Mk7 Transit Leaf Spring Replacement? The 165 New Answer

Can I drive with a broken leaf spring?

Technically you can drive a truck with a broken leaf spring, but that doesn’t mean you should. You can drive your truck a short distance, preferably to a location where you can troubleshoot the problem. Driving a truck with a broken center blade could render your vehicle unstable, but not too dangerous provided you limit your driving to the nearest, safest locations.

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What causes a leaf spring to break?

Leaf springs are prone to damage due to the number of moving parts they have, as well as the wear and tear they experience throughout their life. If you’ve found that one of your leaf springs has broken, you may be asking yourself, “How long can I ride with a broken leaf spring?” The answer is that you should not drive the vehicle until you fix the problem.

However, you may be able to drive the vehicle briefly under the following conditions as long as the brake is not on the upper blade, which attaches the spring to the frame and thus plays a more important role in your truck’s suspension system.

Short distances: You can cover short distances with your truck if one of the springs is broken. For example, you could be driving down your apartment block at 15 mph, or down a dirt road on a farm or private property. You can drive slowly for about a minute in areas with little or no traffic.

If one of the springs is broken, you can cover short distances with your truck. For example, you could be driving down your apartment block at 15 mph, or down a dirt road on a farm or private property. You can drive slowly for about a minute in areas with little or no traffic. Emergency trips: If one of the springs breaks, you can drive your truck to the nearest auto repair shop from wherever you discover the problem. If you spot the problem in a grocery store parking lot or when you pull up on a city boulevard, you might be lucky if there’s a car dealership within a few blocks.

If one of the springs breaks, you can drive your truck to the nearest auto repair shop from anywhere you spot the problem. If you spot the problem in a grocery store parking lot or when you pull up on a city boulevard, you might be lucky if there’s a car dealership within a few blocks. Flat, Familiar Roads: Once you spot a broken spring, you can probably drive your truck home when the terrain is perfectly flat and smooth. You may be able to drive the truck a longer distance, especially if you drive slowly and the road between where you found it and your intended destination is mostly clear of other motorists. For example, if you discover a broken leaf spring five miles from your home on a quiet county road, you may be able to get your vehicle back to your house without a tow truck if you drive straight home at a slow pace.

Once you spot a broken spring, you can probably drive your truck home when the terrain is perfectly flat and smooth. You may be able to drive the truck a longer distance, especially if you drive slowly and the road between where you found it and your intended destination is mostly clear of other motorists. For example, if you discover a broken leaf spring five miles from your home on a quiet county road, you may be able to get your vehicle back to your house without a tow truck if you drive straight home at a slow pace. On your property: You could drive the truck a short distance on your property once or twice. For example, if you need to haul a load of heavy equipment from your home to a barn about 50 feet away, a truck with a broken leaf spring may be taking you that distance. At least you don’t have to worry about a car breaking down in the middle of nowhere.

If all of these examples don’t seem convincing, the message should be clear – it’s bad driving with a broken leaf spring unless you absolutely have to, and only for a short, short distance. Overall, if you have a broken spring, you should only drive to a safe place where you can park the vehicle and order a new leaf spring.

Dangers of driving with broken leaf springs

There are numerous hazards associated with damaged leaf springs. A pickup truck needs optimal suspension to drive straight when fully loaded and to maintain balance on varied terrain. With just a single broken leaf, your vehicle could endure a weight imbalance around a turn, and that extra stress could quickly impact the strength of the entire suspension system. The potential problems of a broken leaf spring range from damaged axles and worn out deflated tires to a loss of vehicle balance. At worst, a broken leaf spring can turn your truck into a roadside hazard.

Failed Rear Suspension: Driving with a broken leaf spring bracket will inevitably put excessive weight and pressure on the vehicle’s rear suspension system. This situation essentially makes the vehicle a three-legged chair, shifting the burden of balance to the other corners of the truck. Without a functioning suspension system, every part of the truck underneath is subject to greater stress and can only perform its function to a limited extent. The longer you allow this condition to persist, the more expensive repairs and maintenance become.

Rear Tire and Axle Damage: When driving with a broken leaf spring, the most affected parts of your truck are the rear tires and axles. The whole purpose of your rear suspension is to manage the weight balance that would otherwise cause your vehicle to drag backwards. Without a working suspension, the rear weight of the vehicle could push down on the axles and cause your truck to be misaligned. Worse still, the rear bumper could drag across the pavement when driving on streets and highways. In the worst case, a bump in the road could result in the broken spring slipping off the bracket and the mudguard falling onto the tire, making the vehicle virtually impossible to drive.

Loss of Vehicle Balance: When your truck’s suspension system becomes compromised, the vehicle itself becomes more difficult to steer, turn and control with precision. With a broken leaf, the spring on the affected side becomes less strong and less stable than its counterpart on the other side of the vehicle. Consequently, while driving, the truck tends to slide on the affected side, especially when driving with a heavy load. This weight imbalance can make it incredibly difficult to drive your truck straight on any given route. The situation is most dangerous when attempting to turn the vehicle, especially on tight turns.

Raised headlights: A broken leaf spring and the effects it could have on your truck can endanger other motorists. As you drive through city streets and boulevards, your truck’s lurching and swerving will no doubt worry other drivers. When your truck pitches down at the back, the front lifts up, letting your headlights shine beyond their intended target. They could expose oncoming motorists to temporary light blindness, rendering them unable to steer their vehicles properly.

Accidents: The most important consequence of a leaf spring fracture is the increased probability of accidents on the road. If you can’t control your vehicle properly, you won’t be able to stop in a second or get to safety in the midst of an oncoming hazard. Given the truck’s impaired turning ability, you could easily hit a curb while making sharp turns. This could be particularly dangerous in corners where there are trees, light poles, or fire hydrants.

Solutions for adding a new leaf spring

If you notice problems with your truck’s rear suspension, perform an underside inspection for wear, cracks, and damage along both leaf springs. With a flashlight in hand, take a close look at each of the springs. Notice any cracks or chips in any of the sheets? These will inevitably be a source of problems in your vehicle’s balance. Do you also notice corrosion along the leaf springs? If the leaves are badly corroded, the springs can become dull and inflexible. Depending on the amount of wear or damage, you may need to replace one blade, two blades, one spring, or both springs.

Add a Single Leaf: If one of your leaf springs has a single broken leaf, you can salvage the spring by replacing the leaf. Once you have this new blade installed you may be surprised at the improved performance of your truck. You can also salvage a leaf spring with two broken leaves by replacing those leaves with new ones. If you discover broken leaves in both springs, it’s up to you whether to replace the leaves or buy new leaf springs for your truck.

Replace a leaf spring: When you discover a broken leaf spring, you may find that the opposite end of your vehicle’s underside does not reflect your problems. You may have a problem if one feather has multiple broken leaves while the other is firmly intact. A problem like this can be quite noticeable if your truck sags on the affected side while driving with a loaded back. It can also happen that the affected source is severely corroded by disproportionate loads from rock salt and rainwater along the roadways. In any case, you may need to replace the leaf spring.

Replace Both Leaf Springs: If you examine your leaf springs for cracks, corrosion and general wear and tear, you may find that both springs have served their purpose. At this point you will need to replace your leaf springs. You may have made this discovery during a routine inspection of the underside of your vehicle, in which case you may not have noticed your vehicle’s gradual deterioration in performance. Alternatively, you may notice a severe drop in truck performance and perform an emergency underside inspection only to discover advanced spring wear. In any case, you might be pleasantly surprised at the vastly improved performance of your truck when you install a new pair of rear leaf springs.

Buy Larger Leaf Springs: When buying new leaf springs for your pickup truck, you may be opting for a thicker, sturdier pair of springs. If you place larger leaf springs under your truck, strengthening your rear suspension could take the overall driving experience to the next level of comfort and driving performance. Driving with a full load raises the rear of your vehicle even more cushioned, giving you a smoother driving experience on gravel terrain.

Benefits of adding new leaf springs

One of the best ways to upgrade a truck is with a new and improved suspension system. When you trade in an old or broken pair of leaf springs for a new and potentially larger set, you will immediately notice an improvement in your truck’s driving performance. As you drive around in the vehicle, the cab feels higher, more comfortable and more subdued as you drive your usual routes. Note the following benefits of new leaf springs:

Improved Rear Suspension – With a new set of leaf springs, your truck will have improved lift and will run smoother with a full payload. Regardless of the types of terrain on your typical routes, your truck will handle the bumps in the road and absorb the dullest of impacts. Inside the vehicle’s cabin, you and your passengers can ride in comfort, without the shock and shock that often accompanies driving on gravel, cobblestone and off-road roads.

With a new set of leaf springs, your truck will have improved lift and will run smoother with a full payload. Regardless of the types of terrain on your typical routes, your truck will handle the bumps in the road and absorb the dullest of impacts. Inside the vehicle’s cabin, you and your passengers can ride in comfort, without the shock and shock that often accompanies driving on gravel, cobblestone and off-road roads. Smoother Ride – With the upgraded rear suspension, the weight of your vehicle becomes more bearable for your rear bottom. When you’re riding with a full load and driving through rough terrain, the bumps are less stressful on the axles and tires. The times you go in for vehicle servicing will likely result in less extensive and less expensive repairs as key components that make up the underside of the truck last longer thanks to the improved suspension.

With the upgraded rear suspension, the weight of your vehicle becomes more bearable for your rear sub-assembly. When you’re riding with a full load and driving through rough terrain, the bumps are less stressful on the axles and tires. The times you go in for vehicle servicing will likely result in less extensive and less expensive repairs as key components that make up the underside of the truck last longer thanks to the improved suspension. Improved Comfort – Driving in a truck with improved suspension is more comfortable due to the extra cushioning lift that absorbs shock and smooths out the wobble and tremble of road bumps and bumps.

Driving in a truck with upgraded suspension is more comfortable because of the extra cushioning lift that absorbs shock and smooths out the wobble and tremble of road bumps and bumps. Longer Tire Life – With the improved suspension, you can expect longer tire life. The additional lift at the rear of the vehicle means less stress on the tires. When driving with a full load, the tires have to carry less weight and pressure. Once you have a new and improved set of leaf springs installed on your vehicle, you may find that fewer stops are required at the tire pump. Thanks to the reduced vehicle weight and lower loads, the tires’ profile stays thick and full for longer. By installing larger leaf springs in the rear and coil springs in the front, you can even increase your truck’s lift and increase a tire size.

With the improved suspension, you can expect longer tire life. The additional lift at the rear of the vehicle means less stress on the tires. When driving with a full load, the tires have to carry less weight and pressure. Once you have a new and improved set of leaf springs installed on your vehicle, you may find that fewer stops are required at the tire pump. Thanks to the reduced vehicle weight and lower loads, the tires’ profile stays thick and full for longer. If you add larger leaf springs in the rear and coil springs in the front, you can even increase your truck’s stroke and increase a tire size. Safer vehicle – A truck with improved suspension is simply safer to drive. Once you install a new set of leaf springs under your truck, the dangers associated with broken leaf springs and poor rear suspension are largely eliminated. When driving with a full load, you don’t have to worry about the possibility of the rear bumper dragging on the pavement or one of the tires blowing out from excess weight. When navigating slopes or making sharp turns, you won’t experience any spooky leaning or an inability to keep your vehicle straight. In many ways, driving with a new set of leaf springs is like driving a brand new truck.

Where can you buy new leaf springs?

For more than 50 years, General Spring has provided leaf springs, coil springs, lift kits and accessories for the do-it-yourself truck enthusiast. We sell leaves and leaf spring kits for a variety of makes and models. If a leaf on one of your springs has snapped, buy a new pair of affordable leaf springs for your truck from General Spring today!

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How many different leaf spring types can CS-Germany© deliver?

Over 4000 types, as well as around 8000 individual layers.

Do the u-bolts need to be replaced after installing a new spring?

In almost all cases they can be reused. They only need to be replaced if the accessory is

damaged. CS-Germany© can supply any attachments you require.

Is it advisable to replace springs in pairs, even if only one spring is broken?

In most cases, the vehicle will be crooked if only one spring is replaced. The second spring often breaks just a few days later, since both springs are subjected to the same load.

What causes leaf springs to break?

Usually it is torsion (twisting) that leads to breakage. The reason for this is bad road surfaces. Overloading the vehicles often leads to spring breakage.

Is it advisable to grease the leaf springs between the spring layers?

no Exception: Only if the springs have been removed and disassembled beforehand and the individual spring layers have been derusted.

In the event of a broken spring, is it worth replacing just individual spring layers?

no All spring layers are subject to an identical aging process. Other layers often break within a few kilometers of repair.

Why is the service life of leaf springs usually shorter compared to coil springs?

The annual mileage of a truck is often more than 100,000 km and is therefore higher than that of a car. Trucks are also often overloaded.

What is the weight difference between standard steel and composite leaf springs?

The weight saving is around 80%. A standard front spring on a Sprinter weighs around 25kg, while compatible composite leaf springs weigh only 5kg.

Are leaf springs supplied with bushes?

CS-Germany© supplies all its leaf springs with all the necessary accessories such as bushings, rubber buffers and the like.

Can leaf or parabolic springs be reinforced?

We have developed a large number of reinforcement kits especially for transporters such as the Sprinter, the Crafter, the Transit or the Ducato. In most cases they are easy to assemble and do not require removing the springs. The kits come with all the necessary accessories.

Why does the center hole of a new spring break after just a few weeks?

A spring can only break in the clamping area if the axle plate is not sufficiently clamped. The central hole of the spring is a predetermined breaking point. In addition, the clamping area of ​​the spring is exposed to high forces. For this reason, the axle and spring plate must be cleaned of rust before assembly, the threads of the U-bolts must be greased and the nuts must be tightened with the correct torque. The nuts of the U-bolts should be replaced after approx. 100km. When installed correctly, the spring does not break in the central bore, as spring forces can only develop between the spring eyes and the U-bolts.

For many truck owners, the symptoms of broken leaf springs can seem difficult to spot. However, that’s only because they probably haven’t paid any attention to this very important part of a vehicle.

Inspecting a truck for signs of a broken leaf spring or two is actually quite easy once you know how to spot the truck’s proper behavior. When you learn how to tell bad leaf springs from good ones, learning how to repair and maintain leaf springs becomes a lot easier.

While some of the symptoms of broken leaf springs are easily recognizable, others are less obvious and can only be recognized by knowing how the springs should look and function.

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HOW LONG DO LEAF SPRINGS LAST?

Is there a rule of thumb for replacing leaf springs? As with any other part of a vehicle, it matters. The lifespan of leaf springs depends on several factors, including vehicle age and frequency of use, as well as road and environmental conditions. In an older, heavily driven car, the leaf springs may not last as long.

In contrast, the leaf springs on a well-maintained vehicle can last well over 100,000 miles. On average, a set of leaf springs can last about 200,000 miles. This number can vary greatly from case to case – it’s hard to say how long your leaf springs will last in your particular situation. Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wear. Instead of sticking to a strict maintenance schedule, look for visible signs of when leaf springs also need repairs. Learn how to tell if they’re broken, worn, loose, or dirty.

What you might notice if the leaf springs are broken

When rear feathers are broken, it’s often easy to tell by looking at the leaves and noticing the cracks and breaks. However, you would have to climb under the truck for this type of inspection.

From the outside of the truck, the easiest way to determine if you have bad leaf springs is to examine how the vehicle stands from the side when parked and empty. Is the truck vertical from front to back, or does it look askew or elevated at the rear? The last of these choices, elevated, is the ideal position for a truck while parked on a level surface.

Although it may seem strange, trucks are actually designed to slightly rear-end when parked and empty. This is to account for the extra weight that trucks often carry when the truck bed is loaded with heavy items such as boxes and furniture. If the truck were to sit flat when empty, the extra weight could cause the vehicle to sag deeply in the rear. So if the truck is parked empty and crooked when full, that could be a sign of worn leaf springs.

Carrying out the inspection: This is how you can tell when the leaf springs are worn out

Leaf springs are subject to wear and tear over a number of years, mainly due to the various moving parts that make up the springs. Leaf springs can also sag from prolonged periods of uneven weight distribution within a vehicle. In any case, leaf springs should be checked regularly, which would be every 12,000 miles on most trucks. There may be a shorter recommended interval on certain trucks, so it’s always best to check with your car manufacturer.

Before checking the leaf springs under your truck, park it on a level surface and remotely inspect the truck to see if it is sitting up straight or sagging in any way. For this inspection to be accurate, you must have a full gas tank and normal-inflated tires. The curb weight of the truck without a passenger should also be representative of the normal condition of the vehicle.

Stand a suitable distance behind the truck and check how it stands on the ground. Does it appear level from left to right, or does it slope down slightly on one side? If a slump occurs, it’s likely due to a weak or damaged leaf spring on that side.

As funny as it may seem, a truck can actually start sagging on the left side if the driver is the only occupant of the vehicle for an extended period of time. If the sag becomes visible, it is a telltale sign that the leaf springs need to be replaced.

For the second part of the inspection, walk over to either side of the truck and examine the condition of the swingarm pivot spring shackles. The handlebars can be either at the front or rear of the springs, but they should definitely lie flat when the truck is at curb weight.

If one or both springs appear to be damaged, investigate the matter further for evidence of the cause. The problem could stem from excessive impact on one or both leaf springs, or the problem could simply be due to aging. A broken leaf spring is something that most truck drivers will face at some point.

Why leaf springs fail

The average leaf spring consists of four to ten leaves of spring steel, each cut to different lengths and connected with clips. If you see a broken leaf spring, the damage may consist of scratches or cracks along one or more leaves within the spring.

One of the main causes of leaf spring damage is when the leaves create friction with each other as the forklift’s suspension moves. Over time, the symptoms of broken leaf springs are often the result of such activity. Some vehicles use special blades to work around this problem. But even the tapered individual leaves of leaf springs will eventually go bad or be compromised.

How to clean a leaf spring

The most important reason to clean leaf springs regularly is the dirt particles that are thrown up from the ground while driving. This dirt gets in between the leaves and can aggravate wear and corrosion on the leaf springs. Your truck’s manual should indicate the appropriate frequency for leaf spring cleaning.

One of the things you shouldn’t do during leaf spring maintenance is treating the leaves with lubricating oil. If you do, it could interfere with the lube that lies between the sheets. If you want to apply something lubricious, silicone-based lubes are ideal.

Most trucks today have leaf springs on the rear suspension, so you will need to slide under this area of ​​your vehicle to access the leaves and do the basic cleaning. Depending on the height of your wheels, you may need to jack up the truck to complete these steps.

If you need to jack up your truck to access the leaf springs you will need to:

Remove the fairings and hubcaps from the wheels.

Loosen the wheel nuts.

Activate the jack on either the left or right side of the truck.

Place the axle stand under one of the chassis beams – do not place the stand under the axle.

Repeat these steps on the side you didn’t jack up. You should now have both sides of the truck raised with jack stands under the chassis. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels and remove the rear wheels. In this way, the truck stands securely and the weight of the vehicle is significantly reduced in the area of ​​the springs.

The leaf springs should now be clearly visible and easily accessible for maintenance. However, the hard work is just beginning.

Now it’s time to clean the leaves, which can be a tough job if the dirt is thick. The job can also get messy due to the old grease that is on the leaves, so be sure to wear gloves, dirt, and safety glasses when cleaning the feathers. The work in question can also result in soiling the floor as the dirty oil drips from the underside of the truck, so consider covering the sidewalk or garage floor with newspaper.

With a wire brush in hand, remove any dirt that you can see on each of the leaf springs. Try to be extra thorough along the blade tips, clips, tips, and bottoms. When you’re done with this step, the leaf springs should look more like they did when you first installed them, assuming the leaves aren’t damaged.

If greasy dirt sticks really thick, you may need to use a degreasing liquid on the blades. The best option here would be a liquid spray, which will help remove the dirt as you run the wire brush over the surfaces. Once the leaves are as dirt-free as possible, wipe the liquid residue off your wire brush with clean rags.

If the sheets don’t appear greasy at all and are only marked with dry dirt or caustic streaks, skip degreasing fluid. The wire brush should be enough to remove all of the dirt. Even if the leaves have not been treated with grease, it is up to you whether you want to put a silicone lubricant in the springs.

Now that the leaf springs are clean it’s time to get out from under the chassis and lower the truck back to the ground. Basically, you need to reverse all the jacking steps. Reinstall the wheels, remove the axle stands, lower the jack and reinstall the fairings and hubcaps. Make sure the wheel nuts are tight and everything is secure.

Check leaf springs and fasteners

During the leaf spring cleaning process, you may discover signs of damage to the leaves, which may or may not be reversible. That’s why it’s important to know how to tell the difference between springs with little wear and springs that simply need to be replaced completely. Here’s what to look for:

Check if one of the leaf springs is more perfectly horizontal than the other. If there is indeed an imbalance, the truck is more likely to sag on one side. In this case, it would also be useful to check the ground clearance.

Study the edges of the leaves. Notice any chips or cracks? Once blades are broken, welding tools cannot fix the problem. In fact, if you spot damage like this, you’ll know when to replace leaf springs.

Examine the undersides of the leaves, where the stacking order is from narrowest to widest, like an inverted pyramid. The end tips of the lower blade could possibly hit the underside of the upper wider blade. This phenomenon is something to beware of as it may mean that all but the narrowest leaves have suffered an indentation from the leaves directly below. This problem can be caused by leaf spring binding, where the leaf strips are pressed tightly together.

You should be most concerned about the extent of the depression. If the depression is minor, you don’t have to worry. However, if the indentation exceeds 3mm, the problem is probably out of control and beyond repair, not even through repair work.

Look at the shape of the shackle pins that hold the rubber bushings in place. Are they straight and spotless, or have they lost their shape and become rusty? In the latter case, it might be difficult to loosen the pins. So the task of replacing them may be best left to a professional.

Check the condition of the U-bracket

You should also check that the U-bolt nuts are secure as they connect each of the leaf springs to the axle. If the nuts are not tightened enough, the position of the axle could be affected by the springs, which could negatively affect the truck’s steering power, brake mechanisms and tire quality. Tighten these nuts when necessary and possible, and replace any nuts that are not properly securing the springs.

The screws or pins that attach each spring to its corresponding mounting block must also be free of wear or damage, otherwise the axle could shake the leaf springs loose.

The leaves of each spring are fastened together on the outside by U-shaped brackets, which in turn are fastened with bolts or rivets. If any of these clips appear to be slipping off the springs or are worn or broken in any way, they should be replaced with new ones as soon as possible.

If the clips are weak, the spring loading may not function properly when the truck is traveling over shaky or treacherous ground. As a result, the main blades could break due to excessive loading at the full travel point.

On certain leaf springs, the narrowest leaf at the bottom is not attached to the other leaves by the spring clip, but is instead held in place by the U-bolt. Consequently, when the U-bolt loosens, the lower blade can rotate outwards slightly. If this has happened to one of the leaf springs on your truck, lightly tap the bottom leaf back into alignment with a hammer and reattach the U-bolt.

Check the rubber bushings

To check the quality of the rubber bushings at the end of each leaf spring, you need to wipe the bushings as clean as possible. Check each bushing for signs of damage or wear that would indicate prolonged exposure to the truck weight on the suspension. It’s also possible that the rubber has cracked or spoiled over time from contact with dirty oil.

If the rubber bushings really do need to be replaced with new ones, this is best left to a professional. This is due to the process involved in loosening and tightening bushings – a process that involves the use of hydraulic equipment. While it may seem like a minor consideration when repairing broken leaf springs, the quality of the bushings is actually quite crucial to the spring’s overall performance.

Check for corrosion and imperfections

To check the lateral movement of the leaf springs, you must remove the weight of the truck from the axles. Grasp one of the springs and see if it turns sideways in any way. If the spring does not turn in one direction, it has passed the test. Repeat this test with the other leaf spring.

At the heart of this test are the rubber bushings, which are designed to prevent the springs from rotating in any way. That makes the bushing one of the more critical parts to check when repairing sagging leaf springs on a truck. In fact, leaf spring repairs could boil down to the tightness and quality of the rubber bushings. If one of the leaf springs turns even slightly to one side or the other, have the bushing on that spring replaced with a new one.

Examine the shackle pins to see how tight they are attached. This can be done with either a box wrench or a socket wrench. If any of the nuts or bolts are loose, tighten them appropriately. This simple tightening of the shackle bolts is another step in fixing sagging leaf springs.

Inspect the floor pan and the chassis member closest to the mount for signs of rust. After all, rust can spread from one component under a truck to anything metal attached, and rust is one of the ultimate markers of bad leaf springs.

Use a hammer to lightly tap the parts of the underside closest to the springs to ensure the metal is intact. If corrosion has spread along the floor pan and brackets, the truck should be taken in for repair. Discontinue normal use of your truck until the corrosion problem is resolved. Even if changing the leaf springs is good for your truck, a rusting underside can quickly render the fresh pair of springs weak.

If the rust is minor and limited to just a few areas of metal along the rear underside, scrape that rust off with your metal brush. To prevent the rust from returning or spreading, treat the areas in question with a rust preventative and top it off with a sealing formula.

Buy new leaf springs from General Spring

Repairing broken leaf springs is relatively easy to master once you learn how to identify the problems with a specific spring. While it may depend somewhat on the nature of the problem at hand, dedicated truck owners can learn how to fix a broken leaf spring in almost any situation. Once an issue has been assessed, the critical next step is to purchase new leaf springs from a name you can trust.

Here at General Spring we supply the parts truck owners need for proper rear suspension on any terrain. Our warehouse has a wide range of leaf and coil springs as well as customer-specific springs and individual parts for leaf spring kits. We inspect every product for quality before shipment, and all of our leaf springs are backed by a one-year warranty.

For more than 50 years, General Spring has been a suspension authority and supplier of leaf springs for all types of trucks. To learn more about our inventory, see our product pages. Have a question? We’re happy to help. Contact us today.

As a technology, leaf springs are as good as dead in the automotive world. But surely they must have had some merits? Let’s explain…

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Just about every car review out there will mention something about damping and suspension adjustment at some point. shock absorbers, springs, coilovers, high end stuff like Ohlins shocks; You’ve probably heard it all before. However, you don’t have to look back too far to find production cars from the western world that featured leaf spring suspension. I first encountered them on my dad’s 1969 MGC ​​GT and Austin Princess and always found them rusty, dirty and just not up to the task. Leaf springs as a unit date back to the Romans, who decided that their chariots needed some damping when navigating rough surfaces. Leaf springs changed little for centuries until the early 1900s when the first shock absorber (as we know it today) was invented and mass-produced with the 1927 Ford Model A.

What are leaf springs?

Leaf springs are a basic form of suspension made up of different sized layers of steel sandwiched on top of each other. Most leaf spring assemblies are formed into an elliptical shape through the use of spring steel, which has properties that allow it to flex when pressure is applied at both ends, but then return to its original position through a damping process. The steel is generally cut into rectangular sections and then held together once by metal staples at either end and a large bolt through the center of the sheets. It is then mounted to the vehicle’s axle using large U-bolts, securing the suspension in place. The resilience of spring steel allows for flex within the suspension for comfort and control of a car while driving, and a leaf spring assembly has proven itself as a viable option for cars for many decades, although it’s really only found on trucks and military vehicles these days.

What are the advantages?

Due to the sheer amount of metal layers, leaf springs provide a large amount of support between the car’s wheels, axles and chassis. Due to their close-meshed structure, they can take enormous vertical loads, which is why they are still used in the heavy-duty industry. Vertical loading is also distributed along the length of the leaf spring rather than acutely through a small spring and damper, potentially creating a concentrated force too large for the suspension. In a car, damping can be an extremely important property. If the suspension is under-damped, the car will roll and bounce around well after hitting a bump or pothole in the road. This was a significant feature on cars that used coil springs before the shock absorber appeared, and was detrimental to cars when driven at real speed. Leaf springs coped much better with car damping due to the friction between the individual steel plates, which made the reaction time after a vertical flex in the suspension much quicker, resulting in a much more controllable car.

FEA analysis of a mono-leaf spring showing the stress distribution

Leaf springs were simple in design and cheap to manufacture compared to the early springs and dampers, so it was the go-to choice when cars were fully mass-produced to ensure reliability while keeping costs down. Monoleaf springs were the simplest design of the lot, using just one leaf of spring steel tapered from thick in the center to thin at the edges (known as parabolic leaf springs) to adequately distribute vertical loads. However, a single leaf setup could only be used on extremely light vehicles due to the lack of strength within the bar.

What are the disadvantages?

A major downside to leaf setups is that they aren’t brilliant when it comes to suspension tuning. In racing and performance car applications it is important to be able to manipulate a suspension setup for driving conditions and for different driving styles, which is much easier these days with adjustable coilovers. This lack of adjustability in blade assemblies is accentuated by the fact that the ends of the leaf springs are attached to the chassis, leaving very little room for shortening or lengthening of the blades. Adjustments can therefore only be made through the strength and flexibility of the material from which the leaf springs are made. Blades also allow for very few directions of movement and are only really designed to move vertically, while a spring and damper combination can be manipulated into a much larger range of motion. Leaf springs are tightly clamped and bolted to the chassis and clipped to the axle, leaving little or no room for other directions of movement, which can cause excessive wear on the pivots and linkages that hold the setup together. This connection with a live rear axle can induce odd dynamic characteristics in a car compared to the more modern independent suspension that older Mustangs are famous for. The rear axle just bounces around high-speed corners as the suspension and axle are forced to move together, while a modern dampened system would add a lot more composure to the driving experience. Compared to a coil spring, leaf springs are generally much stiffer simply because of the steel construction and the tight package into which they are bolted and clamped. Ride comfort is therefore not a feature of vehicles using leaf springs, which drastically reduced their popularity after suitable dampers were introduced in everyday cars in a cost-effective manner in the 1970s.

But doesn’t the Corvette use leaf springs?

The Corvette was often laughed at for sticking to old-school leaf-spring technology, but there’s a real reason for Chevy to keep using it. A transverse leaf spring is placed along the rear axle and is simply retained as a design as it works well and is a much cheaper alternative to coilovers. The “Vette” has always been a “bang-for-your-buck” car, and as Chevrolet still claims satisfactory driving dynamics, it sees no reason to change it. Chevrolet uses fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP) instead of steel because it can handle about five times the strain energy of a standard spring steel structure and is only one-third the weight. Suspension tests are generally determined by the number of cycles, or oscillations, that the springs can handle. The FRP Monoleaf system can handle ten times as many cycles as the steel equivalent, and the lack of interaction between the leaves found in a multi-leaf spring means the suspension remains supple, maintaining levels of handling and ride comfort.

Here is a short video of how leaf springs are made

Question:

The leaf springs on my boat trailer are rusty. Does that mean I have to replace them?

Answers:

Not necessarily, your trailer springs should be replaced when the bottom leaves start to loosen at the ends. Think of it this way: Let’s say you have a four-leaf quill. Raise your hand, palm up, with all four fingers (each of your fingers representing a leaf of your quill) touching. If your trailer spring’s lower leaves look like this, then they are most likely fine. Now spread your fingers apart if the springs on your trailer have space between them (at the ends of the lower leaves) then it’s time to get some new trailer springs.

Question:

How can I prevent my boat trailer leaf springs from rusting?

Answers:

I do not believe that is possible. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying it! Coating it with a rubberized car base coat or even covering it in wheel bearing grease may help for a while, but rust will always win. A great option for “standard” width (72″ ​​or 80″ outer frame width) aluminum I-beam trailers would be to get rid of the leaf springs and bolt on some zinc plated torsion axles. If you need to replace the axles, leaf springs, spring hangers, shackle plates and all mounting hardware. Then we strongly recommend torsion axles. In a situation where everything needs to be replaced, when all is said and done, boat trailer torsion axles can save you hundreds of dollars on the initial installation. In addition, significantly less maintenance is required over the life of torsion bars compared to leaf springs. The trailer will have a center of gravity about two inches lower. This means the trailer is safer to tow and you don’t have to drive your vehicle all the way down the boat ramp to launch and load your boat. Ride quality will be very smooth and quiet, and you can expect a lifespan of ten years or more from a torsion axle. Normal boat trailer leaf springs last two or three years on average. **Remember, if you are converting from leaf springs to torsion axles, plan to raise your boat trailer fenders a few inches to give your trailer tires the clearance they need. (Now that your trailer rides a few inches lower) We allow 3-1/2″ to 4″ clearance between the tire and your fenders under static conditions (trailer jacked up with no weight on axles).

Question:

How do I know which trailer springs I need?

Answers:

The next section below will show you how to determine what type of leaf spring you have and how to measure each different type.

There are about 187 other trailer spring questions that I can think of right now, so just give us a call at 727-546-8484 and we’ll take care of them.

How much does it cost to replace a coil spring?

Replacing the coil springs on your truck will improve your vehicle’s suspension. However, do you know the price of changing the coil spring? Have you factored in the cost a mechanic will charge you for the repair plus the time you won’t have your truck? Whether you’re looking to cut the cost of repairs or avoid sticker shock, find out the cost of replacing your truck’s coil springs now before you have to do the job.

What are signs of a bad coil spring?

Failing coil springs cause handling and suspension problems. You may notice extra vertical movement – especially when stopping – as well as sagging, uneven tire wear, or swaying.

While many vehicles have the same set of coil springs for a lifetime, when you drive your truck over unstable roads or haul heavy loads, your coil springs can fail or wear out.

If you suspect your truck’s coils are worn, look underneath for signs of rust or coil sag. To ensure your truck drives smoothly, replace coil springs in pairs – for example, both front coil springs at once. Your vehicle will drive more smoothly if the coil springs are of the same strength and age.

How much does it cost to replace a coil spring in a store?

If you take your truck to a mechanic for a replacement coil spring, you may find that you spend an average of $350 to $422. Actual price will depend on your vehicle, location, type of spring replaced, and whether you require additional services. Labor costs typically range from $133-$168, while you might spend $217-$254 on the parts. Also, if the shop needs to order a new coil spring for your truck, you may not have your vehicle for several days.

Worn or damaged coil springs must be replaced, not repaired. Once a coil spring wears out, the only way to restore the truck’s suspension is to install a new one. The coil spring’s purpose is to support your truck and if wear or damage compromises its ability to do so, you cannot restore it to its former capabilities.

How much does coil spring replacement cost if you do it yourself?

If you have the know-how and tools to replace your truck’s coil springs, you can do the job yourself and spend half the price of taking your vehicle to a mechanic. You only have to pay the cost of the parts and any tools required that you don’t currently own.

Coil spring prices vary widely depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, ranging from $70 to $167. These prices still cost less than the average most stores charge per hairspring. Buying the parts directly from a suspension parts company can lower the cost of your front coil spring because you don’t have to pay the overhead that a mechanic does when the store buys parts to install on your truck.

Because trucks are heavier and require sturdier suspension parts, coil springs for trucks generally cost more than those for cars. However, the added strength of truck coil springs provides the support your vehicle needs.

Installing DIY coil springs will save you money compared to taking your truck to a mechanic. The money you save is the labor the shop would charge you for the repair. Additionally, you’ll likely save time as you can complete the replacement in an afternoon instead of taking your truck to a mechanic all day or several days.

Allow at least a few hours for the project to be completed. Give yourself a full day if this repair is the first major part replacement on your truck.

In addition to two replacement coil springs, one per side, you will need to plan on removing other parts from your truck to access the springs. To complete the work, you need to remove the ball joint, brake rotor and calipers. The tools you will need to replace the coil spring include the following:

jack and jack

coil spring compressor

Ball Joint Remover

crowbar

Do not attempt this project without a suitable coil spring compressor. The coil springs have a lot of tension inside them. If you don’t have a tool to hold it down, you could be seriously injured by the spring triggering.

With this tool you can slowly compress the new spring to insert it. You may also need to squeeze the old spring to remove it. Once you purchase this tool, you won’t need to do it again for future coil spring changes. If you have more than one truck, investing in this tool makes sense. Purchasing a ball joint puller will help you with other future repairs to your truck’s suspension system.

How urgent is it to replace coil springs?

If you have a damaged coil spring, stop driving your vehicle. Riding with a broken coil spring can cause further damage. In addition, loss of handling can make driving dangerous. Vehicle sway can cause you to lose control of your truck and get into an accident. Do not drive your truck until you can replace the coil springs.

How often do coil springs need to be replaced?

Because coil springs last as long as they can support the weight of your truck and the loads you’re hauling, you don’t have to worry about paying coil spring repair costs on a regular basis. However, if you are in an accident and have other damage to your suspension, you may need to replace the coil springs as well. Hauling too much for your truck’s rated load can also wear out your springs prematurely.

Look for signs of worn springs. This information tells you how often you need to replace the coil springs. If you have the correct springs for your truck and vehicle loads, you shouldn’t need to change them unless they are directly damaged.

Save money on the cost of replacing coil springs with General Spring

When you need to cut costs without affecting your truck’s drivability, order coil springs from us at General Spring. We’ve been in the suspension component business since 1965. Thanks to our extensive stock and fast shipping, you can get the coil springs you need without wasting any time. Shop our online store for coil springs to match your truck make and model for better handling and a safer ride.

Question:

The leaf springs on my boat trailer are rusty. Does that mean I have to replace them?

Answers:

Not necessarily, your trailer springs should be replaced when the bottom leaves start to loosen at the ends. Think of it this way: Let’s say you have a four-leaf quill. Raise your hand, palm up, with all four fingers (each of your fingers representing a leaf of your quill) touching. If your trailer spring’s lower leaves look like this, then they are most likely fine. Now spread your fingers apart if the springs on your trailer have space between them (at the ends of the lower leaves) then it’s time to get some new trailer springs.

Question:

How can I prevent my boat trailer leaf springs from rusting?

Answers:

I do not believe that is possible. But that shouldn’t stop you from trying it! Coating it with a rubberized car base coat or even covering it in wheel bearing grease may help for a while, but rust will always win. A great option for “standard” width (72″ ​​or 80″ outer frame width) aluminum I-beam trailers would be to get rid of the leaf springs and bolt on some zinc plated torsion axles. If you need to replace the axles, leaf springs, spring hangers, shackle plates and all mounting hardware. Then we strongly recommend torsion axles. In a situation where everything needs to be replaced, when all is said and done, boat trailer torsion axles can save you hundreds of dollars on the initial installation. In addition, significantly less maintenance is required over the life of torsion bars compared to leaf springs. The trailer will have a center of gravity about two inches lower. This means the trailer is safer to tow and you don’t have to drive your vehicle all the way down the boat ramp to launch and load your boat. Ride quality will be very smooth and quiet, and you can expect a lifespan of ten years or more from a torsion axle. Normal boat trailer leaf springs last two or three years on average. **Remember, if you are converting from leaf springs to torsion axles, plan to raise your boat trailer fenders a few inches to give your trailer tires the clearance they need. (Now that your trailer rides a few inches lower) We allow 3-1/2″ to 4″ clearance between the tire and your fenders under static conditions (trailer jacked up with no weight on axles).

Question:

How do I know which trailer springs I need?

Answers:

The next section below will show you how to determine what type of leaf spring you have and how to measure each different type.

There are about 187 other trailer spring questions that I can think of right now, so just give us a call at 727-546-8484 and we’ll take care of them.

Tell signs that you need to replace your leaf springs

If you own a pickup truck, van, or SUV, chances are you expect a lot from your suspension. One of the key components that help you carry and pull these heavy loads day in and day out are leaf springs that support your vehicle’s suspension system. In fact, you often don’t fully understand the importance of the performance of your leaf springs until you realize that they are no longer working properly.

Your factory-installed metal leaf springs are designed for a general service life before eventually wearing out and requiring replacement. If you are familiar with the handling and performance of your vehicle, you will certainly notice signs of worn leaf springs. This can be due to a bumpy ride, excessive vibration when the car or truck is fully loaded, and many other indicators.

No matter what tells you that your suspension isn’t doing its job, when it’s time to replace your leaf springs, it’s best to do it right away. Watch out for the telltale signs that you need to replace your leaf springs to avoid unsafe driving conditions and keep your vehicle on the road and in strong condition.

Look out for these telltale signs that you need to replace your leaf springs:

Squeaking noises while your truck is in motion Hanging on one side Sagging in the rear Decreased drivability Trouble pulling and towing loads Suspension banging through cracks on leaves

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A sign of vehicle distress is the occurrence of squeaking noises while driving. The noise only occurs when you are driving the vehicle, which can make it difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem. However, squeaky leaf springs could be the culprit.

To determine if the squeak is being caused by the leaf springs, park your truck on a flat piece of land and examine the front and rear of the vehicle from side to side. If the truck is hanging on one side, there is likely a problem with one of the springs. Squeaking noises can also occur if the screws in one of the springs are loose. To determine if this is the problem, jack up the truck and examine the springs. Do any of the screws feel loose? In this case, the blades could wobble while driving. This issue should be addressed immediately before it leads to more costly problems with your truck.

What are the signs of damaged leaf springs?

There are certain services that you know you will need during the life of a car or truck, from changing fluids, batteries and tires to replacing brakes, timing belts and water pump. As important as they are to your vehicle’s performance, knowing when to replace leaf springs is often the last thing on your mind. If you don’t check and inspect your leaf springs regularly, you could have problems that ruin your ride.

While further inspection is required to definitively confirm worn or broken leaf springs, using your senses is often enough to spot a problem. If you hear creaks and squeaks when driving over rough terrain, or a scraping noise when driving, it may be due to problems with your leaf spring suspension. If you experience sluggish handling, trouble towing and towing loads, or your suspension bottoms out when going over a bump, you may have worn or cracked leaf springs that need to be replaced immediately.

This is how you can tell if you need new leaf springs

Even subtle signs of wear or failure on your leaf springs are warning enough to take a closer look. You can often tell if there are problems by parking on a level surface and looking at your vehicle to see if one side sits lower than the other. If the car is low on one side, it’s time to remove the wheels and investigate further.

This procedure can be quickly performed by a lay mechanic with a few simple tools. However, some may wish to take their vehicle to a professional garage for a more thorough inspection. After you’ve jacked up your truck and removed the wheels, use a wire brush to clean the leaf springs to remove dirt and grime, and look for wear and cracks. If there are any, then replacement leaf springs are the only logical choice.

A compromised suspension system not only reduces your capabilities, but is also potentially dangerous. If the leaf springs break completely and your axle comes loose, you risk extensive damage to your car or truck chassis with continued use. Such a failure can also affect the health of a variety of other systems and components, resulting in far more expensive repairs or a total write-off.

Leaf spring replacement options

At General Spring we stock a range of aftermarket replacement leaf springs depending on the make and model and your applications. We offer standard options that meet or exceed OEM part quality.

If your leaf springs have only lasted a short time due to heavy use and demanding jobs and work environments, you may want to speak to our experts about heavy-duty leaf springs. The standard leaf springs on a car or truck are only rated for a certain weight, and carrying heavy loads on a regular basis can affect the wear on your leaf springs. Our heavy-duty options are designed to increase hauling and towing capacity and withstand the most demanding applications.

Before you simply replace the springs with the factory models, do some research.

Do you need a leaf spring replacement? Contact General Spring

You may have many questions when it comes to finding the right leaf springs to replace the ones that are damaged on your vehicle, and it can be helpful to speak to experts who work with suspensions on a daily basis. At General Spring, we’ve been the authority on leaf springs and suspensions in the automotive industry since 1965 and still operate a full service shop in the New Century, KS area today.

When you call the on-site technicians, you’re speaking to the same people who make our quality suspension products. Our experienced contacts will be happy to answer all your questions about when to replace leaf springs and help you identify the products that make the most sense for you. We can also design and manufacture custom leaf springs for any application, including older vehicles where leaf springs are no longer readily available.

Order your replacement leaf springs today

Don’t put off your suspension inspection or ignore the signs of broken leaf springs. General Spring offers a full line of cost-effective solutions to correct the problem and restore ride quality. We offer fast shipping across the country as well as an excellent one year warranty on all leaf springs we sell.

Contact us using our online form for more information on the warning signs your leaf springs need replacing or to request help with ordering. We’re confident we can help with any suspension issue you may be having.

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