BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW 3 Series E46 (1999-2005)

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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.

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ECS Tuning Performance Adjustable Rear Control Arm Set - E36 E46 Z4 E...
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Earn 5% back in Turner Rewards on orders placed 10/28-10/31. Redeem 11/27-12/1. Terms & conditions apply
ECS - Corporate Logo
T#:376801
Part#: 002608ECS01
In Stock
Sale - Save 25% $ 458.99

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

$ 344.24 USD
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Sale - Save 25%
$ 458.99

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

$ 344.24 USD
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Stock rear lower control arms offer very little adjustment for alignment, especially in lowered vehicles, due to their use of an eccentric bolt. These aftermarket performance control arms from ECS Tuning are designed for maximum adjustability, allowing you to maximize handling and minimize tire wear.

To ensure maximum reliability, ECS Tuning's control arms are constructed from strong, lightweight 6061-T6 aluminum and feature a 303 stainless steel center turnbuckle that offers over 8 degrees of fast and precise camber adjustment. The inner bushing is a stock style serviceable OEM bushing for long life and inexpensive maintenance.

Features:

Durable construction suitable for the daily driver and track car alike
8+ degrees adjustment range for dialing in any suspension and wheel/tire setup
Center located adjuster for maximum clearance during adjustment
OEM-style bushing for long life and inexpensive service
Black anodized 6061-T6 aluminum with 303 stainless steel turnbuckle
Includes new hardware
*With the exception of the stance community, most enthusiasts will need no more than a few degrees of adjustment range. Total adjustment often is dependent on wheel/tire clearances.

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ECS Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Limiter Set
10X Entries Into Our F80 M3 Sweepstakes
ECS - Corporate Logo
T#:362987
Part#: 003301ECS01AKT
In Stock
Sale - Save 5% $ 88.99

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

$ 84.54 USD
Free Shipping
Sale - Save 5%
$ 88.99

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

$ 84.54 USD
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The E36/E46 rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs) wear out faster than any other bushing on the car. Worn RTAB will cause excessive toe alignment change and give a 'loose' or 'floaty' feeling in the rear handling. One of the reasons for this is that they over-extend during motion, stretching and twisting the rubber in all directions. These shims sit on either side of the bushing and limit the amount of extension from the bushing. Not only will you get more life from your RTAB but these will help stiffen the bushing during cornering. But during normal driving you will still have all of the comfort of the stock rubber bushings. These part about these bushings is how easy they are to install - simply slide them in place during your bushing install. They can be added to pre-installed bushings too by dropping the trailing arm and removing the cage around the bushing.

Works with stock rubber bushings only (not urethane or Delrin).

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Front Control Arm Housing Set - E46 M3
10X Entries Into Our F80 M3 Sweepstakes
Bremmen Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:394278
Part#: 3112222962XKT
Ships in 6 Business Days
Sale - Save 10% $ 93.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-03-2026

$ 84.44 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Sale - Save 10%
$ 93.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-03-2026

$ 84.44 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up

There's finally an option to buy housings separate from the bushings, this way you don't have to live with the stress placed on the stock housings when pressing the old bushing out. The biggest benefit come in when there isn't already a pre-pressed in option for poly and spherical upgrades, this leaves the only option of pressing the old bushings out. Through out in-house testing when designing our poly and spherical upgrades we noticed that pressing the bushing out caused stress in some cases creating hairline cracks in the housing leaving it vulnerable to failure.

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

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Enthusiast Bundles - Corporate Logo
T#:25042497
Part#: 029308ECS01EBKT
Ships in 10 Business Days
Sale - Save 24% $ 1,624.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-05-2026

$ 1,234.70 USD
Sale - Save 24%
$ 1,624.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-05-2026

$ 1,234.70 USD

Elevate your E46 M3 driving experience with the ECS Tuning Performance Coilover System. Crafted with daily drivers in mind, these coilovers seamlessly blend enhanced performance, aggressive aesthetics, and comfort, offering a smooth ride comparable to stock setups. Unleash the full potential of your BMW's suspension with top-tier coilovers at a fraction of the cost.

Key Features:

  • Performance Coilover System:
    • Sport-tuned, height, damping, and body adjustable suspension
    • High-quality materials and coatings for optimal performance
    • Perfect ride height for a dynamic appearance
    • 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 with a lower center of gravity
  • Adjustable front bodies maintain ride height and correct spring pre-load
  • Adjustable front and rear bodies ensure the shock operates in the correct valving range, regardless of ride height

Product Design:

  • Durable gloss black powder-coated strut and shock bodies
  • Clear zinc-coated threaded portions for optimum corrosion protection
  • Reflex Silver Metallic powder-coated coil springs for durability
  • Red anodized, billet aluminum lower spring seats with locking collars for on-the-car adjustability
  • Integrated bump stops for added protection

Upgrade further with the Turner Motorsport Control Arm Monoball Upgrade with housings (FCAB) for unparalleled handling and braking performance.

Key Features:

  • Bearing:
    • Extremely robust, greaseable, double lip sealed spherical bearing (Rated for 20,000lbf Dynamic, 90,000lbf Static)
  • Housing:
    • 6061-T6, anodized housing with needle grease zerk for easy maintenance
    • In-house designed knurled OD for a perfect fit across housing diameters
  • Bearing Insert Arm Adapter:
    • Precision CNC machined Delrin, ensuring a tight fit between the bearing and the control arm
  • Performance:
    • Instant, crisp steering and braking response
    • Easy maintenance with long-lasting performance
    • Improved road feel without undesirable NVH
    • Grease before installation and with each oil service using high-quality Moly grease for maximum service life. Grease fitting tool - ES#3410138 or complete kit - ES#3411244.

Transform your E46 M3 into a track-ready machine while maintaining street-ability for the spirited enthusiast.

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Bremmen Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:640138
Part#: 33321092247
Ships on Nov 25, 2026
Sale - Save 19% $ 7.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
06-25-2026

$ 6.49 USD
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Sale - Save 19%
$ 7.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
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$ 6.49 USD
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This is the replacement rear upper control arm inner bushing. (sold individually) Bushings tend 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.
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Front Control Arm Bushing Set
10X Entries Into Our F80 M3 Sweepstakes
Bremmen Parts - Corporate Logo
T#:45005581
Part#: 31126757623
Special Order: No Guaranteed ETA
Sale - Save 10% $ 93.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-03-2026

$ 84.45 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Sale - Save 10%
$ 93.99

This product was last offered at the strikethrough price on
05-03-2026

$ 84.45 USD
Free Shipping on orders $49 and up
Includes brackets and hardware