Bottom Ball/Swivel Joints

[Phaeton]

Car failed MOT yesterday only on a split outer CV boot on drivers side & the front ABS reluctor rings on both side, the clutch release bearing is squealing so it seemed a logical time to change that as well. Took wheels off, undid both driveshaft nuts, made sure that both driveshafts would move back through the hub, got the strut pinch bolt out of both sides. But I cannot for the life on my get the bottom arm/swivel stub to come out of the strut. I have a 6ft bar hooked under the anti-roll bar & the big loop that is there, passing over the bottom arm, I have a jack under the disc but I cannot separate them. I've done this on loads of cars before & it's always work, but is there some secret trick to the 206cc?

I was hoping to get the driveshafts out today so I can find out if the reluctors are 86 or 90mm it's a 51 plate 2.0L 206cc if anyone can confirm their size.

Alan...

[Capncol]

I use a blunt cold chisel to open the gap where you removed the pinch bolt, theni use a long bar to lever the wishbone down and whack the joint with a copper hide mallet. Never failed yet.

[Phaeton]

Well I found another forum where somebody had taken pictures of some wood blocks they had used to remove them. Seeing that made me realize that my pivot point was wrong so I made some blocks of wood & using a shorter metal but levering from under where the bottom arm pivots they both came out fairly easily.

I've removed the passenger side drive shaft but the drivers goes through a carrier do I need to remove that to take the gearbox out? I can do the work for the MOT now but the clutch release bearing is making a right racket so thought I'd do it at the same time.

[gazza82]

I've removed the passenger side drive shaft but the drivers goes through a carrier do I need to remove that to take the gearbox out? I can do the work for the MOT now but the clutch release bearing is making a right racket so thought I'd do it at the same time.

Yes. The driveshaft is one long one on the driver side. The bolts are eccentric so once loose they come out easily ... which can't always be said for the central bearing ...