Removing Front Wishbones

It's a job that I'll be doing soon, so here's the question:

Can they be swapped without dropping the front subframe? I'd like answers from people who've tried, not those who've read on the internet somewhere...

The reason I ask is I could do it on my Metro easily enough by removing a couple of the subframe mount bolts (as these were what stopped you getting onto the rear bolts) My subframe is complicated by an LPG tank so I don't want to disturb it if I don't have to...

Thanks

We had a query about this one in the shoutbox yesterday.

Ocado Man wrote: MOT pass today!! One advisory, front o/s wishbone corroded but not seriously weakened. Can't find a 'How To'. Lots or rear suspension & front ball joints etc, but nowt about front wishbone. Looking on www it looks like a job for mechanic. Something about dropping front sub frame!!

David Aiketgate wrote: It's a simple job, that's immensely frustrating because to get the pivot bolt out you need to drop the back of the front subframe.

If you decide to tackle it, a few pics would be appreciated if you could please. :broon:

In a word, no. When I replaced the bushes I had to drop the subframe so that you can remove the long pivot bolt that the wishbone is held on with.
You only have to drop it a couple of inches. Don't fotget to undo the bottom steering column clamp, this is accessable from the driver's side footwell.