BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW 3 Series E30 (1984-1991)

Here at Turner we understand the importance of an upgrade that will get the results you need on the track and still be tolerable on the drive around town. When it comes to control arms on the track, making them as stiff as you can (usually using solid mounts) is the best way to increase your driving precision by eliminating the deflection of rubber. The next best thing to create a balance would be to stiffen up the control arm with polyurethane, giving you the option of a more stock like feel with 80a or closer to the solid feel with 95a durometers.

When it comes to the E36 chassis you also get the options of choosing a stock centered design or going with the E30 inspired offset bushing to increase castor, further taking advantage of improvd handling. These poly bushings will give your control arms a direct connection between your suspension and the body of the car eliminating the slop felt under take-off and braking so you feel more in control of your vehicle. 

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

Here at Turner we understand the importance of an upgrade that will get the results you need on the track and still be tolerable on the drive around town. When it comes to control arms on the track, making them as stiff as you can (usually using solid mounts) is the best way to increase your driving precision by eliminating the deflection of rubber. The next best thing to create a balance would be to stiffen up the control arm with polyurethane, giving you the option of a more stock like feel with 80a or closer to the solid feel with 95a durometers.

When it comes to the E36 chassis you also get the options of choosing a stock centered design or going with the E30 inspired offset bushing to increase castor, further taking advantage of improvd handling. These poly bushings will give your control arms a direct connection between your suspension and the body of the car eliminating the slop felt under take-off and braking so you feel more in control of your vehicle.

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

Control arm bushings play a key role in connecting the wheels to the chassis of the vehicle. Tasked with keeping suspension geometry in check while absorbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) factory rubber bushings were engineered to provide a balance of comfort and control. As a factory bushing ages, it becomes brittle and begins to harden. When this happens the bushing will actually shrink and allow excess play in the suspension joint. This is typically felt by a sudden jerk forward after the car comes to a stop and is a leading cause of "sloppy" or "loose" suspension feel. By replacing the bushing with a full polyurethane unit or using a bushing insert, this play is eliminated since the suspension joint is being supported by a much stiffer material that will not harden or shrink over time. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of the urethane material translates body forces much more directly. This means steering inputs from the driver are effectively transferred to the wheels and vital road information is transmitted properly from the wheels to the driver.

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

Our experience with spherical front control arm ball joints go back to those we designed and used in our IMSA E90 328i and E92 M3 racecars (GS class Champions in 2011).  We wanted to offer e30, e36, and e46 owners similar levels of handling precision and control for the track and street, but weren’t satisfied with the other options out there. Instead of a Delrin® bushing or unsealed spherical bearing alone, we selected an oversized sealed greaseable spherical monoball to offer unparalleled durability and precision, but designed a Delrin® adapter sleeve to help isolate the added noise, vibration, and harshness that a full solid monoball bearing will have. While race-ready, our hybrid Delrin®/monoball control arm bearings are more at home on the street than other kits that are advertised as “race-only” bearings. We did extensive street, autocross, and track testing to ensure the spherical bearing used in this bushing design excelled in each setting.

The stock rubber bushings, even those found in the M3, allow significant fore/aft movement of the front wheels to help absorb road impacts, especially when being pushed hard.  This soft flexible design maximizes daily driving comfort, but also allows considerable alignment change.  This unwanted deflection stands between you and a crisp, confidence-inspiring driving experience.  The advantage of a monoball bearing is that it will not deflect under load, eliminating all unwanted deflection while still allowing complete freedom of movement in the desired angles. What you get is superior steering precision with better handling from more consistent alignment and direct braking feedback, with exceptional service life.  Thanks to the Delrin® insert and double lip seals, there's none of the extra noise or reduced service life often found on other spherical bearings.

In short, if you're seeking front control arm bushings that offer precise, predictable handling, crisper braking feel, with a long service life free from noise - look no further. We have you covered.

Watch to learn more about Turner Monoball Bushings

Features:

Bearing housing

• Precision CNC machined from 6061-T6 blue anodized aluminum with a pre-installed grease fitting and grease distribution channels making this a serviceable design
• Knurling allows for a wide variance in lollipop dimension, although this particular SKU comes pre-installed, so you won't need to worry about that. Want to install your own? Click here. 

Bearing

• A high quality sealed bearing with Delrin® inserts. Delrin® was chosen due to durability under pressure, while still soft enough to create a perfect play-free fitment on the control arm.
• Replaceable for infinite service life - no need to replace the entire mount in the event a bearing happens to fail.

Includes new hardware. Grease before installation and with each oil service with high quality Moly grease for maximum service life. Need a grease fitting tool?

Installation is relatively easy - see our instructions here.

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

RTABs play a key role in connecting the wheels to the chassis of the vehicle. Tasked with keeping suspension geometry in check while absorbing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) factory rubber bushings were engineered to provide a balance of comfort and control. As a factory bushing ages, it becomes brittle and begins to harden. When this happens the bushing will actually shrink and allow excess play in the suspension joint. This is typically felt by a sudden jerk forward after the car comes to a stop and is a leading cause of "sloppy" or "loose" suspension feel. By replacing the bushing with a full polyurethane unit or using a bushing insert, this play is eliminated since the suspension joint is being supported by a much stiffer material that will not harden or shrink over time. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of the urethane material translates body forces much more directly. This means steering inputs from the driver are effectively transferred to the wheels and vital road information is transmitted properly from the wheels to the driver.

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Need bushings for a dedicated track car? Powerflex Black Series bushings are the ultimate in track and race bushings. Featuring 95A durometer polyurethane, Black Series bushings are 25% stiffer than street bushings. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

Here at Turner we understand the importance of an upgrade that will get the results you need on the track and still be tolerable on the drive around town. When it comes to control arms on the track, making them as stiff as you can (usually using solid mounts) is the best way to increase your driving precision by eliminating the deflection of rubber. The next best thing to create a balance would be to stiffen up the control arm with polyurethane, giving you the option of a more stock like feel with 80a or closer to the solid feel with 95a durometers.

When it comes to the E36 chassis you also get the options of choosing a stock centered design or going with the E30 inspired offset bushing to increase castor, further taking advantage of improvd handling. These poly bushings will give your control arms a direct connection between your suspension and the body of the car eliminating the slop felt under take-off and braking so you feel more in control of your vehicle. 

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

Rear trailing arm bushings serve the key purpose of keeping rear suspension triangulated and the vehicle moving where it's directed to. Though failure prone, even factory-fresh OEM rubber bushings allow for deflection, causing suspension geometry changes on hard launches, over bumps in the road, and during cornering. This deflection results in clunking in the rear end, a “rear steer” feeling, and uneven tire wear.
Powerflex polyurethane rear trailing arm bushings are firmer than OEM bushings, resulting in a reduction of deflection that causes these suspension angle changes, improving handling over bumps and with a proper alignment, extending tire wear.

Powerflex street bushings are ideal for street driven vehicles and those that see occasional autocross or track time. Need bushings for a dedicated track car? Powerflex Black Series bushings are the ultimate in track and race bushings. Featuring 95A durometer polyurethane, Black Series bushings are 25% stiffer than street bushings. Engineered to perform, Powerflex performance polyurethane bushings offer a supreme level of control, while still providing enough comfort for the street, with advanced polyurethane that reduces NVH that often accompanies lesser bushings. Expect improved steering feel, turn in, more responsive handling and overall improved chassis composure with Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings.

Poweflex is a leading manufacturer of aftermarket suspension bushings. Using state of the art design and manufacturing, all replacement bushings are engineered to out-perform and out-last the ones that came in the car. Each line of bushings is meticulously tested and then re-tested to ensure perfect fitment and enduring quality through the life of the vehicle. A full lifetime warranty backs every one of their products and demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment Powerflex has to their customers. 

Here at Turner we understand the importance of an upgrade that will get the results you need on the track and still be tolerable on the drive around town. When it comes to control arms on the track, making them as stiff as you can (usually using solid mounts) is the best way to increase your driving precision by eliminating the deflection of rubber. The next best thing to create a balance would be to stiffen up the control arm with polyurethane, giving you the option of a more stock like feel with 80a or closer to the solid feel with 95a durometers.

When it comes to the E36 chassis you also get the options of choosing a stock centered design or going with the E30 inspired offset bushing to increase castor, further taking advantage of improvd handling. These poly bushings will give your control arms a direct connection between your suspension and the body of the car eliminating the slop felt under take-off and braking so you feel more in control of your vehicle.

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S50 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

For BMW E30, Z3, E21, and 2002 models, upgrading to adjustable rear trailing arm bushings from manufacturers like Powerflex offers both improved performance and the ability to fine-tune suspension alignment. These bushings are designed to replace the factory rubber bushings, which can degrade over time and lead to imprecise handling.

Key Features and Benefits:

• Adjustable Alignment: These adjustable rear trailing arm bushings allow you to modify rear toe and camber settings. This is crucial for fine-tuning the suspension for different driving styles, especially if the car is used in motorsport applications like track days or autocross, or if the car has been lowered and needs suspension corrections.
• Superior Handling: By significantly reducing the play in the rear trailing arms, these bushings improve the car’s handling dynamics. They keep the rear suspension more rigid during acceleration, braking, and cornering, resulting in sharper, more predictable handling.
• Polyurethane Durability: Unlike the OEM rubber bushings, which wear out over time due to heat, road grime, and chemicals, these adjustable bushings are made of durable polyurethane. This material resists aging, cracking, and wear, ensuring consistent performance over a longer period.
• Reduced Deflection: Adjustable polyurethane bushings limit suspension deflection, allowing the vehicle to maintain optimal suspension geometry under load. This improves cornering performance and reduces body roll.
• Longer Service Life: Polyurethane bushings are known for their longevity compared to rubber bushings, offering a "fit and forget" solution for car owners who want reduced maintenance and better overall reliability.

Installation and Adjustment:

• Direct Fit Replacement: These bushings are designed as a direct replacement for the stock rubber bushings, offering the same fitment while adding adjustability. No major modifications are typically required, making installation easier for those familiar with suspension work.
• Alignment Precision: Once installed, these bushings allow precise adjustments to the suspension alignment, which is ideal for correcting issues that arise from modifications like lowering the vehicle or installing performance suspension components.

Ideal for:

• BMW E30 (3 Series)
• BMW Z3
• BMW E21 (3 Series)
• BMW 2002

These adjustable rear trailing arm bushings are perfect for enthusiasts looking for more control over their vehicle’s alignment and handling, whether for street driving or performance applications. They offer a great balance of increased performance, durability, and adjustability without sacrificing daily driving comfort.