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

One common weak point in the E36 3-series model range is in the mounting and ball joints of the suspension. The front suspension ball joints in particular are prone to wearing out quite quickly thanks to a soft material in the ball joint itself, leaving you in a potentially dangerous situation. At best, worn ball joints and bushings will give you poor steering feedback and clunking noises. However, loose or worn ball joints will have excessive play which will drastically reduce the effectiveness of the steering and suspension. In extreme cases, the ball joint has been known to pop free of the control arm, resulting in total steering loss.

Meyle has addressed this problem with a higher-grade metal in their HD ball joints, similar to those used on the E36 M3. The metal will not wear or fatigue nearly as fast as the standard ball joints. The lifespan is greatly extended. A side benefit of the stiffer joint is better steering response. The metal will not flex or deflect like plastic, rubber, or any other material. The lack of play will mean sharper steering, restoring much of the car's precision and fun-to-drive character. Meyle is a German brand in business since 1958 and all of their products are TUV approved and meet or exceed ISO standards.

We supply the Meyle HD control arms as a set with new M3 rubber control arm bushings. You can choose bushings with either a centered hole (same as stock original) or with an offset hole (adds caster and camber). The stock rubber bushings (manufactured by Boge) will be perfect for most people but if you're looking for an upgrade, the offset bushings will give the car quicker steering response. The solid rubber mounts last longer and give better feedback than the original web design.

All Meyle HD parts come with a 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Features:

• 4 Year Warranty

• All metal ball joints are more reliable and longer lasting than stock

• Bushings are solid rubber rather than fluid filled, providing longevity and handling feel improvements

Package Options:
Bushings without control arm brackets.
Bushings pre-installed into new control arm brackets

Applications:
1992-1999 E36 318i, 318is, 323i, 323is, 325i, 325is, 328i, 328is, including all sedan, coupe, and convertible models.
1995-1999 E36 318ti Compact and hatchback models
1996-2001 Z3 1.9, 2.3, 2.5, 2.8, 3.0

Upgrade your E36's suspension with the ECS Tuning Performance Coilover System and get a upgraded Monoball FCAB! This sport-tuned system offers adjustable height, damping, and body settings for a customized driving experience. Crafted with high-quality materials, it replaces worn suspensions, providing substantial performance benefits and achieving that perfect ride height.

• Spring Rates: Front 12kg/mm, Rear 10kg/mm
• Performance Features:
  • 32 levels of rebound damping adjustment
  • Monotube shocks/struts with progressive rate coil springs for road-sticking grip
  • Lowered ride height improves handling performance
• Product Design:
  • Durable gloss black powder coat on strut and shock bodies
  • Clear zinc-coated threaded portions for corrosion protection
  • Reflex Silver Metallic finish on powder-coated coil springs
  • Red anodized billet aluminum lower spring seats with locking collars
  • Integrated bump stops

Revitalize your E30/E36 with the FCAB and pre-installed monoball upgrade. This front control arm bushing replacement offers precise, predictable handling without the harshness of solid bushings. Greaseable and serviceable, it enhances performance without sacrificing daily driving comfort.

• Stock vs. Upgrade:
  • Stock rubber bushings designed for comfort, not optimal performance
  • Poly and delrin bushings compromise handling and wear prematurely
• Turner Front Control Arm Spherical Bearings:
  • Greaseable spherical bearing for improved precision and durability
  • 6061-T6 anodized housing with needle grease zerk for easy maintenance
  • Precision CNC machined Delrin arm adapter for a tight fit
• Performance Benefits:
  • Instant, crisp steering and braking response
  • Easy maintenance with long-lasting performance
  • Improved road feel without undesirable NVH

Ensure optimal performance with Turner's Front Control Arm Spherical Bearings – a must-have for track enthusiasts and a great upgrade for spirited driving on the streets.

Bushings tends to wear over time and split or even break free from the internal sleeve, causing excessive movement and sloppy control feel. OEM Lemförder bushings are the perfect option to restore suspension back to day 1 quality.

OEM Lemförder is an engineering company that focuses on high-quality, precision manufacturing of critical suspension and steering components. Providing exceptionally high quality parts directly to BMW, as well as 50+ other big name automotive companies, such as Mercedes and Audi, their history of reliability and variety of offered parts makes them one of the biggest names for a go-to OEM parts provider. Lemförder parts place an important emphasis on design, production, and assembly, ensuring maximum reliability. They even coat all parts possible with corrosion protection for extended longevity.

As a leading source of high performance BMW parts and accessories since 1993, we at Turner Motorsport are honored to be the go-to supplier for tens of thousands of enthusiasts the world over. With over two decades of parts, service, and racing experience under our belt, we provide only quality performance and replacement parts.  All of our performance parts are those we would (and do!) install and run on our own cars, as well as replacement parts that are Genuine BMW or from OEM manufacturers. We only offer parts we know you can trust to perform!

Dial in your BMW’s handling like never before with this exclusive Doorbuster offer! Turner Motorsport’s Monoball Rear Trailing Arm Bushings (RTAB) deliver precision alignment, improved rear articulation, and race-inspired performance for the street or track. With a newly available sealed design, these bushings combine ultimate performance with long-lasting durability—making them the perfect upgrade for any BMW enthusiast.

Turner Monoball Rear Trailing Arm Bushings (RTAB)

Turner’s redesigned RTABs now feature a sealed bearing, protecting against contaminants like salt, grit, and road debris while eliminating the need for any lubrication or maintenance—ever. Drawing on over two decades of racetrack expertise, Turner brings precision, durability, and performance straight to your BMW.

Key Benefits:

Eliminates unwanted deflection, maintaining alignment and reducing wheel hop

Allows full trailing arm articulation with low-friction movement

Eliminates binding issues common in rubber or poly bushings

Street-ready: uses OE Lemforder sealed, greased ball joints for long life without increasing NVH

Design Features:

Housing: CNC billet 6061-T6 aluminum, type II anodized for corrosion resistance and strength

Bearing: OE Mercedes/Lemforder 2043520027 sealed ball joint

Bearing Inserts: CNC machined 303 stainless steel

Rebuildable: Rebuild Kit ES2695379 (x2) available

Turner Monoball Rear Upper Control Arm Inner Bushings – Race

For the ultimate in performance, Turner also offers monoball rear upper control arm bushings designed exclusively for track use. These race-grade bushings prevent side loading, allowing full control arm movement and unparalleled precision. While optimized for the track, daring enthusiasts willing to tolerate increased noise, vibration, and harshness may also consider them for street use.

Turner Motorsport continues to deliver high-quality BMW performance parts that combine durability, precision, and race-bred technology—allowing your BMW to perform at its full potential.