You should try some PlusGas penetrating oil instead of WD 40.
WD 40 isn't a penetrating oil it's a water dispersant whatever it says on the can.
PlusGas is much more effective at freeing rusty bits.
If you ever do get it out just coat the thing with black grease before you put it back in, won't stick then.

supershuttle wrote:

'Fraid so, well insofar as it certainly went in but it's very reluctant to come out.

I guess the first owner of the car fitted it in 2007 and it's never been out since, I've only had the car months and off and on I've been trying to remove it since I got it.

I will try a different penetrating oil - thanks for that - and of course a bigger hammer. I have actually, in a rare act of pragmatism, just bought a new bike carrier (delivered this morning) that clamps to the tow ball (the LR ones seemed too pricey) which obviously makes it at least useful to me to have it on. Just to be crystal clear though I am in no way giving up - I will keep trying to get it off because it should come off, it will come off and it wil look better off

I refuse to be beaten

and I am sorry if I accidentally hijacked this thread - again  Geoff
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2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue
Rimini Red / Sand

Thanks Stan but I bought a 4T bottle jack specially to try that - didn't work but it's better than the dodgy scissor jack that comes with the car so nothing lost  Geoff
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2007 3.6 TDV8 Vogue
Rimini Red / Sand

Might be worth taking the towbar off the car, you could then stand it on it's sides and pour penetrating oil in from both ends. Would also allow you to knock it out from the "far end".

I tried a 12 tonne bottle jack on its side, and all that done was to put a strain on the hitch plate. It bothered me too supershuttle, more so because when I reversed into my driveway the hitch would sometimes bottom out on the pavement.

Easier to remove the armature and press it out as I've already said, the bumper is easy enough to remove and then only a few bolts hold the armature on 

My detachable towbar won't come out. If I turn the plastic knob, it goes loose but won't actually detach. I just unbolt it from the square section now and use the square blanking grommet when not in use. A pin would be better than a bolt though 02 Vogue

Have you tried to turn and pull the knob away from the tow bar?