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Best Suspension Upgrades for VK & VL Commodore

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Upgrading the suspension in a VK or VL Commodore is one of the most effective ways to dramatically improve handling, safety and overall driving enjoyment. These classic Holdens were built in the mid-to-late 1980s, meaning their factory suspension systems are now well over 35 years old.

Rubber bushes, shock absorbers and springs degrade significantly over time, leading to poor ride quality, vague steering and excessive body roll. Fortunately, there are many modern upgrade options that can transform the way these cars drive while still maintaining a comfortable street-friendly setup.

Why Upgrade VK & VL Suspension?

Even well-preserved Commodores suffer from suspension wear.

Common Issues in Stock Suspension

  • Excessive body roll
  • Loose steering feel
  • Uneven tyre wear
  • Clunking over bumps
  • Poor high-speed stability

Upgrading the suspension restores control and improves safety.

1. Heavy-Duty Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers are the most important upgrade.

Benefits

  • Improved ride control
  • Reduced bouncing
  • Better cornering stability
  • Increased safety

Recommended Options

  • Monroe GT Gas shocks
  • KYB Excel-G shocks
  • Bilstein performance shocks (premium option)

Best For

  • Daily drivers
  • Restored VK/VL Commodores

2. Polyurethane Bush Kit Upgrade

Replacing factory rubber bushes with polyurethane is a major improvement.

Benefits

  • Longer lifespan than rubber
  • Sharper steering response
  • Reduced suspension movement
  • Better handling under load

Common Areas to Upgrade

  • Control arms
  • Sway bar mounts
  • Panhard rod bushes
  • Trailing arm bushes

Trade-Off

  • Slightly firmer ride quality

3. Lowering Springs

Lowering springs improve both appearance and handling.

Benefits

  • Lower centre of gravity
  • Reduced body roll
  • Improved cornering stability
  • More aggressive stance

Recommended Brands

  • King Springs
  • Lovells Springs

Important Note

Always match lowering springs with quality shock absorbers.

4. Coilover Suspension Kits (Performance Upgrade)

For maximum adjustability, coilovers are the top-tier option.

Benefits

  • Adjustable ride height
  • Adjustable damping (on premium kits)
  • Improved handling precision
  • Track-capable performance

Best For

  • Modified VL Turbo builds
  • Performance street cars
  • Enthusiast restorations

Trade-Off

  • Higher cost
  • Firmer ride

5. Sway Bar Upgrades

Sway bars reduce body roll during cornering.

Benefits

  • Improved cornering stability
  • Reduced understeer
  • Better handling balance

Upgrade Options

  • Thicker front sway bar
  • Upgraded rear sway bar
  • Heavy-duty end links

Best For

  • Street performance builds
  • Towing setups
  • Spirited driving

6. Adjustable Panhard Rod

The panhard rod controls rear axle movement.

Benefits

  • Improved rear-end stability
  • Better cornering control
  • Reduced axle shift under load

Why It Matters

Stock bushes wear out and allow excessive movement in the rear axle.

7. Strut Top Mount Upgrades

Often overlooked but very important.

Benefits

  • Improved steering precision
  • Reduced vibration
  • Better suspension alignment stability

Recommended Upgrade

  • Heavy-duty rubber mounts or polyurethane versions

8. Full Suspension Rebuild Kit

For tired VK and VL Commodores, a full rebuild is often the best option.

Includes

  • Shock absorbers
  • Springs
  • Control arm bushes
  • Ball joints
  • Sway bar links
  • Panhard rod bushes

Benefits

  • Restores factory handling or better
  • Eliminates worn components
  • Improves safety dramatically

VK vs VL Suspension Considerations

VK Commodore

  • Slightly heavier chassis feel
  • Simpler suspension tuning
  • Responds well to basic upgrades

VL Commodore

  • Slightly more refined handling
  • More sensitive to alignment changes
  • Benefits greatly from bush upgrades

Both models gain significant improvement from modern suspension parts.

Best Suspension Upgrade Combinations

Budget Refresh Setup

  • New shocks (Monroe or KYB)
  • Standard replacement springs
  • New rubber bushes

Street Performance Setup

  • KYB or Bilstein shocks
  • Polyurethane bush kit
  • King Springs lowering springs
  • Upgraded sway bars

Full Performance Setup

  • Coilover kit
  • Adjustable panhard rod
  • Heavy-duty sway bars
  • Polyurethane full bush replacement

Common Mistakes When Upgrading Suspension

1. Mixing Old and New Components

Worn parts will reduce performance of new upgrades.

2. Lowering Without Upgraded Shocks

Causes poor ride quality and instability.

3. Ignoring Wheel Alignment

Essential after any suspension work.

4. Using Cheap Bush Kits

Low-quality bushes wear out quickly and reduce handling benefits.

Signs Your Suspension Needs Upgrading

  • Car feels unstable at speed
  • Excessive bouncing after bumps
  • Steering feels vague or loose
  • Uneven tyre wear
  • Clunking noises from suspension

If these symptoms appear, a full upgrade is recommended.

Final Thoughts

Upgrading the suspension on a VK or VL Commodore is one of the most effective improvements you can make. Whether you choose a simple shock and bush refresh or a full performance coilover setup, the difference in handling, comfort and safety is significant.

Given the age of these vehicles, most factory suspension components are well past their service life, making upgrades not just a performance improvement but also a safety upgrade.

With the right combination of shocks, springs and bushes, a VK or VL Commodore can be transformed into a far more stable, enjoyable and capable classic car.

Related Articles

  • VK, VL Commodore Suspension Problems
  • VK Commodore Steering System Repair Guide
  • VK, VL Commodore Cooling System Problems
  • VL Commodore Buying Guide
  • Best Rust Prevention Products for Classic Commodores
  • How to Inspect a VK or VL Commodore Before Buying