Home
Suspension
Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades

BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW E46 M3 S54 (1999-2005)

Clear BMW chassis

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:

Heritage Series Front Sway Bar Bushing - 21mm

For Non M Models 99-06

T#:54317221

Part#: PFF5-4602-21H

Ships in 1 Business Day

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Eliminate sway bar deflection on your BMW. These 21.5mm Heritage polyurethane bushings maximize front bar transition response while maintaining a discrete, factory-original dark grey undercarriage layout.

Show More Show Less

Performance Polyurethane front Control Arm Bushings - E46

T#:54388519

Part#: PFF5-5601-60X2

Ships in 1 Business Day

$ 211.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 211.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Secure your front suspension geometry. This hybrid alloy and polyurethane bushing increases wishbone rigidity by 128%, ensuring a rock-solid tire contact patch and track-validated front-axle bite.

Front Control Arm Bushings (FCAB) - Urethane Street - E46 M3 (Pair) ...

10X Entries Into Our F80 M3 Sweepstakes

T#:2105

Part#: TMS-FCAB-E46M3

Ships in 8 Business Days

Sale - Save 3% $ 364.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
06-13-2026

$ 354.04 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

Sale - Save 3%

$ 364.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
06-13-2026

$ 354.04 USD

Add to Wish List

Factory bushings are more than adequate for street driving on the E46 M3. However, once the miles start to pile up, the bushings are meant to be replaced. Common side effects of worn factory FCABs include, but are not limited to the following:

Steering wheel shutter when brakes are applied
Wheel (and steering wheel) shimmy
Mysterious and irregular tire wear
"Overboosted" steering feel (very light steering)

Replacing with new factory bushings will return the factory feel. These urethane core bushings, however, offer something MORE. These bushings are designed to deliver performance that surpasses the stock E46 M3 bushing, while still allowing them to be used in everyday driving scenarios on public roads.

With the numerous delrin/urethane/hybrid replacement bushings in the market, we wanted to offer bushings that were not only effective, but simple. No clips, no washers, no multiple sleeves, and no "race parts in street cars". They have an aluminum outer sleeve with a replaceable, compliant urethane core that is serviceable and rebuildable. These urethane inserts prevent unwanted control arm deflection, while allowing noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) isolation -- a must on any bushing being used on a street driven car. And because of their compliance they remain very comfortable for daily use. But because they are a heavier-duty design than stock, these eliminate steering shimmy and wander, especially with the addition of big brake upgrades. They maintain BMW's original suspension geometry, and give your M3 a directly "connected" feeling with the front end of the vehicle. Perhaps best of all, these bushings are easy to install and are designed for longevity. Professional installation on suspension components is always recommended.

Installation Instructions

This item fits the following BMWs:
2001-2006 E46 BMW M3

Show More Show Less

Heritage Series Front Sway Bar Bushing 26 Mm - E46

T#:54352777

Part#: PFF5-4602-26H

Ships in 1 Business Day

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Eliminate front anti-roll bar slop on your E46 M3. These 26mm Heritage polyurethane bushings maximize bar transition response while maintaining a discrete, factory-original dark grey appearance.

Heritage Series Front Sway Bar Bushing 27 Mm - E46

T#:54352780

Part#: PFF5-4602-27H

Ships in 1 Business Day

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 70.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Eliminate front sway bar deflection on your E46 or Z4M. These 27mm Heritage polyurethane bushings maximize roll rate efficiency while maintaining a discrete, factory-original dark grey finish.

Rogue Engineering Adjustable Rear Control Arms

T#:34885415

Part#: RE.ARCA.2.RE

Ships in 8 Business Days

$ 395.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 395.00 USD

Add to Wish List

Whiteline Lower Inner Rear Front Control Arm Bushing - E9x, E46, Z4 ...

T#:54388459

Part#: W52605

Ships in 3 Business Days

$ 66.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
08-13-2026

$ 61.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Qty

$ 61.99 USD

Add to Wish List

Deflection at the front lower control arm rear pivot drastically alters dynamic toe and caster alignment under high-load braking and cornering

Rear Camber Arm - E36, E46, Z4 - Group N (Reinforced)

T#:338369

Part#: 33327749778

Ships on Oct 28, 2026

Starting at $ 198.94 USD

Add to Wish List

Starting at $ 198.94 USD

Add to Wish List

Designed and built in-house at BMW Motorsport, these are stock rear camber arms from the E36 M3 that have been strengthened by welding a reinforment in between the wishbones. Stiffer than the stock units and still adjustable for camber. This arm is legal in many racing classes where an aftermarket arm is not permitted. Sold individually, two required per car.

For maximum adjustment solid aluminum camber arms, you may also want to check out our TMS E36/E46 Adjustable Rear Camber Arms .

This arm does not include a bushing, but you may choose add a bushing using the drop down below. For an additional charge, you can get the bushing pre-pressed into the arm, so it is ready to install on the car (no added shop time or hydraulic press required).

Sold Individually.

Show More Show Less

1
2

Select Vehicle

Purpose

Category

Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades

Brand

View All Brands

Price

Special Offers

Shipping