BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades

Here at Turner we understand the importance of an upgrade that will get the results you need on the track and still be tolerable on the drive around town. When it comes to control arms on the track, making them as stiff as you can (usually using solid mounts) is the best way to increase your driving precision by eliminating the deflection of rubber. The next best thing to create a balance would be to stiffen up the control arm with polyurethane, giving you the option of a more stock like feel with 80a or closer to the solid feel with 95a durometers.

When it comes to the E36 chassis you also get the options of choosing a stock centered design or going with the E30 inspired offset bushing to increase castor, further taking advantage of improvd handling. These poly bushings will give your control arms a direct connection between your suspension and the body of the car eliminating the slop felt under take-off and braking so you feel more in control of your vehicle. 

This item fits the following BMWs that use a centered-style bushing: 

1984-1991 E30 BMW 318i, 318is, 325, 325e, 325es, 325i, 325is 
1992-1999 E36 BMW 318i 318is 318ti 318ic 323is 323ic 325i 325is 325ic 328i 328is 328ic
1996-1999 E36 BMW M3 S52
1997-2002 Z3 BMW Z3 1.9 Z3 2.3 Z3 2.5i Z3 2.8 Z3 3.0i MZ3 M Coupe M Roadster 

The front control arm bushings is the Achilles heel on the E39 models. The original factory bushings are fluid filled and rely on the fluid to absorb vibration and resist deflection. When the fluid is gone the rubber left over cannot match the original bushing's strength. The left over rubber is not stiff enough to resist the movements from the suspension. The result is a lot of vibration and reduced feedback and response from the steering. 

Meyle has addressed this issue with bushings that are not fluid-filled. The bushing is made of solid rubber that will last longer than the original bushing and is a bit stiffer than new originals for better response and feel. The lack of play from the solid rubber design will mean sharper steering, restoring much of the car's precision and 'connected' feel. 

This control arm comes with the Meyle HD bushings already pressed in. This makes for an easy swap out-swap in install. These arms replace the existing stock upper control arms - otherwise known as a tension strut or strut support arm. It's the arm with the twist. 

Meyle is a German brand in business since 1958 and all of their products are TUV approved and meet or exceed ISO standards. All Meyle HD parts come with a 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty. 

Features:

• 4 Year Warranty

• All metal ball joints are more reliable and longer lasting than stock

• Bushings are solid rubber rather than fluid filled, providing longevity and handling feel improvements

This item fits the following BMWs:
1997-2003 E39 5 Series BMW 540i, 540i Wagon, M5

Eliminate the most common sources of suspension slop with our all new Turner Suspension Refresh Kits that feature only OEM parts! We do not include any "cheap parts" in our refresh kits to ensure long-lasting reliability and noise-free suspension.

This Level 1 kit replaces:

Rear Sway Bar End Links
Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
Rear Strut Mounts
New Hardware

The front control arm bushings is the Achilles heel on the E39 models. The original factory bushings are fluid filled and rely on the fluid to absorb vibration and resist deflection. When the fluid is gone the rubber left over cannot match the original bushing's strength. The left over rubber is not stiff enough to resist the movements from the suspension. The result is a lot of vibration and reduced feedback and response from the steering. 

Meyle has addressed this issue with bushings that are not fluid-filled. The bushing is made of solid rubber that will last longer than the original bushing and is a bit stiffer than new originals for better response and feel. The lack of play from the solid rubber design will mean sharper steering, restoring much of the car's precision and 'connected' feel. 

This control arm comes with the Meyle HD bushings already pressed in. This makes for an easy swap out-swap in install. These arms replace the existing stock upper control arms - otherwise known as a tension strut or strut support arm. It's the arm with the twist. 

Meyle is a German brand in business since 1958 and all of their products are TUV approved and meet or exceed ISO standards. All Meyle HD parts come with a 4-year, unlimited mileage warranty. 

Features:

• 4 Year Warranty

• All metal ball joints are more reliable and longer lasting than stock

• Bushings are solid rubber rather than fluid filled, providing longevity and handling feel improvements

This item fits the following BMWs:
1997-2003 E39 5 Series BMW 540i, 540i Wagon, M5

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 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.

Features:

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

Performance

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

Fits the following BMW models:
E60/61 - RWD 525i, 528i, 530i, 545i, 550i, M5
 

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.

Control arm bushings are crucial for connecting wheels to the chassis, maintaining suspension geometry, and absorbing NVH. Standard rubber bushings aim for comfort and control balance.

Powerflex performance polyurethane control arm bushings elevate control while retaining street comfort. The advanced polyurethane minimizes NVH, ensuring improved steering feel, turn-in, responsiveness, and overall chassis composure.

As Europe's top suspension bushing manufacturer, Powerflex specializes in premium polyurethane bushings, precision-crafted for durability and enhanced performance. These bushings outlast OEM rubber counterparts, delivering an engaging driving experience.

For easy installation, Powerflex recommends using Powerflex Copper Grease PCG1. Periodic reapplication extends the squeak-free service life of the bushings.

Powerflex street bushings suit street-driven cars and occasional autocross or track use. Powerflex Black Series bushings, with 95A durometer polyurethane, are ideal for dedicated track cars, 25% stiffer than street bushings.

Powerflex proudly offers a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser on all products.

Eliminate the most common sources of suspension slop with our all new Turner Suspension Refresh Kits that feature only OEM parts! We do not include any "cheap parts" in our refresh kits to ensure long-lasting reliability and noise-free suspension.

This Level 1 kit replaces:

Rear Sway Bar End Links
Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
Rear Strut Mounts
New Hardware

ALTA Rear Control Arms are the ultimate upgrade for your MINI, replacing your rear lateral links with a solid and performance-focused design. These control arms enhance traction and handling while giving you precise control over camber and toe settings. The flexibility of ALTA control arms allows for fine-tuning without the hassle of removing and reinstalling the linkage. Simply adjust the lock nuts and twist the center section to achieve your desired settings.

These control arms are the perfect complement to other suspension products like springs, coilovers, or sway bars.

Key Features of ALTA Rear Control Arms:

• CNC machined from 6061 aluminum rod for durability.
• Heavy texture powder coating for corrosion resistance and added style.
• Teflon-lined spherical rod ends for a solid connection and improved articulation.
• Aircraft-quality spherical bearings for smooth and precise movement.
• Injected Nylon around the ball center for quiet operation as the part ages.

For a comprehensive rear end upgrade, consider purchasing two sets of control arms to replace both upper and lower control arms. This minimizes deflection from the OEM rubber bushings and reduces weight. Please note that on models with Xenon-style headlamps, some modifications to the leveling sensor mounting may be necessary. For additional details, consult your ALTA dealer or our Tech Department.

ALTA Rear Control Arms come with high-quality hardware, including corrosion-resistant spacers and Grade 8 adjustment nuts.

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.

We offer these thrust arms with the monoball bushings 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.

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 BMW X3 2.5i X3 3.0i X3 3.0si