[rice_smuggler]

I'm in the process of getting the last few bits for my suspension refresh for my 2011 328i xDrive (E92) and was wondering what my FCAB options are. I've read multiple threads also referring to these front arms as thrust arm/upper control arm/traction strut. As part of my parts list, I have brand new Lemförder arms (part #31126768983 & 31126768984).

Options for FCAB I've seen are:
1) Turner Motorsport Spherical Thrust Arm Bearing Set (E90, E91, E92 AWD, E84 X1) - can be purchased with or without arms
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...m-bearing-set/
2) Syncro Design Works e90, e92 335, M3 Front Control Arms - only 1 option to purchase arms with bushings installed as there is no option to purchase the bushings alone
https://syncrodesignworks.com/produc...nt=24380938435
3) STRONGFLEX Front wishbone bush xi 4x4 SPORT - only 1 option to purchase bushings, must purchase 2
https://strongflex.us/e90-e91-e92-04...553503470.html

Aside from these 3 options, are there any others?

[neilvan]

The E90 M3 thrust arm bushings work(You will have to press these into your stock arms though

Second option you listed
won't work as its for RWD applications

[iPee]

I have an E91 xDrive I purchased recently. Ordered the syncro arms and will be installing next week.

This the one you looking for if you have xDrive.

https://syncrodesignworks.com/collec...ro-thrust-arms

[bimmermech123]

Originally Posted by iPee

I have an E91 xDrive I purchased recently. Ordered the syncro arms and will be installing next week.

This the one you looking for if you have xDrive.

https://syncrodesignworks.com/collec...ro-thrust-arms

Did you install the syncro arms yet? If so how do they feel?

[vSOAPYv]

I have the adjustable powerflex in my 335i xdrive. Haven't touched them for 3 years. They only squeak when turned full lock. X drive cars have steel front control arms that can't be replaced with the ones from rear wheel drive cars.
https://www.powerflexusa.com/shop/pr...=1788#attr=505

Edit: If you already have the new arms with bushings installed why not just run them (FYI they need to be tightened with the car on the ground / with all the weight on the wheels). If you wanted different bushings, you should be fine to use your old arms and press in new bushings into your old arms. You can get bushing press / puller kits on amazon that will work. That's what I did.

[iPee]

Originally Posted by bimmermech123

Did you install the syncro arms yet? If so how do they feel?

Installed them yesterday. Night and day difference for me. Like tetsuo111 has mentioned no additional noise or harshness. He was the one who brought these to the community initially. The steering and input it feels a lot more alive. Hard to put the feeling into words.

A bit of background though, when I bought the car 1 of the bushings on the thrust arms were completely shot. Car came on BC Racing coilovers.

I replaced it with syncro arms. I also replaced the wishbone(control arms), outer tie rod ends, and ball joints that connect to the thrust arms. I also did an alignment as well. My car is at 188K km. While the change was significant for me there were also a lot of other factors at play. I'm not sure how much of it can be attributed to the Syncro arms but I love them so far.

Alignment before
Front
Caster (L/R) 8.1*/7.9*
Camber (L/R) -2.8*/-2.9*
Toe (L/R) -1.5*/-0.6*

Rear
Camber (L/R) -2.1*/-2.5*
Toe (L/R) -0.15*/0.25*

Alignment after
Front
Caster (L/R) 7.5*/7.4*
Camber (L/R) -3.0*/-2.8*
Toe (L/R) 0.05*/0.05*

Rear
Camber (L/R) -2.1*/-2.4*
Toe (L/R) 0.10*/0.10*

[bimmermech123]

Thanks for letting us know how the control arms affect the ride and handling as well as providing a detailed description of the circumstances of your particular vehicle. It is clear that monoballs are superior to any other bushing, with the only negative being the price.

I hope the alignment shop wasn't far from you, those before toe angles are absurd, but to be expected when doing such an upgrade.

[Peter Morrin]

Powerflex and Strongflex both make polyurethane bushings for the Thrust Arms of the xi. The Strongflex are a little cheaper. There have been some reports of squeaking from poly bushings, but some have obviously not had this issue. How do these compare with the m3 rubber bushing in terms of performance, durability, and NVH. I unfortunately can't afford the mono-ball suspension and would be concerned about NVH.

Peter

[Peter Morrin]

Update. I installed the Powerflex polyuerethane bushings in my thrust arms and rotated the eccentric bushing to provide maximum caster. 10,000 Miles since installation. There was no dicernable increase in NVH. I was also not able to discern any difference in steering response, but this was with snow tires in a 205/55-16 size. In summary, I am glad I went this route, but the ultimate performance option for those who are not in a snow belt would be the syncrodesignworks monoball fittings.

[chris55552]

Originally Posted by rice_smuggler

I'm in the process of getting the last few bits for my suspension refresh for my 2011 328i xDrive (E92) and was wondering what my FCAB options are. I've read multiple threads also referring to these front arms as thrust arm/upper control arm/traction strut. As part of my parts list, I have brand new Lemförder arms (part #31126768983 & 31126768984).

Options for FCAB I've seen are:
1) Turner Motorsport Spherical Thrust Arm Bearing Set (E90, E91, E92 AWD, E84 X1) - can be purchased with or without arms
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...m-bearing-set/
2) Syncro Design Works e90, e92 335, M3 Front Control Arms - only 1 option to purchase arms with bushings installed as there is no option to purchase the bushings alone
https://syncrodesignworks.com/produc...nt=24380938435
3) STRONGFLEX Front wishbone bush xi 4x4 SPORT - only 1 option to purchase bushings, must purchase 2
https://strongflex.us/e90-e91-e92-04...553503470.html

Aside from these 3 options, are there any others?

In same boat as you, same car as mine and im just starting to research my options. At first I thought I was screwed and couldnt upgrade anything but now Im seeing other upgrade xdrive cars suspension with success, Im not sure wheter to get coilovers, bilsteins or koni actives for my car plus the bushings and other components like you mentioned. Wish we had a list of all things we can upgrade...My problem is I dont know much about the different suspension components or which of the 3 shocks/struts coilovers would be best between the coilovers, bilsteins or koni actives.....Any suggestions you have would be great. Thanks for the information in the thread, gives me hope now.