After much R&D and testing, Rogue Engineering is proud to introduce its Performance Front Control Arm Bushings (FCAB).  A unique combination of CNC'd 6061-T6 aluminum and high performance urethane, we can now offer a bushing that is performance oriented enough for the track junkie yet without significant increases in NVH when used on the street.

You Bad Bushing!  You Bad, Bad Bushing!
Factory bushings are more than adequate for street driving.  However, when the miles start to pile up, the bushings are meant to be replaced.  Common side effects of worn factory FCABs include, but are not limited to the following:

• Steering wheel shutter when brakes are applied
• Wheel (and steering wheel) shimmy
• Mysterious and irregular tire wear
• "Overboosted" steering feel (very light steering)

Replacing factory bushings, with new factory bushings will return the factory feel.  However, we offer something that gives you MORE.

RE Performance FCABs
With the numerous delrin/urethane/hybrid replacement bushings in the market, we vowed to make something that was not only effective, but simple.  No clips, no washers, no multiple sleeves, no "race parts in street cars".

Some of the feature benefits of our Performance FCABs include:

• Serviceable/rebuildable (replacement of bushing insert)
• Urethane insert prevents unwanted control arm deflection while allowing NVH isolation
• Eliminates steering shimmy and wander, especially with the addition of big brake upgrades
• Unchanged steering geometry
• Direct "connected" feeing with front end of vehicle
• Easy to install (professional installation recommended)

STREET bushing insert (BLACK) and TRACK bushing insert (BLUE)

Rogue Engineering Performance FCAB installed on E46 M3

During our testing, we found that our Performance FCABs deflected much less than new OEM bushings.  

In our development, we were able to limit the amount of bushing deflection while also controlling the amount of NVH being transmitted through the bushing itself by the durometer of the urethane insert.  We discovered that increasing the durometer stiffness (to nearly the harness of plastic or Delrin), we were able to limit the movement of the bushing so that it didn't move at all.  However, we got too much NVH to be used in a street driven car.  When we reduced the durometer too much, we had a very comfortable bushing, with stock-like performance.  Of course, with our goals, we were looking for performance one could live with everyday. 

E30/E36 Versions
The E30/E36 version is available in "centered" and "offset" versions.  The offset versions were used on 1995 E36 M3s, and offered slightly more caster in the suspension geometry.  Using offset version bushings in vehicles not designed for them require an alignment. 

How good are they?

Don't take our word, but the words of others that have tried the Rogue Engineering FCAB product.

From the initial sight of the bushings to the steering response input after the install I was thoroughly impressed. These bushings were installed on my 2003 E46 M3 with roughly 70k miles. [Note, one bushing was actually cracked.] I was expecting the install to take longer then it actually did, which was all of 20 minutes, but to my surprise the guys at Rogue couldn't have made the design any simpler. Immediately I noticed a "tighter" steering response. The car feels much more responsive with the slightest effort from the steering wheel. I have since put 1500 miles on the bushings and have taken the car to a 2 day HPDE event at VIR and I'm happy to report zero extra NVH. All in all I'm very happy with the upgrade.

-Peter Chang (aka JeST on M3F)

The FCAB's were a different story. Originally I got the Powerflex fcabs because the Rogue fcabs were out of stock. It was a 3 hour battle to press in the powerflex fcabs with a hydraulic press. It was also tough to get the insert pounded on the control arm. The insert stretched a little bit, the housing compressed which made it impossible to fit the insert into the housing. At which point I finally found out that the number on the fcab did not match the number on the box. So someone at powerflex put in the wrong fcabs in the box or I'm an idiot and did something wrong. In any case I was stuck. I ordered the rogue fcabs directly from their site and waited for them to come in while my car sat on jack stands.

When they finally came in, I was really impressed with how they were made. Solid machined aluminum housing with urethane inserts. Compared to the Powerflex pieces which had so much left over flash I had to clean them up. Granted the Rogue fcabs cost twice as much, but they were worth it. The Rogue fcabs pressed in very easily and so did the insert. Everything seems like it was a perfect fit for the car.

So far I have been driving the car for just a few days. It feels like a different car.

- Remi M. on M3F

Installation Notes

Access to the underside of the vehicle is required and professional installation is recommended.

The RE Performance FCABs reuse the factory "lollipops", as the aluminum sleeve of the FCAB is pressed into place (hydraulic press is required for removal of stock bushing and installation of RE FCABs).

Non-E46 M3s had both 66mm and 60mm ID housings.  Most standard E46 vehicles produced before 2/01 used 60mm ID housings.  

Rogue Engineering FCAB Installation for E46 M3