Hello everyone, just reaching out here for any help and/or advice that I could get in what seems to be a unique situation that I have bestowed upon myself.

I have a 2013 AWD F Sport, and I have tried 3 separate times to fit these RR Racing LCA USRS (Street Version) bushings on my car. No matter what, the alignment of the inner hole that goes into the subframe assembly suspension crossmember does not line up at all. After removing the front bushing camber adjustment fastener, my brother and I were able to manipulate the RR bushing into place in the rear on the driver side and installed it the rest of the way. Even after all that the fitment was still terrible as there is a gap on the top between the brass thrust washer and bushing whilst the bottom is super tight, even with tightening the outer pre load fastener to close up the gap as much as we could.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... I went to install the passenger side, but didn't have the extra hands to manipulate the bushing to thread in that inner 17 mm fastener, so I stripped out the hole pretty bad. I bought a Helicoil kit and when that came in I drilled the hole, but when I was tapping it upside down at an angle with less than a foot of maneuverability; I went in crooked and messed the hole up even worse. Not only that, but ironically for a guy that wears safety glasses everyday at work, I wasn't while working on this at home and got metal in my eye so that made everything else worse of course (Yes, I learned my lesson).

Now I am without a car for days and the foreseeable future since nobody knows if they can repair the hole or they say they can't do it, or they say they would replace the whole frame which of course is way too expensive. I've never had these sort of fitment issues with any aftermarket parts on any of the cars I've owned. I've called regular mechanic shops, auto body shops, welding shops, and everybody says they will have to look at it in person which will probably cost $200 at least "just to look at it" for them to probably tell me that they can't fix it and have to get it towed somewhere else while I only have 1 free tow with AAA. I've included photos below of the damaged hole in question... As well as photos of the visible gap up top on the driver's side bushing installed, and a photo of the bushing in place showing that the inner holes do not line up at all.

Please help, lol

 

That stripped hole is a job for a welding shop. They can weld it shut, re-drill, and tap it straight. Don't let anyone tell you the whole subframe needs replacing. The fitment issue with the bushings is common; the pre-load nut is supposed to pull everything tight and eliminate that gap. Call around to fabrication shops specifically this is a standard repair for them.

 

Just installed these stiffer lower control arm bushings to mitigate front tire wear and I am very happy with the results. Steering response is a little better (partially due to new tires I am sure) and the nose doesn't dive when braking so much. I haven't experienced an appreciable increase in road noise or vibration, just a little more feedback through the steering wheel which I kind of like.