Everything You Need to Know About Leaf Springs

When it comes to leaf springs, there can be an array of questions that come to mind. We’ve compiled a list of our frequently asked leaf spring questions, if there is something you’re wanting to know about leaf springs continue reading below.

If you have a question and can’t find the answer below, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly team members today!

Question One: What Is A Leaf Spring Used For?

The overall purpose of a leaf spring is to provide support for a vehicle. It also provides for a smoother ride absorbing any bumps or potholes in the road. Leaf springs are also used to locate the axle and control the height at which the vehicle rides and helps keep the tires aligned on the road.

Because of its benefits, leaf springs are in high demand. Casual transportation is just one of the ways leaf springs have contributed to our transportation industry. These days, leaf springs are more popular with heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, SUVs, and vans.

Question Two: Are Leaf Springs Used in Industrial Equipment?

Without the use of leaf springs, construction vehicles would not be able to tote heavy loads. It is important for construction vehicles to be able to carry heavy items like brick, stone, concrete and other massive materials. It really doesn’t matter how large a vehicle is, if it isn’t designed to support overbearing loads, it will not carry out its duty, resulting in breakdowns and unnecessary costs.

In addition to transporting construction items, leaf springs are also beneficial to areas that tend to receive high amounts of snow. Ploughing high volumes of snow can get heavy once it freezes. Having your trucks equipped with heavy duty leaf springs will alleviate any unnecessary stress, making it last through the winter.

Question Three: Are They the Best Type of Springs?

With so much power, and having made just an impact on history and high duty vehicles, these springs must have some sort of power or magical properties, right? Yes, they do. At least when it comes to the comparison of a coiled spring. Our preferred types of springs have many mounting points, allowing the suspension to distribute the load across more areas of the vehicle chassis. Unlike a coil spring, where all the focus is on one single point. In terms of weighing up the pros and cons, of course leaf springs come up tops. And this is no surprise as they have so many benefits for vehicles that rely heavily on carrying large loads.

The winning springs are also great for maintaining the position of the rear axle, and this helps to simplify the suspension system. This will help with both driving down both the weight and costs of the spring. Offering a much more studier solution than a coil spring, leaf springs reinforce the use required in vehicles which are based around utility.

Question Five: How Do I Correctly Measure my Leaf Springs?

The job of a leaf spring is to keep the tires rounded and the body evenly horizontal along any type of terrain. However sooner or later the leaf springs will wear out, as you set out to look for replacement leaf springs, its best to know how to measure the length so you can better identify the needs of your vehicle.

If this is the first time you are replacing your leaf springs it may be tough to determine which size, you need. The easiest way to determine this is to already measure the leaf springs currently on your vehicle – it is peril that before you measure you understand the shape and structure of leaf springs.

The Springs

The springs are the metal strips which serve as the operative pieces of the whole component. The springs form an inverted arch when stacked together in a pyramid like shape held in place by a centre bolt. Some of the top springs are commonly known as an ‘eye’ this is when the ends curl up, forming enclosed circles. Leaf springs usually consist of three, four or five leaf springs but can usually go higher depending on the capacity needed.

The Bottom Spring

Below the arched set stack of springs, is a horizontal strip known as the bottom spring – this can be easily identified as it is usually a shorter, thicker flat leaf that serves as a rebound spring for the other springs. It is also known as the overload spring, or a rebound spring seen as though it doesn’t add much gravity to the absorption.

The Centre Bolt

At the centre of the spring is a vertical bolt which holds everything together, although the bolt is usually located directly in the centre, some springs can measure longer more on one side than the other. The bolt is used at the starting point for measuring, however, it is important to measure each side separately as the bolt is not always central.

The End Tips

As previously mentioned the end tips are also known as the ‘eye’ due to their enclosed curled shape, however, some leaf springs the end comes to an end with no curl – these are known as slipper springs. It is possible that some sets do have both ends such as an eye at the front tip and a slipper at the back.