Do it yourself
Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles

Replacing Front Suspension Control Arm

Model: BMW Serie 3 E46 - Years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Part: Control arm

See other generations:
Video tutorial

The failure of the bushings (or silent block) of the control arm is a common issue on this car model. To replace it, lift the vehicle on suitable jack stands and remove the nuts securing the ball joints of the arm (one attached to the wheel hub and the other to the engine cradle: for this, you will need to access from the engine compartment with an extension).

Next, remove the rear silent block: you will notice the rubber part has deteriorated. Then, proceed in reverse to install the new control arm, which can also be found in the aftermarket.


Updated on 12 February 2026 by ScegliAuto


Related tutorials

BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) The failure of the rubber part of the bushings on the suspension control arms is a common issue on these models. You can either replace the entire co…
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) Lift the vehicle on a lift and locate the control arm of the suspension, which is triangular in shape and connected to the hub and the vehicle's fram…
BMW Serie 3 (1998-2006 / E46) If the bushings of the suspension control arm are damaged, you can purchase just the replacement bushings (silent block) instead of the entire arm. T…

Other guides you may be interested in

How to Reset the Tyre Pressure Warning Light on a Kia Rio?

The tyre pressure warning light displayed on the instrument cluster of the Kia Rio can be reset by inflating the tyres until they reach the recommended pressure value: this value is indicated on the sticker affixed to the driver's door pillar. Once all tyres have been inflated to the recommended pressure, turn on the ignition to check that the light has disappeared: if it is still present, it may be necessary to drive for a few miles, allowing the sensors to work and thus turning off the light.

Watch the video!


by ScegliAuto

More videos