BMW 3 Series F30 (2012–2018) Polymann Bushing Upgrade — 3 Front + 6 Rear Kits Explained

The BMW 3 Series F30 — produced from 2012 to 2018 — is built around one promise: the ultimate driving experience. BMW achieves this through a sophisticated suspension system that uses a double-pivot front setup and a five-link independent rear axle. Both front and rear suspensions depend heavily on precise bushing geometry to deliver the sharp, connected steering and stable cornering the F30 is known for. As mileage accumulates, the rubber bushings throughout this system degrade — and the driving feel the F30 was famous for starts to fade.

PPPB 35990 — Front Lower Arm Bushing Kit: The front lower arm on the F30 uses a double-pivot design — the arm has two bushing points that work together to control the wheel's fore-aft and lateral position under load. The inner bushings absorb braking and acceleration forces. When they wear, the steering develops a vague, rubbery feel and the front end lacks the precision BMW intended.

PPPB 35991 — Front Control Arm Bushing Kit: Separate from the lower arm, the F30 also has a front control arm that handles the lateral geometry of the front wheel — helping maintain consistent camber and toe through suspension travel. Its bushing is a large single unit that must resist significant lateral cornering loads. Wear here causes camber instability and uneven front tyre wear.

PPPB 36192 — Front Stabilizer Bar Bushing Kit: The front anti-roll bar on the F30 works hard to keep the body flat through corners. The two clamp bushings that hold the bar to the subframe take on significant cyclic loading every time the car corners. As they harden, the bar starts to knock in its mounts — a common noise complaint on higher-mileage F30s. The Polymann polyurethane bushings grip the bar firmly, eliminating the rattle.

The F30's rear suspension is a five-link independent setup — one of the most sophisticated rear axle designs in the segment. Five separate arms connect the rear wheel hub to the subframe, each controlling a specific dimension of wheel movement. Every arm has its own bushings, and every bushing location contributes to the rear end's composure. This is why the F30 needs six rear bushing kit locations — more than almost any other car in its class.

PPPB 36027 — Rear Lower Arm Bushing Kit (short lateral arm): Controls the lateral position of the rear wheel. Wear here causes the rear wheel to shift sideways under cornering load, making the rear feel loose and unpredictable.

PPPB 36028 — Rear Lower Arm (Long) Bushing Kit: The long lower arm controls the fore-aft positioning of the rear wheel and handles braking forces. Worn bushings here cause rear end movement under braking — a slightly unsettled feeling when slowing down.

PPPB 36029 — Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Kit: The trailing arm links the rear wheel hub to the front of the rear subframe, defining the longitudinal position of the entire rear axle. It handles the largest share of braking and acceleration forces at the rear. Wear produces a rear-end thud under load and reduces rear stability under heavy braking.

PPPB 36030 — Rear Upper Arm (Long) Bushing Kit: The long upper arm controls camber through suspension travel — critical for maintaining consistent contact patch on the rear tyres. Worn bushings here cause camber to wander, resulting in uneven rear tyre wear and a rear end that shifts unpredictably mid-corner.

PPPB 36031 — Rear Upper Arm (Short) Bushing Kit: The short upper arm works alongside the long upper arm to define the precise lateral and camber geometry of the rear wheel. Both upper arms must be in good condition together — worn bushings in the short arm cancel out the precision of a freshly replaced long arm.

PPPB 36226 — Rear Knuckle Bushing Kit: The rear knuckle (wheel carrier) is the central hub that all five arms connect to. The knuckle itself has bushings at the arm attachment points. These are often overlooked but are the final link in the chain — if the knuckle bushings are worn, the precise geometry achieved by replacing all the arm bushings is undermined.

The F30's five-link rear suspension is geometry-sensitive by design. Replacing any rear bushing — especially the trailing arm, upper arms, or knuckle — shifts the rear wheel's camber, toe and thrust angle. A comprehensive four-wheel alignment covering all four corners is mandatory after any rear bushing replacement on the F30. At 4M Carcare we always perform a full alignment check after bushing installation work.

4M Carcare is an authorised Polymann installer in Bandar Sri Damansara with experience working on BMW F30 and other European multi-link suspension systems. We stock Polymann bushing kits for the F30 and carry out front and rear installation in-house, followed by a full four-wheel alignment.

Whether you want to do all nine locations at once for a complete refresh, or start with the most worn positions — front lower arm and rear trailing arm are the most common first replacements on the F30 — WhatsApp us with your mileage and we will guide you through the right approach.