I have a stripped front subframe bolt hole that I need to fix. I have a heli-coil repair kit but the issue is clearance to drill out the hole; the lower control arm is in the way. Any suggestions as to how to gain clearance without removing the lower control arm and messing up my alignment (car was recently aligned and corner balanced) I am thinking if I disconnect the upper control arm (no eccentric bolts) and the sway bar, tie rod and coilover; that could give enough clearance when the lower arm swings down further.

My alignment guy can't help out until early october; any suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

 

If you have a paint marker, you can make an alignment mark on the eccentric bolts and remove the lower arm. After you perform the repair, you can use the alignment mark to get your alignment at least ball park. Alignments don't stay good forever.

Matt

 

^ as he stated marking the eccentric bolts before removing them and putting them in the same spot should give you very close to what it was at.

undoing all those other bolts while not "adjustable" would probably potentially throw things off ever so slightly anyway id imagine.

 

Thanks; I think I will do the paint marker + pictures and go the lower control arm route, then an alignment.