Comments on: Suspension behaviour, the VE Commodore and hybrids http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/ AutoSpeed's Blog. Opinion and Auto News Comment Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dominic Trim http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-93038 Dominic Trim Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:30:19 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-93038 I have now fixed my knock in the front, It was found to be the front swwaybar links. We removed both of them and took the car for a drive and there was no knock. We then replaced them with some Pedders Suspension ones and still no knock. I have now fixed my knock in the front, It was found to be the front swwaybar links. We removed both of them and took the car for a drive and there was no knock. We then replaced them with some Pedders Suspension ones and still no knock.

]]> By: Dominic Trim http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-93020 Dominic Trim Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:46:51 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-93020 I have an SV6 Wagon with the same problem. I work for a national car suspension company and we are trying to locate the problem at the moment. This is the second time I have tried to locate it. I have a lot of uprgraded suspension in the car so we are removing that and replacing with original to elimate them from the issue. We went over all the suspension and check to see if everything is tight and did not change the noise. I hope I can post the fix soon. I have an SV6 Wagon with the same problem. I work for a national car suspension company and we are trying to locate the problem at the moment. This is the second time I have tried to locate it. I have a lot of uprgraded suspension in the car so we are removing that and replacing with original to elimate them from the issue. We went over all the suspension and check to see if everything is tight and did not change the noise. I hope I can post the fix soon.

]]> By: Daniel http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-90035 Daniel Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:35:45 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-90035 I have a VE Calais that makes exactly the same noise, it only comes from what I think is right front suspension system, it sounds like something is moving. It mainly occurs in first 10 mins of driving. alot like yours, I think there should be a recall! as Dean said, Holden has spent 1 Billion dollars on this car. It should be perfect I have a VE Calais that makes exactly the same noise, it only comes from what I think is right front suspension system, it sounds like something is moving. It mainly occurs in first 10 mins of driving. alot like yours, I think there should be a recall! as Dean said, Holden has spent 1 Billion dollars on this car. It should be perfect

]]> By: Dean Wilson http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-73576 Dean Wilson Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:33:55 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-73576 recall! recall!

]]> By: George http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-59845 George Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:26:50 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-59845 Dean, I have exactly the same noise coming from my VE Clubsport, has the source of the noise been found ? Dealer can not find where the noise is coming from. Dean, I have exactly the same noise coming from my VE Clubsport, has the source of the noise been found ? Dealer can not find where the noise is coming from.

]]> By: Dean Wilson http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-52047 Dean Wilson Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:19:47 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-52047 Quite disturbing reading all these complaints when I got a much worse case with no help. I’ve recently purchased a brand new Sv6 feb 2008 atomic green from Holden Dealership for $41,900. My front right, as well as my front left now have a loud clunk as if there’s metal shifting out of place at any speed loud enough for people to turn around & look. As well of a sound of a metal rod vibrating (ruler on desk.) driving with the camber of the road sets it off as well as accelerating and braking I have taken it back to Holden on two occasions, first time they said it was only the sway bar bushes and there was the wrong size fitted. After getting it back there was still that ‘knock so I returned it for the second time to only hear it was the engine mounts this time and that the engine mounts get real loose as if there shifted. I was happy they have diagnosed the problem, but I received it back the second time, quiet for the first day and still have the clunk and the metal ruler sound. Sometimes really bad. There’s clearly something wrong with this car. Something is shifting and causing the engine mounts to shift. I Dont feel confident driving it. I am totally not satisfied with the vehicle and want something done about this. On two occasions I’ve heard off Holden that there’s been a lot of customers with same problem and there still trying to find out what it is . That was enough for me. Whats the story Holden? You spent over $1billion on the car and only for what? I’ve booked it In for another time, this time he wants to go for a drive to hear the noise only I bet it doesn’t happen and he will take me for a fool. This noise Comes about mostly first 10 mins of driving from cold car so I hope there’s something. H E L P! Any suggestions? Quite disturbing reading all these complaints when I got a much worse case with no help.
I’ve recently purchased a brand new Sv6 feb 2008 atomic green from Holden Dealership for $41,900.
My front right, as well as my front left now have a loud clunk as if there’s metal shifting out of place at any speed loud enough for people to turn around & look. As well of a sound of a metal rod vibrating (ruler on desk.) driving with the camber of the road sets it off as well as accelerating and braking
I have taken it back to Holden on two occasions, first time they said it was only the sway bar bushes and there was the wrong size fitted. After getting it back there was still that ‘knock so I returned it for the second time to only hear it was the engine mounts this time and that the engine mounts get real loose as if there shifted.
I was happy they have diagnosed the problem, but I received it back the second time, quiet for the first day and still have the clunk and the metal ruler sound. Sometimes really bad. There’s clearly something wrong with this car. Something is shifting and causing the engine mounts to shift. I Dont feel confident driving it.
I am totally not satisfied with the vehicle and want something done about this. On two occasions I’ve heard off Holden that there’s been a lot of customers with same problem and there still trying to find out what it is . That was enough for me. Whats the story Holden? You spent over $1billion on the car and only for what?
I’ve booked it In for another time, this time he wants to go for a drive to hear the noise only I bet it doesn’t happen and he will take me for a fool. This noise Comes about mostly first 10 mins of driving from cold car so I hope there’s something.
H E L P! Any suggestions?

]]> By: Michael Pollard http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-2400 Michael Pollard Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:25:52 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-2400 I am stunned at the comment that the VE's are huge. I am 6'4" tall and my two daughters are both 5'10" and still growing. My wife is 5'4" tall. The Holden was the only sedan under $60,000 that we could actually fit in. That is, all of the other vehicles, including the current Falcon, did not have enough room for my daughters to sit behind me when I drove. I am only pleased that I didn't have to face this with my father's situation of having a family of husband, wife, two sons and two daughters, as I haven't seen a sedan which seats 6 people in the under $60,000 range. And as for fitting in three males at 6'2", 6'3" and 6'4" - forget about it. Although we had several cars which fitted us all in when I was growing up, the current market has totally failed families which are larger or which include bigger men. That is, an increasing number of Australian families (at least so far as the size of the males is concerned). (And don't get me started about the midget shoes which are now made for Australain men!!) Well done Holden for a great product which is designed for the real Australian family. I am stunned at the comment that the VE’s are huge. I am 6’4″ tall and my two daughters are both 5’10″ and still growing. My wife is 5’4″ tall. The Holden was the only sedan under $60,000 that we could actually fit in. That is, all of the other vehicles, including the current Falcon, did not have enough room for my daughters to sit behind me when I drove. I am only pleased that I didn’t have to face this with my father’s situation of having a family of husband, wife, two sons and two daughters, as I haven’t seen a sedan which seats 6 people in the under $60,000 range. And as for fitting in three males at 6’2″, 6’3″ and 6’4″ – forget about it. Although we had several cars which fitted us all in when I was growing up, the current market has totally failed families which are larger or which include bigger men. That is, an increasing number of Australian families (at least so far as the size of the males is concerned). (And don’t get me started about the midget shoes which are now made for Australain men!!)
Well done Holden for a great product which is designed for the real Australian family.

]]> By: FanTheFlames http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-23 FanTheFlames Sun, 29 Jul 2007 14:36:35 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-23 You claim 'Sure, you can say how lucky we are in Australia having such cars available for comparatively tiny money'. The only reason the large cars are so cheap here is because of protectionism, ie the 10% tariff and other taxes such as luxury car tax. If the car market was a level playing field i think you would find much of the imported cars becoming cheaper and would be questioning the value of our local cars. We seriously pay too much for the equivalent cars compared to what the rest of the world pays and that gives one the illusion that our cars are superior in value. To add further insult,there is clear example of price gouging in the Australian Car market as our locally manufactured cars are exported to the U.S and available cheaper there! Take the new Pontiac G8 which is our VE SS here, goes halfway across the world and still ends up being cheaper than what we pay at a Holden dealer up the road from the factory Elizabeth in South Australia. You claim ‘Sure, you can say how lucky we are in Australia having such cars available for comparatively tiny money’. The only reason the large cars are so cheap here is because of protectionism, ie the 10% tariff and other taxes such as luxury car tax. If the car market was a level playing field i think you would find much of the imported cars becoming cheaper and would be questioning the value of our local cars. We seriously pay too much for the equivalent cars compared to what the rest of the world pays and that gives one the illusion that our cars are superior in value.

To add further insult,there is clear example of price gouging in the Australian Car market as our locally manufactured cars are exported to the U.S and available cheaper there! Take the new Pontiac G8 which is our VE SS here, goes halfway across the world and still ends up being cheaper than what we pay at a Holden dealer up the road from the factory Elizabeth in South Australia.

]]> By: Evan Smith http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Evan Smith Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:28:15 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-20 "It’s almost funny seeing companies like BMW, DaimlerChrysler and Bosch desperately trying to climb onto the hybrid bandwagon. After years of sneering, belittling and castigating, they have suddenly realised with a Godawful shock that they are literally a decade behind Toyota." It's hardly a desparate climb into the bandwagon. BMW and GM have been working together for some years now on a north-south configured hybrid. Unlike the Prius setup, which is, funnily enough limited only to the Prius (if they were really that great, or well engineered for that matter, Toyota would be putting them into everything they could), the GM/BMW hybrid works off any north-south engine (just required the right adapter) as the electric motor is in the gearbox itself. Not only that, but Holden announced in the launch of the VE that the VE has been designed to accomodate this techology for future use. As well as AWD. As well as diesel. So, in the future it's quite possible that Holden will bring out the world's only diesel hybrid AWD sedan, or maby a 6L V8 hybrid for all we know. The fact of the matter is, Toyota's Prius is ridiculously limited. Fair call, they were the ones that made the big leap first, but everyone else is, and is going to, do it a lot better, and in a lot more cars than just the one model. “It’s almost funny seeing companies like BMW, DaimlerChrysler and Bosch desperately trying to climb onto the hybrid bandwagon. After years of sneering, belittling and castigating, they have suddenly realised with a Godawful shock that they are literally a decade behind Toyota.”

It’s hardly a desparate climb into the bandwagon. BMW and GM have been working together for some years now on a north-south configured hybrid. Unlike the Prius setup, which is, funnily enough limited only to the Prius (if they were really that great, or well engineered for that matter, Toyota would be putting them into everything they could), the GM/BMW hybrid works off any north-south engine (just required the right adapter) as the electric motor is in the gearbox itself. Not only that, but Holden announced in the launch of the VE that the VE has been designed to accomodate this techology for future use. As well as AWD. As well as diesel. So, in the future it’s quite possible that Holden will bring out the world’s only diesel hybrid AWD sedan, or maby a 6L V8 hybrid for all we know. The fact of the matter is, Toyota’s Prius is ridiculously limited. Fair call, they were the ones that made the big leap first, but everyone else is, and is going to, do it a lot better, and in a lot more cars than just the one model.

]]> By: Grant McAuliffe http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Grant McAuliffe Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:36:12 +0000 http://blog.autospeed.com/2007/07/14/suspension-behaviour-the-ve-commodore-and-hybrids/#comment-12 Not enough of a niche to add up to an export lifeline? The biggest export success of the Holden line up is the Statesman, which is also the biggest. Need we mention that the heart of the Commodore (the engine) is also exported for use in Saabs, Alfas etc etc. Or that the platform (ie exporting of our Engineering expertise) will sit under the next Camaro. Do you really think small cars (which cost just as much to Engineer as large cars) and hybrids are the solution to the Australian Manufacturing Industry? I would have thought that fundamental to the survivial of the industry is the ability to turn a profit - something which is much easier to do on large cars than small. And lets not mention Hybrids - do you seriously think Toyota makes a profit on the Prius? Not enough of a niche to add up to an export lifeline? The biggest export success of the Holden line up is the Statesman, which is also the biggest. Need we mention that the heart of the Commodore (the engine) is also exported for use in Saabs, Alfas etc etc. Or that the platform (ie exporting of our Engineering expertise) will sit under the next Camaro.

Do you really think small cars (which cost just as much to Engineer as large cars) and hybrids are the solution to the Australian Manufacturing Industry? I would have thought that fundamental to the survivial of the industry is the ability to turn a profit – something which is much easier to do on large cars than small. And lets not mention Hybrids – do you seriously think Toyota makes a profit on the Prius?

]]>