Ford focus mk1 Control arm/wishbone removal

[@kevinski1966]

Thanks for uploading this. It's refreshing to see a guy do this without too many fancy tools so the average DIY er can have some guidance

[@flycorvus]

The only thing I hate on my daily driver Focus: rust.

[@Vassle]

Great video so much help! I can't get the ball joint out of the hub carrier! Been at it with a steel bar and a lump hammer but it still won't budge. The pin was severely rusted too

[@tomcope5431]

Sorry for the late reply! How are you getting on? sometimes they are very tight! Try Spraying with release fluid. Also try hitting it from different angles. Hopefully it will budge for you.

[@Vassle]

@@tomcope5431Thanks for the reply. I managed to get it out! My neighbour eventually came out to see what all the banging was and lent me a pickle fork and a 4lb lump hammer, a few swift blows and the job was a good un! Had to buy a new pinch bolt, but managed to square that away on ebay for £3.99. Back to the mot station tomorrow!

[@tomcope5431]

Excellent! well done 👍

[@sdhiuzhgwin3904]

@@Vassle You need a pretty long and strong bar, stick it between the lower control arm ball joint and the halfshaft as close to the knuckle as you can not damaging anything (cv boot) and support the rear end of the bar under the frame (it should give you something about 20°-35° angle off the center of the car to the left or to the right depending on which side you are working on) preferably support it with some woodblock between the bar and the car not to scrape antirust protection and in the front you should have at least 3 feet or more of the bar sticking out. The more the better and you just put some pressure on the front end of the bar. You can step on it, jump on it (careful!) or give it some preload and then hit it with a hammer. The ball joint has no chance to stay in the knuckle. When you know how to do this properly, it is like 30 seconds job even for the most stubborn joint you can find. I used to fight them for hours before too, now it is like F1 pitstop 😁

[@brendanobrien5842]

Think youd have done better using some real tools..

[@tomcope5431]

Yeah, I'm hoping to get to the point where I can just twist the nuts off with my fingers but not quite there yet.

[@brendanobrien5842]

@@tomcope5431 wasnt being meaning for that to sound cheeky. I was supposed to be replacing my L n R bottom wishbones balljoints trackrods all around springs and shocks yesterday. Using my nephews comprehensive tools! Only to find hes locked every single toolbox up he keeps in my garage.. Started to trying to make a start at least with the socket and spanner set that's there and I thought about comment to you!!🤣🤣