so today was trying to replace the front black metal cross member in my ba and just couldn't get the fker out. .

un-done all the bolts and thought the wishbones would "relax" down a bit so I could slide them out, swap the member and be done before lunch to have a beer.

ended up a couple hours of swearing and chucked it in for the day with just the bolts removed and no further progress made. which was a bit frustrating.

anyone else done this? any tips of what im doing or done wrong before I just chop it up with a grinder and try "massage" the new one in?