Front Control Arm

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

BMW's are notorious for their failure-prone control arm bushings. The pliable rubber bushings, present even in M performance models, allow substantial movement of the front wheels to enhance everyday driving comfort. However, they also permit significant alignment changes, leading to a disconnected and numb road feel that detracts from a confidence-inspiring driving encounter. Over time, the fluid-filled rubber bushings succumb to fatigue and cracking due to continual deflection and ozone degradation, ultimately resulting in the leakage of damping fluid and 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 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).

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.

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 (T599476) if you would prefer that option.

Watch to learn more about Turner Monoball Bushings

Design:

OEM 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
Turner designed knurled OD to provide the perfect fit for the wide range of thrust arm bore
CNC machined 304ss bearing inserts, providing a precision fit between the ball joint and the subframe
Performance Advantages:

Immediate, precise steering and breaking feedback
Long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance requirements
Enhanced road feedback minus any unnecessary noise, vibration, harshness