ball joint in the subframe is always fun.

Hi Billy,

I had trouble with one of my anti-roll bar bush screws (with the tiny 10mm AF heads). What you need is Irwin bolt extractors.

Don't give up on what you're doing. Once the ARB is out of the way you'll be able to use a socket on both lower arm (it's not a wishbone!) bolts. This will not only make removal easier and safer but will also allow you to tighten them to the specified torque. ;)

Simon

Got it - didn't think for a second my 16mm would fit over my 10mm extractor in that tiny space. Thanks mate! Just need a new one now - that one is totally goosed. Next one shouldn't be so bad it has better access...

Struggling to get the lower arm bolts out now. This is a pig of a job!

HI Billy.
There is no need to remove the ARB bolts the lower wish bone bush bolts are from under the car and from the wheel arch :shrug:

Swivel knuckle socket for the rear bolt.
https://i.imgur.com/UAMo9l6l.jpg1

https://i.imgur.com/bfmWzcSl.jpg2

https://i.imgur.com/EeZZhqBl.jpg3

https://i.imgur.com/XmyZduVl.jpg4

The front one you can use two ring spanner combined with a sump plug remover.
https://i.imgur.com/42aD7F4l.jpg5

https://i.imgur.com/olBjmYFl.jpg6

https://i.imgur.com/Gp7kYw1l.jpg7

https://i.imgur.com/5oCCgfAl.jpg8

That is unless you have a spanner which i have which was an aviation spanner then worked to fit the space from under the car for the front bolt.
https://i.imgur.com/KkkFmyMl.jpg9

work from the car being on ramps if you have any.

Arctic, that method of combining the ring spanners is the best idea I've seen in ages. Very smart!

Tried everything and couldn't crack them

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...1&d=1623174419

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...1&d=1623174467

I've never been defeated by a car - ever. Till today. And it was a control arm that did it of all things! I've done some right finickety jobs over the years but this one took the biscuit - after 8 hours I'd removed 4 of 6 bolts using every ratchet, swivel, extension, adapter, jiggery pokery thingy mabobble and still never manged to crack it! Time for a beer and into the garage tomorrow.