Replacing Suspension Parts On 2001 Commodore VX

outlander on 28/02/2017 - 15:09
Last edited 28/02/2017 - 15:52 by 1 other user

Hi everybody

I'm doing some work on my car, and I'm up to the shock absorbers. Fairly expensive at $300 for the whole car, but when people ride in it they keep commenting on how rough it is. I've never driven a car with working suspension, so it doesn't bother me, but I wouldn't mind trying it out to see how it feels.

But as it often goes, now I'm looking at it I see all the other stuff that should be replaced - control arm bushes, strut mounts etc. Looking at ebay, I can replace them all, but at no small cost - $500 for the whole car! Just pieces of plastic but end up being more than the shocks.

Is there anything I should know before going forward? Is ebay the best place for these parts?

I've been looking at Nolathene mostly. My car is a 2001 Commodore VX, so at 15yr old and 200k its probably due for an upgrade

Automotive

Comments

  • blonky on 28/02/2017 - 15:27
    +1

    Isn't nolathene quite rigid? So your ride will still be bumpy but will at least handle better in the corners

    Your struts would make the biggest difference; at 200k they will likely be dead and you will pretty much be riding on the springs and bump stops

    • outlander on 28/02/2017 - 15:37

      That's what I've heard, but I'm curious how much a difference it really makes. Would be funny if it balanced out the improvement from the struts, and I ended up in the same position only $800 down

      • blonky on 28/02/2017 - 15:51
        +1

        That's what I'd be afraid of too, personally I wouldn't go for nolathene unless the car was heading for the track.
        Also, what wheels/tyres do you have? Low profile tyres ride harder too.

      • airzone on 28/02/2017 - 16:14

        Go test drive a new car. Easy way to try out a car for free lol

  • shadowarrior on 28/02/2017 - 15:41
    +1

    Poly bushes will make your car rigid but tighter….you will hear about EVERYTHING that rattles.
    If its a daily drive commy, you don't need to change all bushes. However, changing over bushes which are split will improve handling. Things like trailing arm bush, control arm bush, swing arm bush, front and rear drop links etc.

    However, you don't need to change ANY of these if you just want to get some decent shocks. Are your shocks gone though? Get KYB or Monroe gas shocks with King springs maybe. Don't get coilovers. If you want to spoil yourself, get progressive shocks.

    I buy most of my car parts from ebay, local shops within AU with EBAY store pages get me best prices.

    Recently I changed ALL the suspension parts and bushes of my FTO…which is not a daily driver. Its my fun car…and it has coilovers, extractors, shaved heads bla bla… point is… the car is made for a purpose..and that purpose is not comfort. My daily drivers are set up for comfort :)

    • outlander on 28/02/2017 - 16:08

      Haha I get ya. I guess I could go rubber for some/all of the parts. Any particular brands to get/stay away from? I see Mackay sells a cheap strut mount at SCA, 2/3rds the price of the nolathane ones.

      The springs I wasn't going to look at because they seem fine, and I do not have the money to go down the whole lowered-suspension lowrider gangster thingy lol

      • shadowarrior on 28/02/2017 - 16:21
        +1

        Those strut mounts will be fine, pretty much any aftermarket brand which sells those rubber mounts, you will be safe. Make sure they fit (aka manufactured to spec). Buying them from SCA gives you the option to return back to them incase they don't fit. I think KYB ones come in a kit with those rubber strut mounts. I could be wrong. Nolathanes will be all poly bushes etc, will make it stiff, and expensive. Also you need poly grease to mount them, normal petroleum greases eat through poly bushes..and that adds to another expense. :)

        Don't change the height of the springs, keep them same but again..if your springs are fine you don't need to change them :)

    • tunzafun001 on 28/02/2017 - 18:27

      Looking from the front of a commodore, what do you call the 2 large round circle mounts. One of mine the rubber inside is completely shot, so the front wheel alignment is out on one side. Not sure what it's called, so not able to look up the process to replace it.

      • shadowarrior on 28/02/2017 - 19:56

        Take a picture and post here.

        • tunzafun001 on 01/03/2017 - 23:05

          Outlander has it below. Cheers anyway.

      • captobvious on 28/02/2017 - 22:24

        does it have 3 bolts going through it? if so its just your strut top mounts
        The rubber is maybe a dust shield or a vibration dampener.

      • outlander on 28/02/2017 - 22:53

        You talking about the strut rod chassis bushing?
        https://www.google.com.au/search?q=chassis+bushing+natholene…

        • tunzafun001 on 01/03/2017 - 23:05

          Yeah you got it (the red nolathane in this pic). Much effort to replace?

        • outlander on 01/03/2017 - 23:18

          @tunzafun001:

          I'll let you know once I get to it. So far it seems like trying to get the parts at a good enough price is harder than any work that might need to be done! Far out

        • tunzafun001 on 01/03/2017 - 23:33

          @outlander: I thought commodore parts are as cheap as they get?

        • outlander on 01/03/2017 - 23:59

          @tunzafun001:
          I am a cheapskate, and it annoys me to know end to pay hundreds of dollars for small bits of rubber!

  • Euphemistic on 28/02/2017 - 16:45
    +1

    Is it worth slinging a few $ at a suspension professional to get a proper inspection and recommendation as to what NEEDs upgrading and what is not essential? They should be able to tailor the response to your desired driving style too better than any internet forum (except maybe a commode forum) Don't use the Pedders cheap safety check, you'll end up with a list as long as your arm.

  • bobbified on 28/02/2017 - 19:20

    …when people ride in it they keep commenting on how rough it is. I've never driven a car with working suspension

    If your shock absorbers are worn, I'd suggest you replace those as a priority for safety reasons before you do anything else.

    They help your tyres maintain contact with the road over bumpy surfaces. There's no point having a nice looking car if it's not safe to be in there.

  • JIMB0 on 28/02/2017 - 22:20
    +1

    I'd personally be looking to replace the whole car at that age rather than spend a large sum of money on it. But if you get a good suspenson place to check the car out and replace only the worst components/bushes I'd go with Superpro bushes as they are soft like the original rubber ones.

    • outlander on 28/02/2017 - 22:46

      I just bought this car 3 months ago :(

      • ShannonN on 03/03/2017 - 21:20

        If the suspension is shagged how did it pass a roadworthy 3 mths ago?

        • outlander on 03/03/2017 - 21:37

          The people selling it were the same ones who wrote out the roadworthy :S

        • ShannonN on 05/03/2017 - 18:13

          @outlander:

          Then take car and rw cert to DMR and say this RW is BS and get them fined

  • captobvious on 28/02/2017 - 22:23
    +1

    if your shocks are gone your car will be springy when ever you go over a bump.

    if your springs are gone your car will sag and feel quite rough.

    If your tyres are pumped up too much or your tyres have gone hard it will feel rough too.

    The cost to fix a commodores suspension is cheap. Commodores everywhere, walk into the bush and find a commodore with the parts you need.

    • outlander on 28/02/2017 - 22:59
      +1

      Yeah. The front ones I don't notice too much, but the back ones cause the towbar to scrape the road when reversing down a steep driveway too fast. Sets me on edge when it happens.

      I don't know if I want to be ferreting around in the bush, trying blindly to find the things that I need.
      That sort of thing has got me in trouble in the past :/

      • Monad on 02/03/2017 - 19:33
        +1

        It could be that the springs have been cut as a cheap way of lowering the suspension if the towbar is scraping the road on a steep driveway. It could explain the rough ride too.

  • m0tyrider on 08/03/2017 - 00:27
    +1

    "I've never driven a car with working suspension" SMH. Fix your suspension, its a RWC issue and effects how safe the car is. Specifically braking and cornering.

    If you needed to stop in a emergency your braking and car control will be severely impacted.

    Not to mention if you were involved in a accident your insurance may even void your claim due to a unroadworthy vehicle.

    Get your car up to scratch or get off the road before you kill someone.

    • outlander on 11/03/2017 - 16:38
      -1

      Nah mate, it's okay. My driving skills are better than other people, so I can handle it.

  • doctordv8 on 11/03/2017 - 13:55

    I do not mean to be rude, or condescending and I maybe be reading too much into it, but if your statements show your true knowledge and expertise on motor vehicles and mechanical components in general, as well as a disregard for on road safety in reading between the lines, I think it is time you let the professionals look at and repair your vehicle.

    As I was told before I gained real qualifications and experience - you know enough to be dangerous.

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