Yep thats what i've done, along with every other Mondeo i've done in the past, bought brand new bolts from Ford and put them in from the bottom after cutting the old one that fouls the box but this problem has started, and never had it before!

We had a bit of bother gettin the n/s ball joint in, but went in eventually. Wondering if the angle of the shaft isnt quite right or something like that?