Parts for your 2013 Holden Commodore-Control arms

2013 Holden Commodore control-arms

Control-arms are absolutely fitted to the 2013 Holden Commodore. Holden/GM workshop information (GM Global Service Information for VE Series II and early VF) details a front MacPherson strut layout with a lower control-arm carrying the ball joint and a large hydro-bush. The independent rear suspension is a multi-link design incorporating upper and lower control-arms and toe links. Genuine Holden/ACDelco parts catalogues also list complete front lower control-arm assemblies and rear control-arms for 2013 Commodore variants, confirming their use.

On a 2013 Commodore, the control-arms do the heavy lifting in locating the wheels while allowing smooth up-and-down suspension travel. They set and hold critical alignment angles (caster and camber up front, camber and toe influence at the rear), keep the tyres planted, and isolate road harshness through their rubber or hydro-filled bushes. The ball joints at the arm ends let the hubs pivot and move without binding, which keeps steering feel precise and braking stable.

As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to give the control-arms, bushes and ball joints a close look every 20,000 km or annually. Any play, torn dust boots, seepage from hydro-bushes, or cracked rubber is a cue to plan replacement. Many Commodores develop tell-tales as the bushes age.

• Common signs: clunks over bumps, vague steering, front-end shimmy under braking, uneven tyre wear on edges, or the car wandering on the motorway.
• Workshop tips: replace arms or bushes in axle pairs for even behaviour, always perform a wheel alignment afterwards, and final-tighten arm bolts at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes.

Quality matters here. Genuine or reputable aftermarket arms with OE-style hydro-bushes tend to ride quieter and last longer than hard compounds. If just doing bushes, press them with the correct tools and orientation marks as per the factory manual—misaligned bushes can skew alignment and cause rapid tyre wear. Ball joints with split boots or any free play should be replaced immediately, leaving them can escalate to steering shake and compromised braking. With fresh control-arms and a proper alignment, a 2013 Commodore will steer straight, wear tyres evenly, and feel tight over Aussie and Kiwi roads.

Popular questions

How long do 2013 Commodore control-arm bushes typically last?
In typical Aussie and NZ conditions, many see 80,000–150,000 km depending on driving, road quality and tyre setup. Lowered cars or vehicles that tow and carry loads may see earlier wear. Regular inspections catch issues before they chew out tyres.

Do control-arms need to be replaced in pairs and will it need an alignment?
Yes—replace left and right on the same axle together for consistent handling and braking. A full wheel alignment is essential after any arm, bush or ball joint work to restore correct camber, caster and toe.

Can worn control-arm bushes cause brake shudder or uneven tyre wear?
They can. Excess movement in the arm lets the wheel shift under braking, which shows up as shudder or pull. It also upsets alignment, so tyres scrub on the edges or wear in patches. New bushes and a proper alignment usually sort it.