Parts for your 2000 Holden Commodore-Struts

2000 Holden Commodore struts — what they do and when to service them

Struts are absolutely relevant on a 2000 Holden Commodore. Technical literature for the VT Series II and early VX (the 2000 model year falls into these) specifies a MacPherson strut front suspension. The factory Holden VT/VX Service Manual outlines a front MacPherson strut with a lower control arm and coil spring over the strut cartridge. Aftermarket catalogues and workshop guides back this up, including the Gregory’s/Autodata VT–VX manual and major supplier fitment guides that list complete front strut assemblies and mounts for VT/VX. At the rear, the Commodore uses either IRS with separate shock and spring, or a live axle with separate shock and spring — not rear struts.

On the front of a 2000 Commodore, the strut carries the damper and the spring, locates the wheel, and ties into the steering geometry. That’s why a tired strut doesn’t just make the ride a bit rough — it can affect braking stability, steering feel, and tyre wear. Over time, internal valving wears, seals weep, and top mounts can crack, leading to clunks, tramlining, brake dive, and uneven tyre shoulders.

For everyday Aussie and Kiwi driving, most owners find front struts last somewhere around 80,000–150,000 km, but it really depends on roads, loads, and driving style. If there’s oil misting on the strut body, a hollow knock over bumps, or the nose bounces more than once after pushing down on the guard, it’s time to plan a change. Uneven tyre wear and longer stopping distances are other red flags.

Best practice on a 2000 Commodore is to replace struts in pairs, and assess the top mounts, bearings, bump stops, and dust boots at the same time — they’re inexpensive and save doing the job twice. A quality spring compressor is essential if transferring coils. After any strut work, a proper wheel alignment is non‑negotiable, camber and toe will shift when the strut comes out, and VT/VX cars are sensitive to that. If camber is out of range, a camber kit may be needed. Torque everything to spec at ride height to avoid bushing preload, and recheck fasteners after a short shakedown. Keeping the front struts in good nick protects tyres, sharpens steering, and keeps the Commodore feeling planted on coarse‑chip country roads and in city traffic alike.

• Signs they’re due: oil weep, knocking, excessive bounce, brake dive, tramlining, cupped or shoulder‑worn tyres.
• Service tips: replace in pairs, inspect mounts/bearings, use a spring compressor, finish with a wheel alignment.

Sources referenced: Holden VT/VX Service Manual (Front Suspension section), Gregory’s/Autodata Holden Commodore VT–VX Workshop Manual, and major aftermarket fitment catalogues that list front MacPherson struts for VT/VX models.

Popular questions

Does a 2000 Commodore have struts front and rear?
The 2000 model uses MacPherson struts at the front. The rear uses separate shocks and springs, whether it’s IRS or live axle, so there are no rear struts on this model. That’s why most “strut” conversations on a VT/VX focus on the front end only.

How often should front struts be replaced on a 2000 Commodore?
There’s no fixed interval, but many see 80,000–150,000 km as a rough window. Go by condition: leaks, knocking, poor control over bumps, or uneven tyre wear are clear prompts. High‑kilometre highway cars may last longer, rough roads and heavy loads shorten life.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing front struts?
Yes. Removing and refitting a strut changes camber and toe on VT/VX cars. Always book an alignment after the job. If camber can’t be dialled in, a camber correction kit may be required.