Leaf springs are essentially extinct in terms of auto suspension. But leaf springs continue to be one of the most popular options for supporting the suspension of vans, lorries, trailers, and other heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Before summarizing the reasons why you would choose leaf springs for your van, truck, pickup, bus, or trailer, we will look at a brief history of leaf springs and the benefits and drawbacks of the modern leaf spring.
A Brief History
In its whole, leaf springs may be traced back to the ROᴍᴀɴ era, when they were first developed for dampening chariots when they were employed on uneven terrain. The springs were unchanged for a long time before the first sʜᴏᴄᴋ absorber was developed around the turn of the century and put into mass production with the Ford Model A in 1927. In the present day, leaf springs haven’t altered all that much. Although the leaf spring’s general purpose and design haven’t altered, they have been strengthened and made more resilient. What are the advantages and disadvantages of leaf springs, though?
Leaf Spring Advantages
There are several notable advantages to the leaf spring. The principal advantages include the following: The suspension, which is designed to act as a linkage without the need for a separate linkage, holds the axle in position. Rear axle positioning eliminates unnecessary weight and costs. As a result, a Panhard rod and trailing arms are no longer required. For commercial vehicles, leaf springs are the greatest option since they can support the weight of the chassis. The broad spring base and high rear moment center enable more efficient regulation of the chassis roll. If the springs are spaced more apart, the roll inclinations will decrease.
The disadvantages
Although the modern leaf spring offers ᴍᴀɴy important benefits, it also has a few disadvantages that you should be aware of. Although they aren’t always the easiest to install, there is a basic process to follow that greatly simplifies the process. The riding comfort isn’t as good due to the friction that develops between each leaf. Over time, the springs have a propensity to sag and lose their shape. The vehicle’s gross weight can change due to uneven sag, which could slightly alter how it handles.
As a result, the axle-to-mount angle might also change. Wind-up and vibration may occur as a result of acceleration and braking torque. The wind-up may also cause a nose-dive and a stoop in the back. Before making any purchase, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages, especially when it comes to the perforᴍᴀɴce of the vehicle.
Why choose leaf springs?
A leaf spring’s basic construction is composed of thick metal layers, which allows them to support significant vertical weights. They are ideal for commercial vans, pickup trucks, trailers, and trucks because they provide a significant amount of support between the wheels, axles, and chassis of the vehicle, which is necessary in these situations.
Let’s see how to ᴀᴡᴇsome process of producing super hard leaf spring in the interesting video below.
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Video resource: Modern Creative
