Commodore (VB-VL)

1978-1988 / Sedan / Estate / Australia

All Commodore (VB-VL) problems All workshop issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Front Suspension Wear (All Models)

Symptoms

Clunking over bumps, vague steering, wandering on the highway, uneven tyre wear.

Cause

The Opel-derived front suspension uses ball joints, tie rod ends, and control arm bushings that wear out. These components were designed for German roads, not Australian conditions. Corrugated dirt roads, potholes, and speed bumps accelerate wear significantly.

Fix

Replace ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, and sway bar links.

Do it all at once, the labour overlaps, and replacing one component at a time is a waste of money.

Budget $500-1,000 for parts.

Pedders, Nolathane, and SuperPro all make quality replacement components.

Polyurethane bushings (Nolathane, SuperPro) last longer than rubber but transmit more NVH.

Cost mentioned in fix

Budget $500-1,000 for parts

Know something we don't?

Owned a Holden Commodore (VB-VL)? Share your experience with this issue. What worked, what didn't, costs, tips. Help the community.

Submit an update

// More Commodore (VB-VL) problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension and Steering

Power Steering Rack Leak

Power steering fluid on the ground, heavy steering at low speeds, whining noise from the power steering pump.

Common Suspension and Steering

Rear Axle Bearing Noise

Humming or whining noise from the rear that changes with speed but not with steering input. May also develop a clunk on deceleration.

Minor Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Worn Valve Stem Seals

Blue smoke on startup that clears after 30 seconds to a minute. May also smoke briefly on deceleration after sustained highway driving.

Common Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Carburettor Issues (VB-VH)

Hard starting, rough idle, flat spots on acceleration, flooding, poor fuel economy, black smoke.

Critical Engine, Holden Six (3.3L / 202ci)

Oil Leaks (All Holden Six and V8)

Oil on the garage floor, oil smell, oil coating on the underside of the engine.

Critical Engine, Holden V8 (253/308)

Overheating in Traffic

Temperature gauge climbs into the red zone in slow traffic or on hot days. May push coolant out the overflow.

View all 21 Commodore (VB-VL) problems