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VK & VL Commodore Suspension Problems

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Suspension issues are extremely common in VK and VL Commodores due to age, wear and the design of the original Holden suspension systems. These vehicles were built in the mid-to-late 1980s, meaning most rubber bushes, shock absorbers and steering components are now well past their intended service life.

Both VK (1984–1986) and VL (1986–1988) Commodores share similar suspension layouts, and many of the same problems affect both models today.

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Overview of VK & VL Suspension Systems

The suspension setup is relatively simple but effective for its era.

Front Suspension

  • MacPherson struts
  • Coil springs
  • Control arms with rubber bushes
  • Ball joints

Rear Suspension

  • Live axle (solid rear axle)
  • Coil springs
  • Trailing arms
  • Panhard rod

While durable, rubber components degrade heavily over time.

1. Worn Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are one of the first suspension components to fail.

Symptoms

  • Bouncy ride
  • Excessive body movement
  • Poor handling
  • Nose diving under braking

Causes

  • Age-related internal fluid loss
  • Seal failure
  • High mileage wear

Worn shocks significantly reduce safety and comfort.

2. Deteriorated Control Arm Bushes

Rubber bushes degrade over decades.

Symptoms

  • Loose steering feel
  • Wandering at speed
  • Clunking over bumps

Causes

  • Rubber cracking
  • Oil contamination
  • Constant load stress

This is one of the most common VK/VL suspension issues.

3. Ball Joint Wear

Ball joints allow steering movement but wear out over time.

Symptoms

  • Knocking noise from front end
  • Loose steering
  • Uneven tyre wear

Causes

  • Lack of lubrication
  • Age and mileage

Worn ball joints can become a safety risk.

4. Sagging Rear Suspension

The VK and VL use a live rear axle with coil springs.

Symptoms

  • Rear end sitting low
  • Uneven ride height
  • Poor load handling

Causes

  • Weak or collapsed springs
  • Heavy load use over time

Rear sag is very common in older Commodores.

5. Worn Panhard Rod Bushes

The panhard rod controls side-to-side movement of the rear axle.

Symptoms

  • Rear end shifting under cornering
  • Unstable handling
  • Clunking from rear suspension

Causes

  • Rubber bush deterioration
  • Excessive movement over time

This directly affects handling stability.

6. Steering Play and Suspension Link Wear

Suspension and steering systems are closely linked.

Symptoms

  • Loose steering wheel feel
  • Excess play in steering
  • Poor straight-line stability

Causes

  • Worn tie rod ends
  • Loose steering rack components
  • Bush wear throughout system

Often feels worse at highway speeds.

7. Shock Mount Failure

Upper and lower shock mounts deteriorate over time.

Symptoms

  • Knocking noises
  • Loose rear or front suspension feel
  • Excess vibration

Causes

  • Rubber mount breakdown
  • Corrosion around mounting points

8. Uneven Tyre Wear

Suspension wear often shows through tyres.

Symptoms

  • Inner or outer tyre wear
  • Cupping or feathering
  • Reduced tyre life

Causes

  • Poor wheel alignment
  • Worn bushes or shocks
  • Incorrect camber settings

9. Front End Noise Over Bumps

A common complaint in VK and VL Commodores.

Symptoms

  • Clunking or knocking noises
  • Rattles over rough roads

Causes

  • Worn sway bar links
  • Loose control arm bushes
  • Damaged strut mounts

10. Sway Bar Link Wear

Sway bars reduce body roll but rely on small link bushes.

Symptoms

  • Rattling noises
  • Poor cornering stability
  • Excess body roll

Causes

  • Rubber deterioration
  • Loose fittings

Cheap but important to replace.

VK vs VL Suspension Differences

VK Commodore

  • Slightly heavier setup
  • More basic bushings
  • Simpler steering geometry

VL Commodore

  • Refined suspension tuning
  • Slightly better ride comfort
  • Still suffers from same wear points

Both models suffer similarly due to age rather than design flaws.

Best Suspension Upgrade Options

1. Heavy-Duty Shock Absorbers

Benefits

  • Improved handling
  • Reduced body roll
  • Better ride control

Best For

  • Daily driving
  • Restored VK/VL Commodores

2. Polyurethane Bush Upgrade

Benefits

  • Longer lifespan than rubber
  • Improved steering response
  • Reduced movement under load

Trade-Off

  • Slightly firmer ride

3. Lowering Springs (Optional Upgrade)

Benefits

  • Improved stance
  • Better handling balance
  • Reduced body roll

Warning

Must be matched with suitable shock absorbers.

4. Complete Suspension Rebuild Kit

Includes

  • Control arm bushes
  • Ball joints
  • Sway bar links
  • Shock absorbers

Best For

  • Full restorations
  • Safety refresh

Signs Your Suspension Needs Attention

  • Car feels unstable at speed
  • Excessive bouncing after bumps
  • Clunking noises from front or rear
  • Uneven tyre wear
  • Loose or vague steering

If multiple symptoms appear, a full suspension refresh is likely needed.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

Inspect Bushes Regularly

Look for cracking or splitting rubber.

Replace Shocks in Pairs

Ensures balanced handling.

Keep Wheels Aligned

Prevents uneven tyre wear.

Avoid Overloading Rear End

Reduces stress on springs and bushes.

Suspension problems in VK and VL Commodores are extremely common due to age rather than design faults. Rubber components, shock absorbers and steering linkages naturally deteriorate over decades of use.

While these issues can affect ride comfort and handling, they are generally straightforward to repair and upgrade. A full suspension refresh can dramatically improve the driving experience, making a classic Commodore feel far more stable, safe and enjoyable on the road.

For owners and restorers, addressing suspension wear is one of the most effective ways to improve both safety and performance.

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