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[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Changed o/s wishbone yesterday. Easy enough job. Today I'm doing the n/s which isn't so simple apparently.
Access to the bolt for the rear bush is difficult, but I managed to undo it ok. Then lost the bolt in the subframe. Managed to retrieve it using a magnet on a stick, and now need to insert it from the top which is proving a problem. I have it taped to the socket so it doesn't fall off, and try pushing it down from above but it doesn't want to go far. Looks like the holes may be offset ?
Anyone have a magic trick for this ?
Tia.

[Entwood]

Time and patience ... last time I resorted to pushing it in from the wrong side (underneath) then applying the trolley jack to the wishbone to hold it in place, remove bolt and try it from the top .. still needed a wiggle with a screwdriver from below to get it in .. but it goes eventually ...

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Thanks Nige. I have plenty of time and a modicum of patience, so will keep trying. I have managed (with a bit of difficulty) to insert it from underneath and then pull it out again,so hope fully the wishbone is in the correct position. I may try the trolleyjack idea though. 

[Doctor Gollum]

I use a sturdy screwdriver/3/8th extension bar from underneath, and a nearly dislocated wrist from above to wiggle the bolt in... Then use a 6" long 1/2" breaker bar with 21mm socket wedged against the idler heat shield whilst you wind the nut on

[terry paget]

I lie below, look up at the alignment of the 2 holes, and tap the wishbone with a mallet until the holes line up.

[iansoutham]

When I did mine, I put the bolt from the front bush through from underneath first and then tapped that down with the proper bolt from on top. They stay together and keep the line nicely. Just don't rush it.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I was trying to put it in the wrong hole !  ...........the oval shaped hole in the chassis leg, under the ABS pump. Once I realised that, it was reasonably straightforward to put it in the right hole. 
Now, for some reason, I cant get the ball joint in the bottom of the strut. The wishbone doesnt sem to want to go low enough to allow it to go in. Front bush bolt isn't in yet and rear bush isn't done up tight, but is in place. I tried jacking the strut up a little, but it sprung out and whacked me on the head, so I now have a nice lump.
There goes my career as  Brad Pitt lookalike. 
The other side went smooth as silk by comparison. I guess I'm doing something wrong, so I'm off to have another look at the guide.

[Doctor Gollum]

Wrong end of a 2ft breaker in the wishbone hole and push down...

[Seth]

Much easier if you disconnect the drop-link!

[terry paget]

I always compress the strut spring with a couple of spring compressors. Then I have a son heave the wishbone down with a long steel pipe, and I mean long. I used to involve the wife, but she pulled a muscle once and won't do it any more.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

All done now. I think the brain just wasn't switched on today. After my last post I went back and studied the angle of the dangle for a while, then pushed and pulled for a minute, and in it went. 

[Toledodude1973]

i did exactly the same sometimes walking away ,thinking about it and then tackling the job works

[Doctor Gollum]

All done now. I think the brain just wasn't switched on today. After my last post I went back and studied the angle of the dangle for a while, then pushed and pulled for a minute, and in it went. 

Are we still talking wishbone bolts?...

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Yep.  ............still talking about wishbone bolts - once I realised I had been trying to put it in the wrong hole and put it in the right hole, I lost it altogether. It ended up in the middle of the crossmember. It took over an hour to get it out. In the end a length of plastic tube with a magnet stuck on the end retrieved it.
It took about 6 hours all in. I should have took pics and wrote a guide, "How not to fit your wishbones". 
I'm having a day off tomorrow, apart from giving it a wash. I think all the major jobs are done now anyway. Just left with minor niggles that keep me awake on these hot summer nights. 

[Andy H]

I always compress the strut spring with a couple of spring compressors. Then I have a son heave the wishbone down with a long steel pipe, and I mean long. I used to involve the wife, but she pulled a muscle once and won't do it any more.

I used to do that but it involves applying a lot of force to your new rear bushes

Since I discovered how to set the camber myself I now loosen the bolts between the strut and the steering knuckle (can't think of a better name for it right now) to make it easy to plug the ball joint back in.