BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW 3 Series E36 (1992-1998)

Clear BMW chassis

Please ensure your correct model is selected

Control arms, and their integrated ball joints, are some of the most crucial components on a BMW suspension. The control arms literally control the wheel and suspension as they go through their range of motions. They do more than just keep the alignment in a constant spec - they are a vital locating component for the suspension itself. A faulty or worn control arm or ball joint is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening problem so make sure they are inspected and replaced at regular intervals.

Most control arms for BMWs consist of an inner and outer ball joint made of plastic, rubber, Delrin, or metal and covered in grease with a rubber boot to seal it from the outside. The ball joint rotates and spins as the control arm goes through its movements and that will wear the ball joint and make it loose. The grease inside the housing can also get used up, evaporate, or become contaminated from moisture and foreign particles. As the ball joint becomes worn it can result in excess movement within the housing. Your steering and handling will become less precise and there is usually a light clunking or clicking sound. In rare and extreme cases the ball joint can separate from the control arm completely, leading to a total loss of suspension and steering control. You should have the ball joint play checked annually and replace them every 3-4 years. Most track organizations will not allow a car if they are older than three years.

Control arms also take abuse from impacts and handling forces. Aluminum control arms will generally bend and prevent an accurate alignment. Steel control arms will crack and fracture and require close inspection annually and replacement every 3-4 years.

We sell OE BMW, OEM, and performance upgrade control arms from proven manufacturers. The control arm is so important to a BMW suspension that we insist on only top quality brands and designs and will never sell a control arm based on price alone. We also have upgrade packages with superior designs and better bushing options and we have bundled these together with valuable package savings.

Sub-Categories

Sort By:

IRP - Individual Racing Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:401372
Part#: IRPCA-ST
In Stock
$ 233.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 233.99 USD
Free Shipping

If you are looking for a wider range of camber adjustability in the rear of you car, the IRP Adjustable rear lower control arm is exactly what you need! Built to be much stronger than stock, these rear control arms feature inner monoball bushings and are built of steel, reducing the weight as well. These are perfect for a lowered car or for a track car that needs a greater level of rear adjustment.

Features:

  • Strong Steel Construction
  • Adjustable
  • Painted Yellow For Corrosion Protection
  • Weight Reduction
  • Monoball Inner Mount

This item fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic M3
1999-2006 E46 BMW 323i 323ci 325i 325ci 325xi 328i 328ci 330i 330ci 330xi M3
2003-2008 E85 BMW Z4 2.5i Z4 3.0i Z4 3.0si Z4 M Roadster M Coupe

Show More Show Less
IRP - Individual Racing Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:39025510
Part#: IRPDTM-30B
Ships on Aug 31, 2026
$ 542.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Upgrade your rear trailing arms with this DTM-style adjustment kit from IRP. This kit replaces the stock bushing side of the rear trailing arm - requires cutting of the rear trailing arm and welding of the new bushings in place. Professional installation is highly recommended.
Show More Show Less
Front Control Arm - Left
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373175
Part#: 31126758513
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 85.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 85.99 USD
Free Shipping
If replacing any part of your front or rear suspension, it is best to either do it in pairs (both left and right sides), or examine parts that are prone to failure. This will provide the most service life out of replacement parts and assure they are all performing properly.
Show More Show Less

Fall Line - Corporate Logo
T#:5580954
Part#: FLM-E46-1BUNI
Ships in 3 Business Days
$ 408.00 USD
Free Shipping
$ 408.00 USD
Free Shipping
Fall Line’s mono ball spherical bearing conversion kit transforms the rear suspension feel of the E46 and E36 M3. The factory rubber bushing is very large, and is prone to substantial deflection under load, as the M3 is put through its paces. Deflection of the bushing can create unwanted geometry change, steering wobble under braking, and even hysteresis of the thrust arm.
Show More Show Less

Ball Joint
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373230
Part#: 31121139131
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 14.26 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Front lower inner ball joint
URO Rear Control Arm Bushing - E36, E46, E83, Z4
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:592410
Part#: 33321092247
In Stock
$ 9.16 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Upper control arm to subframe bushing

M3 Control Arm Bushing Set
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373158
Part#: 31129069035
In Stock
$ 19.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
$ 19.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Replacement bushing. This is an upgrade for non-M cars.
Control Arm Bushing
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:592630
Part#: 33321136311
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 7.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Used in the rear axle housing, connecting to the lower rear control arm. Priced each, used on both the driver & passenger side. A worn rear trailing arm bushing will often times cause the back end of the vehicle to feel sloppy and disconnected.
Show More Show Less

Front Outer Ball Joint - Priced Each
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373233
Part#: 31126758510
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 17.18 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Restore your steering feel, while servicing those old worn out components

URO Suspension Kit - E36
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:593539
Part#: E368PCKIT
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 270.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 270.99 USD
Free Shipping
Comes with everything needed to refresh the front end!
Front Control Arm Bushing Set
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373157
Part#: 31129059288
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 13.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Symptoms of failed control arm bushings commonly include a loose and imprecise feel in the steering, excessive shaking and vibration through the steering that increases with speed and braking, and squeaking, whining or grinding from the front when turning at slow speeds.
Show More Show Less
Front Control Arm Bracket - Right
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:373152
Part#: 31121136532
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 28.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Includes pressed in bushings


URO Front Control Arm Bushing Kit - Offset - BMW E36
2X Entries For Our G87 M2 Sweepstakes! We Price Match - Give Us A Call or Chat!
URO - Corporate Logo
T#:379063
Part#: 31129064875
Ships in 2 Business Days
$ 19.99 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
If your front suspension is making clunking noises or if you are noticing a "floaty" feeling without much play in the steering wheel, there is a good chance your front control arm bushings need to be replaced. Restore handling and comfort with these replacement bushings from URO
Show More Show Less
IRP - Individual Racing Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:401479
Part#: IRPDK36-2
Special Order: No Guaranteed ETA
$ 1,567.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 1,567.99 USD
Free Shipping

Looking to upgrade your front suspension to increase the strength and your steering angle for the track? IRP has you covered with their BMW Lock Kit. This kit includes new control arms that are stronger than stock, are a chromolon tubular system, and have monoball ball joints, new tie rod ends that feature steel monoball ball joints as well, new offset control arm bushings, fully adjustable camber plates, roll center/bump steer correction plates, and all new hardware. This enables this kit to be fully plug and play, giving you a much more adjustable front suspension, and increases the total amount of steering angle up to 70 degrees.

This kit is perfect for those looking to build a drift car and ensure their suspension is ready to take on the challenge.

*This Pro kit offers reduced weight control arms that help this kit shed 2.9 lbs from the standard kit while still remaining just as strong thanks to their chromolon tubular design.*

Kit features:

  • CNC Laser Cut Components
  • Plug & Play - includes all needed hardware
  • Increase to 70 Degree (or more) steering angle (5 degrees more than standard version)
  • Includes Camber Plates
  • Stiffer offset control arm bushings
  • Roll Center and Bump Steer Correction Plates
  • High Strength chromolon tubular control arms with steel monoball ball joints (2cm wider than standard version)
  • Increased length steering tie rods with steel monoball ball joints
  • DriftAllstar- & EEDC-Tested
  • Total weight of all components included: 12.2kg / 26.9lbs (1.3kg / 2.9lbs lighter that standard version)

Fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 BMW All Submodels

Show More Show Less
IRP - Individual Racing Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:401478
Part#: IRPDK36-1
Special Order: No Guaranteed ETA
$ 1,209.99 USD
Free Shipping
$ 1,209.99 USD
Free Shipping

Looking to upgrade your front suspension to increase the strength and your steering angle for the track? IRP has you covered with their BMW Lock Kit. This kit includes new control arms that are stronger than stock and have monoball ball joints, new tie rod ends that feature steel monoball ball joints as well, new offset control arm bushings, fully adjustable camber plates, roll center/bump steer correction plates, and all new hardware. This enables this kit to be fully plug and play, giving you a much more adjustable front suspension, and increases the total amount of steering angle up to 65 degrees.

This kit is perfect for those looking to build a drift car and ensure their suspension is ready to take on the challenge.

Kit features:

  • CNC Laser Cut Components
  • Plug & Play - includes all needed hardware
  • Increase to 65 Degree (or more) steering angle
  • Includes Camber Plates
  • Stiffer offset control arm bushings
  • Roll Center and Bump Steer Correction Plates
  • High strength control arms with steel monoball ball joints
  • Increased length steering tie rods with steel monoball ball joints
  • DriftAllstar- & EEDC-Tested
  • Total weight of all components included: 13.5 kg / 29.8 lbs

Fits the following BMWs:
1992-1999 E36 BMW All Submodels

Show More Show Less