BMW Control Arm Replacements & Upgrades

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. 

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 e30, e36, and e46 owners similar levels of handling precision and control for the track and street, but weren�t satisfied with the other options out there.� Instead of a Delrin bushing or unsealed spherical bearing alone, we selected an oversized sealed greaseable spherical monoball to offer unparalleled durability and precision, but designed a Delrin adapter sleeve to help isolate the added noise, vibration, and harshness that a full solid monoball bearing will have.�While race-ready,�our hybrid Delrin/monoball control arm bearings are more at home on the street than other kits that are advertised as��race-only� bearings. We did extensive street, autocross, and track testing to ensure the spherical bearing used in this bushing design excelled in each setting.

The stock rubber bushings, even�those found in the M3,�allow significant fore/aft movement of the front wheels to help absorb road impacts, especially when being pushed hard. �This soft flexible design maximizes daily driving comfort, but also allows considerable alignment change.� This unwanted deflection�stands between you and a crisp, confidence-inspiring driving experience. �The advantage of a monoball bearing is that it will not deflect under load, eliminating all unwanted deflection while still allowing�complete freedom of movement�in the desired angles. What you get is superior steering precision with better handling from more consistent alignment�and direct braking feedback, with exceptional service life.� Thanks to the�Delrin insert and double lip seals, there's none of the extra noise or reduced service life�often�found on�other�spherical bearings.

In short, if you're seeking front control arm bushings that offer precise, predictable handling, crisper braking feel, with a long service life free from noise - look no further. We have you covered.

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Watch to learn more about Turner Monoball Bushings

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Features:

Bearing housing

• Manufactured using 6061-T6 blue anodized aluminum with a pre-installed grease fitting and grease distribution channels making this a serviceable design
• Knurling allows for a wide variance in lollipop dimension, although this particular SKU comes pre-installed, so you won't need to worry about that.�Want to install your own? Click here.�

Bearing

• A high quality greaseable double lip sealed bearing with Delrin� inserts. Delrin� was chosen due to durability�under pressure, while still soft�enough to create a perfect play-free fitment on the control arm.
• Replaceable for infinite service life - no need to replace the entire mount in the event a bearing happens to fail.

Includes new hardware. Grease before installation and with each oil service with high quality Moly grease for maximum service life.�Need a grease fitting tool?

Installation is relatively easy - see our instructions here.�

This item fits the following BMWs:

1999-2006�E46 BMW�323i 323ci 325i 325ci 328i 328ci 330i 330ci�
2003-2008�Z4 BMW�Z4 2.5i Z4 3.0i Z4 3.0si�

Lemforder
This control arm upgrade was used on the high-performance 330i ZHP Performance Package and offered by BMW as a sport retrofit. These arms are identical dimensions as the regular arms so they are a direct replacement. But they have all metal ball joints instead of plastic or rubber. This means they last a lot longer and are much stronger. We used these in our Grand Am and World Challenge E46 racecars with excellent performance.

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. 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. For a street-driven car we advise yearly inspection and a full replacement every 3-4 years. For track-driven cars these should be inspected before every event and replaced every two years.

We also recommend replacing the bushings when changing the control arms. The bushings are mounted at the back of the control arm and located the arm to the frame rail on the car. The stock bushings are rubber and will wear out sooner than the control arms themselves. With the control arm off the car now is the perfect time to also replace the bushings.

Lemforder is the original equipment supplier to BMW for these control arms.

OEM Lemförder is an engineering company that focuses on high-quality, precision manufacturing of critical suspension and steering components. Providing exceptionally high quality parts directly to BMW, as well as 50+ other big name automotive companies, such as Mercedes and Audi, their history of reliability and variety of offered parts makes them one of the biggest names for a go-to OEM parts provider. Lemförder parts place an important emphasis on design, production, and assembly, ensuring maximum reliability. They even coat all parts possible with corrosion protection for extended longevity.

As a leading source of high performance BMW parts and accessories since 1993, we at Turner Motorsport are honored to be the go-to supplier for tens of thousands of enthusiasts the world over. With over two decades of parts, service, and racing experience under our belt, we provide only quality performance and replacement parts.  All of our performance parts are those we would (and do!) install and run on our own cars, as well as replacement parts that are Genuine BMW or from OEM manufacturers. We only offer parts we know you can trust to perform!

This item fits the following BMWs:
1999-2006 E46 BMW 323i 323ci 325i 325ci 328i 328ci 330i 330ci
2003-2008 Z4 BMW Z4 2.5i Z4 3.0i Z4 3.0si Z4 M Roadster M Coupe