Front Control Arms for BMW 5 Series E39 (1996-2003)

BMW’s are known to have failure prone front thrust arm bushings.  The flexible rubber bushings, even those found in M performance models, allow significant movement of the front wheels to maximize daily driving comfort, but also allow considerable alignment change.  This results in a disconnected and numb road feel, standing between you and a confidence inspiring driving experience.  Eventually the fluid filled rubber bushings fatigue and crack due to continual deflection and ozone degradation, and eventually the damping fluid leaks out resulting in complete failure. 

For the enthusiast looking for superior performance and longevity with a crisp, confidence-inspiring driving experience, our sealed ball joint monoballs are the best solution available!  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 E31, E32, E34, E38, E39, E53, E60, E63, E64, and E83 owners similar levels of handling precision and control for the track and street. 

The bearing housing is precision CNC machined from 6061-T6 anodized aluminum and features a knurled OD to ensure a perfect press fit, and utilize a sealed OEM BMW ball joint for exceptional quality and durability, making them completely at home on both the street and track with no compromise.  We have done extensive street, autocross, and track testing to ensure the ball joint used in this bushing design excels in each setting.  The advantage of a sealed ball joint is that it eliminates all unwanted deflection while still allowing complete bind-free movement throughout suspension travel, resulting in exceptional control of wheel alignment.  What you get is superior steering precision, turn-in response, direct braking feedback, and better handling.

In short, if you're seeking the ultimate in precise, predictable handling and control, with crisp braking response and a long service life that’s equally at home on the street or track - look no further. We have you covered.

Features:

Bearing housing

• Precision CNC machined from 6061-T6 blue anodized aluminum
• Knurled OD to provide the perfect fit for the wide range of thrust arm bore diameters among brands.
• CNC machined 304ss ball joint sleeve inserts, providing a precision fit between the ball joint and the subframe. 

Bearing

• OEM BMW sealed and greased ball joint for exceptional durability and service life.

Performance

• Nearly instantaneous, crisp steering and braking response.
• Maintenance free, long lasting performance. 
• Improved road feel without undesirable NVH.

This item is an upgrade to the following BMWs: 
2004-2010 E83 X3 X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i
2000-2006 E53 X5 X5 3.0I, X5 4.4i, X5 4.6is, X5 4.8is
1997-2003 E39 5 series 540i, 540iT (sedans and touring wagon) 
2000-2003 E39 M5 sedan 
1995-2001 E38 7 series 740i, 740iL 
1995-2001 E38 7 series 750i, 750iL 

BMW’s are known to have failure prone front thrust arm bushings.  The flexible rubber bushings, even those found in M performance models, allow significant movement of the front wheels to maximize daily driving comfort, but also allow considerable alignment change.  This results in a disconnected and numb road feel, standing between you and a confidence inspiring driving experience. Eventually the fluid filled rubber bushings fatigue and crack due to continual deflection and ozone degradation, and eventually the damping fluid leaks out resulting in complete failure.

For the enthusiast looking for superior performance and longevity with a crisp, confidence-inspiring driving experience, our sealed ball joint monoballs are the best solution available!  Our experience with spherical front control arm ball joints goes back to those we designed and used in our IMSA E90 328i and E92 M3 race cars (GS class Champions in 2011). We wanted to offer as many BMW owners possible a similar level of handling, precision, and control for the track and street.

Utilizing a sealed OEM BMW ball joint for exceptional quality and durability, making them completely at home on both the street and track with no compromise.  We have done extensive street, autocross, and track testing to ensure the ball joint used in this bushing design excels in each setting. The advantage of a sealed ball joint is that it eliminates all unwanted deflection while still allowing complete bind-free movement throughout suspension travel, resulting in exceptional control of wheel alignment.  What you get is superior steering precision, turn-in response, direct braking feedback, and better handling.

In short, if you're seeking the ultimate in precise, predictable handling and control, with crisp braking response and a long service life that’s equally at home on the street or track - look no further. We have you covered.

We also offer these control arms with the monoball bearings pre-installed for your convenience. Since BMW recommends the control arms be replaced for every other bushing change, we prefer to sell these as a pre-assembled set. The bushings are also available separately if you wish to source your own control arms.

Control Arm Bearing

• CNC machined corrosion resistant 304 Stainless steel shell, bolt sleeves, & snap rings
• Sealed spherical ball joint for long service life & maintained OE fitment
• Suspension pre-load is no longer required when torquing the control arm hardware

Thrust Arm Bearing:

• OEM BMW sealed, greased ball joint for exceptional durability and service life, even in the most severe operating conditions
• 6061-T6 anodized housing for excellent corrosion resistance
• Proprietary Turner designed knurled OD to provide the perfect fit for the wide range of thrust arm bore diameters among brands
• CNC machined 304ss, providing a precision fit between the ball joint and the subframe

Benefits of Both:​

• Nearly instantaneous, crisp steering and braking response.
• Maintenance free, long lasting performance.
• Improved road feel without undesirable NVH.

This item is an upgrade to the following BMWs: 
2004-2010 E83 X3 X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i
2000-2006 E53 X5 X5 3.0I, X5 4.4i, X5 4.6is, X5 4.8is
1997-2003 E39 5 series 540i, 540iT (sedans and touring wagon) 
2000-2003 E39 M5 sedan 
1995-2001 E38 7 series 740i, 740iL 
1995-2001 E38 7 series 750i, 750iL

These are the original front upper control arm bushings for the E39 540i/M5 and E38 740i/iL and 750iL. The OEM bushings from Lemforder are filled with heavy fluid to help dampen vibrations and rough road surfaces that can make their way up through the chassis and into the steering. As the bushing wears, is compressed and expanded, and subjected to harsh environments the fluid can leak out or evaporate which will leave the bushing without much strength. This can lead to a shimmy in the steering wheel and vibrations in the braking and handling that are often mis-diagnosed as warped brake rotors on the E39 and E38. Replacing these bushings with new parts will restore the precision and tightness to your steering and suspension.

The BMW part numbers for these arms are 31 12 1 092 609 and 31 12 1 092 610.

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!

This item fits the following BMWs:
1997-2003 E39 BMW 540i M5
1995-2001 E38 BMW 740i 740il 750il

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. 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.