Falcon (XK-XP)

1960-1966 / Sedan / Convertible / Estate / Australia

All Falcon (XK-XP) problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension

Ball Joint Wear

Symptoms

Clunking from the front end over bumps. Vague steering. Uneven front tyre wear.

Cause

The upper and lower ball joints in the front suspension wear over time, developing play. Australian roads accelerate this wear. Unlike the earlier Holdens that used king pins, the Falcon's ball joints are more modern but still wear predictably.

Fix

Replace the worn ball joints.

Ball joint kits are available from Falcon specialists and US suppliers.

Budget $200-400 per side for parts.

This is a job that requires a spring compressor or a press, not a casual backyard task.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $200-400 per side

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// More Falcon (XK-XP) problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension

Sagging Rear Leaf Springs

The rear of the car sits lower than it should. Bottoming out over bumps. The rear end wallows and bounces.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Floor Pan Corrosion

Visible rust perforation on the underside of the floor. Soft, spongy metal when prodded. In severe cases, daylight visible through the cabin floor.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Sill (Rocker Panel) Rot

Bubbling paint along the lower body sides, soft metal when prodded, visible perforation.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Boot Floor and Spare Tyre Well

Rust in the boot floor, water pooling in the spare tyre well, perforation around the tail-light mounting points.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Lower Quarter Panels

Bubbling, blistering, or perforation on the lower rear quarter panels behind the rear wheels.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Cooling System Inadequacy

Temperature gauge climbs in slow traffic, on hot days, or when towing. The engine may boil over, pushing coolant out of the overflow.

View all 18 Falcon (XK-XP) problems