The EH Holden is one of Australia’s most iconic classic cars. Its combination of timeless styling, Holden’s famous Red Motor and simple mechanical design make it a favourite among enthusiasts, restorers and weekend cruisers alike. While the EH was considered comfortable and capable in 1963, suspension technology has come a long way in the decades since.
Even a well-maintained EH Holden will feel noticeably different to a modern vehicle. Body roll, soft damping, vague steering and ageing suspension components can all detract from the driving experience. The good news is that there are several proven suspension upgrades that can dramatically improve ride quality, handling, safety and driver confidence without sacrificing the classic Holden character.
Why Upgrade the EH Suspension?
Most EH Holdens are now over sixty years old.
Even low-kilometre examples commonly suffer from:
- Worn bushes
- Sagging springs
- Tired shock absorbers
- Steering wander
- Excessive body roll
- Poor braking stability
Many owners are surprised at how much better an EH drives after a complete suspension refresh.
In most cases, the biggest gains come from replacing worn factory components rather than extreme modifications.
Upgrade #1 – Replace Every Suspension Bush
If there’s one suspension upgrade every EH owner should prioritise, it’s replacing the suspension bushes.
The original rubber bushes deteriorate with age regardless of mileage.
Symptoms of Worn Bushes
- Clunking noises
- Wandering steering
- Uneven tyre wear
- Excessive body movement
- Poor road feel
Best Suspension Bush Upgrade
Recommended Product: Nolathane Complete Suspension Bush Kit
Benefits
- Sharper steering response
- Reduced suspension flex
- Improved cornering stability
- Longer service life than factory rubber
Best For
- Daily drivers
- Restorations
- Mild performance builds
For many EH owners, this upgrade alone transforms the vehicle.
Upgrade #2 – Modern Shock Absorbers
The original EH shock absorbers were designed for Australian roads in the early 1960s.
Modern shock technology offers substantial improvements.
Benefits
- Better ride control
- Reduced body roll
- Improved braking stability
- Increased driver confidence
Best Shock Upgrade
Recommended Product: KYB Excel-G Shock Absorbers
Why They’re Popular
- Excellent ride quality
- Reliable performance
- Affordable pricing
- Suitable for stock ride heights
Best For
- Street-driven Holdens
- Touring vehicles
- Restorations
Fresh shocks often deliver the most noticeable improvement per dollar spent.
Upgrade #3 – Heavy Duty Coil Springs
Original front springs often sag after decades of use.
Symptoms
- Nose-down stance
- Reduced suspension travel
- Bottoming out
- Poor cornering behaviour
Replacing worn springs restores the correct ride height and handling characteristics.
Best Front Spring Upgrade
Recommended Product: King Springs Heavy Duty Front Coils
Benefits
- Restores ride height
- Improved handling
- Better weight control
- Australian-made
Best For
- Street cars
- Red Motor upgrades
- Air-conditioned vehicles
King Springs remain one of the most respected names in Australian suspension.
Upgrade #4 – Rear Leaf Spring Upgrade
Many EH Holdens develop rear-end sag over time.
Common Problems
- Vehicle sits low at the rear
- Poor load carrying capacity
- Reduced ride quality
- Axle tramp during acceleration
Best Rear Suspension Upgrade
Recommended Product: Heavy Duty Leaf Spring Pack
Benefits
- Restores ride height
- Improved stability
- Better load carrying ability
- Reduced axle movement
Best For
- Touring vehicles
- Family cruisers
- Modified Holdens
Upgrade #5 – Front Sway Bar Upgrade
One of the biggest handling improvements available for an EH Holden is upgrading the sway bar.
Benefits
- Reduced body roll
- Improved cornering
- Better steering response
- Increased stability
Best For
- Spirited driving
- Highway cruising
- Modified vehicles
A larger sway bar makes an EH feel considerably more planted.
Recommended Product
Heavy Duty Front Sway Bar Kits
Best Upgrade Value
Many enthusiasts consider this one of the most effective handling upgrades available.
Upgrade #6 – Ball Joint Replacement
Ball joints are frequently overlooked during suspension restoration.
Symptoms of Worn Ball Joints
- Steering looseness
- Suspension noises
- Poor wheel alignment
- Tyre wear
Replacing worn ball joints improves steering precision significantly.
Best Ball Joint Kit
Recommended Product: Rare Spares Ball Joint Kit
Benefits
- Quality construction
- OE-style fitment
- Improved safety
Best For
- Suspension rebuilds
- Restorations
- Preventative maintenance
Upgrade #7 – Steering Idler Arm and Linkages
Many EH steering complaints originate from worn steering components rather than suspension itself.
Common Symptoms
- Excessive steering play
- Wandering on highways
- Poor cornering confidence
Recommended Upgrades
- New idler arm
- Tie rod ends
- Steering linkages
- Steering box adjustment
These upgrades complement suspension improvements perfectly.
Upgrade #8 – Wheel Alignment
One of the cheapest upgrades is also one of the most effective.
Benefits
- Improved tyre life
- Better steering feel
- Reduced wandering
- Improved fuel economy
Always perform an alignment after suspension work.
Best Upgrade for Modified EH Holdens
For owners running:
- 179 Red Motors
- Warm camshafts
- Disc brake conversions
- Larger wheels
A complete suspension package often provides the best results.
Recommended Combination
- Nolathane bushes
- KYB shocks
- King Springs
- Heavy-duty sway bar
- Fresh steering components
This combination delivers excellent street performance without compromising comfort.
Suspension Upgrades to Avoid
Not every modification improves an EH Holden.
Common Mistakes
Extremely Lowered Springs
Often worsen ride quality and suspension geometry.
Cheap Generic Shock Absorbers
Can perform worse than quality factory-style replacements.
Mixing Old and New Components
Creates inconsistent handling behaviour.
Ignoring Steering Components
Suspension upgrades cannot compensate for worn steering parts.
Best Upgrade Path for Most EH Owners
If you’re restoring or improving a street-driven EH Holden, the ideal upgrade order is:
- Replace all bushes
- Install new shock absorbers
- Replace sagging springs
- Rebuild steering components
- Upgrade sway bar
- Perform professional wheel alignment
This approach delivers the greatest improvement for the least cost.
Final Thoughts
The EH Holden remains one of Australia’s greatest classic cars, but even the best examples can benefit enormously from suspension upgrades. The key is not necessarily radical modification, but rather replacing worn components with quality modern equivalents.
Products such as Nolathane suspension bushes, KYB Excel-G shock absorbers, King Springs and upgraded sway bars can dramatically improve handling, ride quality and safety while preserving the character that makes the EH so enjoyable to drive.
Whether you’re building a show car, weekend cruiser or daily-driven classic, investing in the suspension is one of the smartest upgrades you can make. A properly sorted EH Holden doesn’t just look better—it feels better every time you get behind the wheel.
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