Washer on Powerflex FCAB (Front Control Arm Bushing)

On the left front control arm I couldn't get the FCAB powerflex washer on the end the control arm shaft. This washer prevents the ID of the powerflex bushing from moving forward and sliding up and beyond the necked down portion of the rear of the control arm. i just couldn't get the arm to install with the washer on. The right side installed ok. I'm concerned that over time the ID of the FCAB will enlarge and it will slip up too far on the control arm.

How can i remedy this issue ?


I got the car aligned and is pulls to the right a little bit. I also put new control arms, Inner ball joints, sway bar end links, and redid he CV joint boots.

2001 330 XI 97,000 miles.


Thanks for the help guys. Don C.

Can anyone tell me if the Powerflex washer is necessary ?

Washer? Take a picture of what you're talking about. I have Powerflex FCABs and I never had any washers.

The original Powerflex bushing purple center had rotated slightly on my control arms. When replacing the arm, I also replaced the bushing. The new bushing has a metal disk cast into the pruple center to prevent this rotation I assume. If the "washer" is free from the bushing, it's failed. Is this the mwasher you refer to? Doesn't mean the bushing is no good?

When I bought my bushings, they came with a seperate washer that would keep the center inside diameter of the bushing from sliding forward on the control arm shaft. my bushings did not have an integral washer, the purple inside part was all urethane. it was slightly softer durometer than the outside part of the bushing. you can see the washers in the picture. these are for an Xi. I am concerned that the bushing will enlarge and slide over the control arm shaft.