You've got a problem. No, this is not proper.
When you ask a question, realize the quality of the answer depends on the quality of the information you give us. You must tell us the year, model, mileage for starters. Your history with the car. Are you the first owner; what has been done previously.
In this specific instance we'd like to hear the condition of the old bushing you removed, and the condition of the end of the control arm that mates with the CAB. Did you purchase new bushings and insert them yourself, or did you purchase new CAB units? And what type? Heavy duty, oem, polyurethane?
Did you check the condition of your ball joints? Did you carefully follow the instructions when installing new CAB as far as measuring the insertion distance? Did you let the car sit for hours before driving it to let the CAB 'lock' onto the control arm?

 

It's safest to assume Stinger is right, OP, and he's asked a lot of good questions and you should be concerned. But, a few things. First, can you take really good photos of the bushing you just put on and tell us the brand.

I'm writing, though, to mostly say that my mechanic once mentioned to me that some bushings do have a 'protective' outer ring that's really nothing more than a dust shield. I remember him saying that and have just texted him to inquire more about it, but he's seen a lot of bushings.

Is the rubber ring ripped off or just slipped off? Is it the same rubber as the bushing or otherwise insubstantial relative to whatever you have on there?

I've seen a thread like this before here, maybe a couple months back, and the opinion was, at the time, that this was a major failure. But, I know Enoc wouldn't make up stuff like that either! You need to 'still' have a secure bushing...inner and outer rings strongly connected with a thick, substantive piece of rubber. If you do, Enoc might be right and you're fine!

 

Were they OEM bushings? My bet is you didnt install them correctly. Plan on buying new ones and having a mechnic replace them properly.

 

The bushings were an unbranded replacement pair from my local parts factor. They came in a white box with no markings.

Here's a closer shot of one (they both look the same):

As for "not installed correctly", can you please explain what you mean by that?

 

The bushings were an unbranded replacement pair from my local parts factor. They came in a white box with no markings.

I think that's gonna be your problem. I've never heard of this happening. Buy some Meyle or Genuine BMW bushings and I guarantee you this won't happen. Then return those after you swap them out.

 

Can we get a shot looking into/through it better.

It looks like you have the bushing you need. You can see that ring is loose on the control arm and it looks like it just 'snaps' into place the inner and outer rings of the bushing. Is it the same material? Does it appear to have a ripped edge (the one that fell off)?

How does the car handle, btw?

 

Can we get a shot looking into/through it better.

That's as good as I can get with it on my gravel drive. I'll jack it up at work tomorrow for a closer look.

It looks like you have the bushing you need. You can see that ring is loose on the control arm and it looks like it just 'snaps' into place the inner and outer rings of the bushing.

The ring can be pushed back in, but I don't see how it will stay in there; it will just fall back out. Also, one of the rings (non control arm end) has gone bye bye.

Is it the same material? Does it appear to have a ripped edge (the one that fell off)?

Same material, no ripped edge (apart from very fine mould lines).

How does the car handle, btw?

Fantastic, better than ever.

 

White box products give white box results.

And I think Dmax could figure out a thing (or two) to do with that rubber ring!

 

As long as the car handles, then this is a non-issue. Enjoy your car

 

I see what you mean, but surely the rings are there for a reason. What if the lack of ring results in fast wear? Of allows dirt where it shouldn't go?

Look at it this way, if you ripped off a ball joint boot, the car would still drive fine, but not for long.

 

OP, why would you buy AM bushings and what did they cost?

OE (BMW-stamped) bushings are $140.00 (bmwmercedesparts.com)

OEM (Lemfoerder) are $93.00 (autohauzaz.com)

 

OP, why would you buy AM bushings

Because I'm a stupid idiot.

and what did they cost?

They were £45 (that's around US$70)

 

Since it looks like they're coming out, what's the general feeling on Powerflex bushings? I've read a few good posts. Worth it? Too noisy?

 

Theyre going to be too firm and noisy. OEM bushings work best. But its your money. If you want to R&R all day, buy the AM knock-offs. I put more trust in BMW engineers and my experience supports this.

 

OP, I believe those to probably be just rings to somehow protect the bushing during shipping or something.

They might not be the best bushing, but it also wouldn't surprise me if they were Lemforder or Meyle either. I don't know that there's a cheap knock off brand in an all rubber bushing, which yours appears to be. Also wouldn't surprise me if you get close to it that you'll find a maker's mark somewhere.

Anyway, right now, I think I'd just cut off the extra rings and not worry too much. Those rings aren't part of the bushing and it's obvious they weren't intended to be fitting inside while installed.

Next time you need CABs, though, I'd lean to OE or Meyle HD and keep away from Poly bushings. Heard too many stories about them I don't like. I've heard of many going back to them after Poly. Admittedly, I also hear of many going to Poly from rubber, but often, they like the poly because they're much better than a broken OE bushing, which is what they're often compared to.

 

I'm getting ready to do the suspension on my 2000 323i and this input has been helpful. I thinking about control arms and power flex bushings. Was wondering if the Febi or if I should spring for the Meyle HD's?

 

you should get Meyle HDs with Meyle HD bushings already pressed onto the arms. When i got them, it ran me $354 shipped from oembimmerparts.com. you can try bmaparts.com or oembimmerparts.com. I think oembimmerparts MAY have them cheaper. that would be an extremely rare case when BMAparts is more expensive... but i'd double check.

 

listen to

 

:eeps:

that's the most f ucked up Control arm bushing I have ever seen! Goooooo no-name parts! WTF? Take em back where you got them and demand a refund, what a load of chit!

 

Cheap parts what do you expect. Meyle or Lemforder is the way to go.

 

Actually, that ring doesn't appear to be part of the bushing. If it isn't causing performance problems, leave them alone. Next time you replace them, buy OEM. Relax and enjoy your car.

 

Answers

Ok, I've retrieved the old bushings (the ones that have been replaced). Examining these has revealed all.

One of them is the original BMW components. It has the BMW logo on it, and is clearly as old as the car. So that's the one I'm using for these images.

Here's a photo of the bushing. It is worn, but intact.

It has a ring just like the ones that have fallen off the new bushings. This ring appears to provide additional padding, which stops excessive angular travel (with respect to the centre line of the bushing).

I've highlighted the ring in green, so you can see it better:

I wanted to know how it was held in place, so I tried levering it out. It was a tight fit, but came off with a little levering. Here is a shot of the bushing without the ring:

And here is a shot of the ring by itself:

I think these rings are an important part of the bushing, limiting overall movement. My new bushings are obviously quite poorly made, allowing the rings to just slide off.

I've ordered a pair of Powerflex. I normally like to stick with OEM, but this is such an obvious weak point on the E46 that I think there is reasonable justification for an after-market part.

Thanks to all who contributed.

 

I've ordered a pair of Powerflex. I normally like to stick with OEM, but this is such an obvious weak point on the E46 that I think there is reasonable justification for an after-market part.

You're going to regret buying those polyurethane bushings. Harsh ride and noisy. This is going to cost you even more when you realize that the AM poly's are all marketing and end up having to redo this job again for the third time.

 

Interesting. That ring certainly looks like it's part of the bushing. Was there another ring like that on the back side of the OE bushing also?

I'm stopping by the dealer today for an oil filter. I'm going to ask my parts guy about this just out of curiosity. It still seems odd that such an integral part would have a 'snap in' add on. When I got a bushing for an e36 (actually the M bushing), it was one solid molded piece of rubber. I'm also going to talk with my mechanic about the rings he's seen come off of bushings.

I'm also wondering if maybe this ring explains why so many OE bushings seem to fail, as it seems that ring might easily pull out were the bushing to be pressed on dry...but it does seem like it'd dampen pressure on our fluid filled ring.

I'd still be curious to see photos looking through your installed bushing. Finally, sorry I didn't scream loud enough to convince you to go OE bushings!

 

Interesting. That ring certainly looks like it's part of the bushing. Was there another ring like that on the back side of the OE bushing also?

Yup, one ring each side of the bushing.

It still seems odd that such an integral part would have a 'snap in' add on.

The rubber 'tube' that the ring sits around has a slightly flared opening (at least it does on the OE bushing). So as the CA forces the bushing out of centre, the ring is held in place tighter. I think the rings on my new bushings are too loose, and that flaring isn't there to hold them in.

I'd still be curious to see photos looking through your installed bushing.

As soon as the new ones arrive, I'll jack it up and take photos.

Finally, sorry I didn't scream loud enough to convince you to go OE bushings!

I understand why OEM is generally a good idea, but I like the idea of solid PU in this situation. I've used Powerflex on older cars with good results.

Is there something you aren't telling me about Powerflex?

 

i think the poly bushings may require periodic greasing to keep them quiet. they'll definitely transmit more NVH to the cabin, so if you're looking for quiet, these may not be for you. if i were you, i'd just go Meyle HD. they're supposedly built "tougher". I have them. no problems

If you want *extremely* detailed and great photos of them, look here at my pics:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=841749

 

Well see, Dmax! there's a reason to buy the poly bushings instead of OEM! The lube! It comes with one packet to apply to the bushings. The other packet? Well, the sky's the limit!

 

So, I talked with the parts guy at local dealer...he brought out a new OE bushing, and sure enough those rings are there.

Benn, parts guy, talked with someone in the shop who said that ring is for stability, and dust control...though he also said he thought that the fluid would leak if that ring was gone...I don't quite buy that part.

Anyway, OP, I think under extreme conditions it might actually act as an extra stabilizer...and you might be able to slip the loose ring you have back on. On the OE, there's a metal flange for it to snap onto.

Anyway, lost the OE/poly battle I know, but at least some of you guys are pretty happy about all the lube you'll have. Hope enough is left over for those of you really into bushings! (It's probably not safe in animals, though!)

 

So, I talked with the parts guy at local dealer...he brought out a new OE bushing, and sure enough those rings are there.

Benn, parts guy, talked with someone in the shop who said that ring is for stability, and dust control...though he also said he thought that the fluid would leak if that ring was gone...I don't quite buy that part.

Anyway, OP, I think under extreme conditions it might actually act as an extra stabilizer...and you might be able to slip the loose ring you have back on. On the OE, there's a metal flange for it to snap onto.

Anyway, lost the OE/poly battle I know, but at least some of you guys are pretty happy about all the lube you'll have. Hope enough is left over for those of you really into bushings! (It's probably not safe in animals, though!)

ok DMAX, you went a bit far on that one. Even for me! :rofl:

 

Just picked up OEM Lemforder bushings today for delmarco. They do have that ring on them.

 

Sounds good, D. Yeah their site is a little wonky with part #s, just call them and ask them to order one up or quote. or e-mail patrick@bmaparts.com, he responds pretty quickly.

 

I'm having my powerfex FCAB'S installed tomorrow. When I first purchased my e46 I had the clunk sound when turning at low speeds so googled it and seen a video on YouTube (this was before I discovered e46fanatics). Took it to the Indy across the street from my house who only uses oem parts and will not even do any type of performance mods. I have since found a new shop. Anyway that was at 73,500 miles. Now I'm about to hit 90,000. When I had my alignment done after I got new tires 2 months ago the tech told me my fcab's were going. I'm lowered and on 19 so I guess that caused them to wear prematurely. From what I have been reading poly bushings are really the only way to avoid having to replace my bushings every 15,000. I'll report back.

 

Ok, the defective bushings are out, the new Powerflex are in.

Examining the faulty bushings doesn't give much of a clue as to why the rings fell off, apart from the lack of flaring on the inner rubber pieces. I suspect this, and general poor-fit, is the reason.

Those rings are definitely an important part of the bushing, they are necessary to prevent excessive movement.

As for the Powerflex, they went on pretty easily. They look good. They feel nice and solid, with no play.

Are they better? I can't really feel any difference. I think they will outlast OEM bushings massively, but to me they feel pretty much the same on the road.

Is there more noise? No, not at all.

More vibration? I have a very slight resonance vibration at ~72mph, which I am guessing is a wheel balance issue. But it is very slight.

Am I happy with the Powerflex bushings? It's going to boil down to how long they last. If I never have to replace them again, then I am happy with them.

 

Solid Review

Boy, you work fast!
Sounds like a solid review to me that corroborates all that I said about these poly CAB's. Feel like new, no more noise or vibration than oem, and wear much better than oem.
I'm at 30K miles on mine now and they show no sign of age.
You can see from the dense material that there is very little room for them to wear. No complex rubber web structure or oil filled sacs to rupture or wear. The poly would have to disintegrate in order for these to wear out. Have never heard of anyone experiencing end of life issues with poly. Would be interesting to hear if anyone has had this happen.

 

Boy, you work fast!
Sounds like a solid review to me that corroborates all that I said about these poly CAB's. Feel like new, no more noise or vibration than oem, and wear much better than oem.
I'm at 30K miles on mine now and they show no sign of age.
You can see from the dense material that there is very little room for them to wear. No complex rubber web structure or oil filled sacs to rupture or wear. The poly would have to disintegrate in order for these to wear out. Have never heard of anyone experiencing end of life issues with poly. Would be interesting to hear if anyone has had this happen.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=770507