Powerflex FCAB about to "Pop out". Is it going to kill me? :)

[wookim.design]

Hello,
I knew my FCABs were going bad so I ordered them along with new control arms.
Today, I went under the car to do a visual check and turns out I have Powerflex ones (purple and black).
The problem is, they look pretty worn out and looks like they are barely hanging onto each other.
So the purple shaft pulled toward the front of the car and is almost out of the black sleeve and they intersect maybe 1/2 inch MAX.

Here is a stupid question.
Now, the parts don't arrive until next week, should I stop driving the car until I install them? or would it be safe to just keep driving.
I have some long distance driving planned next week and I don't know how catastrophic it will be if they happen to "pop out"?

[ELCID86]

I wouldn't drive it much if any. Can you post a picture?


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[san]

I wouldn't drive it much if any. Can you post a picture?


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

+1 I wouldn't drive it... Hard to tell what can happen it pops out but I'm sure it won't be fun, especially if you are on a road trip


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[ZacharyMikel]

If you lose that insert, the control arm will flop around like a dead fish :) your toe angle will be all over the place. For a quick fix, definitely pull it apart and reseat the bushing if you're feeling up to it. And order the new bushings as soon as possible.


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[wookim.design]

2357623577

Driver side is not as bad. More worried about the passenger side.

[ELCID86]

Do not drive that car.

So did the bushing fail? Or what?


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[wookim.design]

Thanks for the confirmation! I was kind of set on driving and changed my mind :)
Bushings havent failed yet. The car drives fine though. Just a little vibration at 80+ miles. I always thought it was wheel balance being off but now i think it could be fcab.

[ELCID86]

I don't know what would allow the control arm to be that far forward.


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[wookim.design]

That's what I was worried about too....I will have to investigate further...

[wsmeyer]

It looks like the bushing has worked it's way onto the arm farther than its supposed to be.

[danewilson77]

Failed FCAB while driving can flip the car.

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[slater]

this is not the first time i've seen posts like this with powerflex bushings. looks like a design flaw.

[BMWCurves]

Failed FCAB while driving can flip the car.

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:eyetwitch May I ask how?

[CarbonZHP]

Can cause the wheel to turn suddenly at a wild angle and stop the car at that wheel, flipping the car. Im putting in Powerflex Black FCABs this weekend too..

[ZacharyMikel]

I'm going to check mine every day now... That's terrifying. My guess would be that your ball joints in the middle of the control arm are bad - like really bad, allowing it to move way too far forward.


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[danewilson77]

:eyetwitch May I ask how?


Can cause the wheel to turn suddenly at a wild angle and stop the car at that wheel, flipping the car. Im putting in Powerflex Black FCABs this weekend too..
Exactly

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[wookim.design]

So I replaced my control arm and fcab's last week before I get into a car flipping situation....and man what a difference!
And the bushing indeed worked its way onto the control arms. I am getting a feeling that it was installed that way from the beginning from the PO.
But there is a slight unstable feeling when going over 60 mph, especially when changing lanes so I will get an alignment and see if that resolves it.
Thanks guys!

[ELCID86]

So I replaced my control arm and fcab's last week before I get into a car flipping situation....and man what a difference!
And the bushing indeed worked its way onto the control arms. I am getting a feeling that it was installed that way from the beginning from the PO.
But there is a slight unstable feeling when going over 60 mph, especially when changing lanes so I will get an alignment and see if that resolves it.
Thanks guys!

Good job. Hope the alignment fixes tramlining. Check tire wear and inflation also. Could possibly be other suspension components. Hopefully the tech can give it a once-over.


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46fanatic