Leaf springs, a holdover from the days of the horse and carriage, are a critical part of some heavy-duty vehicle suspension systems.
While function hasn’t changed, composition has. Today’s leaf springs are made from steel or metal composites that usually provide trouble-free performance, says Dave McCleave, director of aftermarket for Hendrickson. Because they’re not as prone to issues as other parts, they may often be overlooked during vehicle inspections.
You may need to give your leaf springs a once-over if you notice your load sagging, says Reyco Granning junior project engineer Chris Gumbel. Other signs that it’s time to check your leaf springs include sagging without a load, trouble hauling, the suspension bottoming out, slouching to one side and diminished handling.
For steel leaf springs, McCleave says to check the individual leaves for any signs they are out of position. You should also look for cracks or fractures, excessive wear or fretting and for sagging or bent leaves.
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