BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades for BMW 4 Series F33 (2014+)

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.

Since BMW recommends the control arms be replaced for every other bushing change, we prefer to sell these as a pre-assembled set, and are available separately here if you would prefer that option.

This item is an upgrade to the following rear wheel drive BMWs: 
2014+ F22 BMW 228i 230i M235i M240i - Coupe
2014+ F23 BMW 228i 230i M235i M240i - Convertible
2012+ F30 BMW 320i 328i 328d 335i 340i - Sedan 
2014+ F32 BMW 428i 435i 440i - Coupe 
2014+ F33 BMW 428i 435i 440i - Convertible 
2014+ F36 BMW 428i 435i 440i - Gran Coupe

The SPL BMW F2X/F3X Front Lower Control Arms (FLCA) provide roll center, camber, and track width adjustment for the rear wheel drive (RWD) F2X/F3X BMWs while eliminating bushing deflection resulting in sharpened steering response and driving precision.

Negative Camber Benefits

The ability to run more negative camber greatly improves the peak lateral grip available. Adding negative camber results in the tire having an optimal contact patch as the body rolls due to cornering forces. This is especially important with better tires and a must-have for anyone looking to prevent excessive outer shoulder wear (and heating) on their tires due to a lack of camber.

Wider Front Track Width Benefits

Further handling improvements can be had by increasing the front track width from the factory 60.5" (F3X) or 59.9" (F2X) to be closer to the M3's 62.2". If you applied the M3's width to the M340i it would reduce the outer front tire loading by roughly 20 lbs and apply it to the inner front tire. The result would be greater peak grip (~0.04G), improved stability, and faster lap times.

Roll Center Correction Benefits

Lowering the F2X/F3X results in a greater distance between the front roll center and the center of gravity. This acts like a longer lever, creating more body roll, bumpsteer, and requiring additional static camber angle to maintain the same handling. The SPL front lower control arms allow the roll center to be corrected for a wide range of ride heights to improve handling and stability.

The lower control arms come with a ride height sensor bracket to maintain the factory ride height sensor location, regardless of length of the arm to keep those finicky BMW chassis electronics happy.

Benefits

Adjustable Camber, Roll Center, and Track Width

Eliminates Bushing Deflection

Improved Tire Life with Ideal Camber Settings

Lightweight, High-Strength Construction

Stackable 304SS Roll Center Spacers in 1/8" and 1/4" Sizes

US Made, PTFE Lined FK Rod Ends 

Materials

6061-T6 aluminum black anodized arm, clamps, and spacers

4130 CrMo electroless nickel-plated double adjuster

Ti6Al4V titanium socket head cap screws

304 stainless steel roll center and knuckle spacers

5/8" 4140 CrMo stud

FK PTFE-lined spherical bearings (F1 spec, self-cleaning)

Suitable for all uses, from daily driver to race car.

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. 

Unveiling the BMW Coilover Line, meticulously crafted for the daily driver's needs. Engineered to elevate performance, aesthetics, and comfort, these coilovers offer a perfect blend of firmness and compliance. With 32 levels of damping and height adjustments tailored to each car, they deliver an aggressive look and significantly enhanced handling.

Key Features:

• ECS Tuning Performance Coilover System:
  • Sport-tuned, height, damping, and body adjustable suspension
  • 32 levels of rebound damping adjustment
  • Adjustable front sway bar end links
  • Integrated camber plates for +/-1.5 degrees of adjustment
  • Lowering adjustment of 1.5" - 4"
  • Heat-treated, progressive rate coil springs (8k Front, 10K Rear)
  • Zinc-coated threaded portions for corrosion protection
  • Powder-coated Reflex Silver Metallic finish on coil springs
  • Red anodized, billet aluminum spring seats with locking collars
  • Anodized adjustable sway bar end links with heavy-duty bushings
  • Zinc-coated flanged nuts for shock & strut shaft pins
  • Rear shock adjuster housings black E-coated for durability
  • Integrated bump stops and dust boots

Turner Performance Adjustable Rear Toe Links:

Enhance stability and response with Turner's Performance Rear Toe Links. These links eliminate bushing deflection, providing increased rear toe adjustment crucial for lowered cars or performance alignments. With gun-drilled 2024 Aluminum center links, rotating clamp design, and low-friction Teflon-lined FK Heim joints, this pair ensures superior strength, durability, and ease of adjustment. A must-have for optimal grip on the track and extended tire life on the street.

The SPL BMW F2X/F3X Front Lower Control Arms (FLCA) provide roll center, camber, and track width adjustment for the xDrive-equipped F2X/F3X BMWs while eliminating bushing deflection resulting in sharpened steering response and driving precision.

The ability to run more negative camber greatly improves the peak lateral grip available. Adding negative camber results in the tire having an optimal contact patch as the body rolls due to cornering forces. This is especially important with better tires and a must-have for anyone looking to prevent excessive outer shoulder wear (and heating) on their tires due to a lack of camber.

The lower control arms come with a ride height sensor bracket to maintain the factory ride height sensor location, regardless of length of the arm to keep those finicky BMW chassis electronics happy.

Benefits

Adjustable Camber, Roll Center, and Track Width

Eliminates Bushing Deflection

Improved Tire Life with Ideal Camber Settings

Lightweight, High-Strength Construction

Stackable 304SS Roll Center Spacers in 1/8" and 1/4" Sizes

US Made, PTFE Lined FK Rod Ends 

Materials

6061-T6 aluminum black anodized arm, clamps, and spacers

4130 CrMo electroless nickel-plated double adjuster

Ti6Al4V titanium socket head cap screws

304 stainless steel roll center and knuckle spacers

5/8" 4140 CrMo stud

FK PTFE-lined spherical bearings (F1 spec, self-cleaning)

Suitable for all uses, from daily driver to race car.

For someone looking for superior performance and longevity these sealed monoball bushings are the best upper thrust bearing you can buy for an F22 2-series or F3X 3/4-series. The advantage of a monoball bearing is that it will not deflect under load. All of the rubber bushings move in all sorts of directions and that changes your alignment, especially when used with big brake kits or when driven hard. The condition worsens as the bushing wears out. The Dinan monoball sits in a CNC machined aluminum housing which has zero deflection. The monoball allows complete freedom of movement but only at the desired angles. What you get is superior steering precision, better handling from more consistent alignment, and almost infinite bushing life. And thanks to the inner liner and sealed rubber boots there's none of the extra noise or reduced service life of fully solid race bushings. 

We strongly advise using these with new control arms. BMW recommends that the bushings be replaced only once per set of control arms. So if your thrust arm bushings have been replaced already then we do not recommend re-using the arms. The other reason is that the aluminum arms stretch over time which will make the bushings loose inside the arm. Other manufacturers recommend filling the stretched arms with paste but replacing the control arm is the better solution.

For over 35 years, Dinan has been America's premier tuning company, pioneering advancements in BMW modification while retaining a focus on balanced performance that preserves the original character and driving feel that a BMW offers. When you install a Dinan part on your car, know that it's not only carefully developed and tested, but that Dinan stands behind it with a four year, 50,000-mile warranty. Dinan believes so fully in their “total package” approach that once your car has been fitted with enough of their parts, they celebrate your conversion from stock to Dinan with an exclusive trunk badge, displayed proudly by BMW enthusiasts everywhere.

This item fits the following BMWs:
2014+ F22 F23 BMW 228i M235i
2012+ F30 BMW 320i 328i 335i - Sedan
2012+ F32 BMW 428i 435i - Coupe
2013+ F33 BMW 428i 435i - Convertible
2012+ F34 BMW 328i 335i - Gran Turismo
2012+ F36 BMW 428i 435i - GranCoupe

Introducing the all-new BMW Coilover line, meticulously crafted with daily drivers in mind. This line focuses on enhancing suspension performance and aesthetics without compromising comfort. Offering a smooth, stock-like feel, these coilovers provide an aggressive look and significantly improved handling at an unbeatable price.

Key Features:

• ECS Tuning Performance Coilover System:
  • Sport-tuned, height, damping, and body adjustable suspension
  • 32 levels of rebound damping adjustment
  • Optimized progressive rate coil springs with adjustable damping monotube shocks/struts
  • Lower ride height for improved handling with reduced body roll
  • Adjustable front bodies for personalized ride height and correct spring pre-load
  • Durable gloss black powder-coated strut and shock bodies
  • Clear zinc-coated threaded portions for corrosion protection
  • Powder-coated Reflex Silver Metallic finish on coil springs
  • Red anodized, billet aluminum lower spring seats with locking collars
  • Integrated bump stops for added durability

Turner Motorsport Upgraded Thrust Arm With Pre-installed Monoball Bushings:

Addressing the common issues of weak front thrust arm bushings in BMWs, this upgrade ensures optimal handling, braking performance, and an enhanced driving experience.

Features:

• Ball Joint / Monoball:
  • OEM BMW sealed, greased ball joint for exceptional durability
• Housing:
  • 6061-T6 anodized housing for excellent corrosion resistance
  • Proprietary Turner designed knurled OD for a perfect fit among different thrust arm bore diameters
• Bearing Inserts:
  • CNC machined 304ss for a precision fit between the ball joint and the subframe
• Performance:
  • Nearly instantaneous, crisp steering and braking response
  • Maintenance-free, long-lasting performance
  • Improved road feel without undesirable NVH

Upgrade your driving experience with these essential enhancements suitable for both street and track enthusiasts.