is it possible to remove the wishbone as a whole unit, ive read the haynes and it tells me to remove the wheel hub etc, cant the lower ball joint be removed without faffing around with the hub and do i need any special tool that it quotes, as im dont want to renew the bushes, just the wishbone as a whole unit which sounds more logical.
You can remove the wishbone by : 21mm nut on the bottom of the hub, 2x15mm bolts at the back, 1x18mm bolt from the front. Then pry it out from the subframe sideways as it kinda slots in.
You have to pull the wishbone down out of the hub as you undo the 21mm nut else it will catch on the cv boot.
I hope thats what you meant anyway.
You have to pull the wishbone down out of the hub as you undo the 21mm nut else it will catch on the cv boot.
I hope thats what you meant anyway.
matacaibo
Active Member
What a coincidence !!, just picked up 2 new front wishbones & the rear bushes & housings this afternoon. Like you I wondered why the hub has to be removed, both Haynes & LR Rave agree, the only thing I can see is that you cant get a socket & torque wrench on the ball joint nut when the new strut is isnstalled, their isn't enough room between the drive shaft & the nut. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, I might just use a wrench & the German torque setting ( guttentight ). 
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
thats all you need do there not usually that tight and come undone with 22mm or 7/8 open ended spanner
matacaibo
Active Member
Looking at the pics I think the special tool is just a ball joint splitter to release the taper from the hub.
jamesmartin
Well-Known Member
wack the side of socket ,ball joint goes through dont use splitter they damage gaiter
matacaibo
Active Member
How do you mean "whack the side of the socket" ? will that release the taper ?, theres a new ball joint on the new wishbones so aren't too bothered if it damages the gaiter.
