#laminated leaf spring

The automobile industry is constantly changing. Cars are the second costliest things that a person can have in his entire lifetime. Since the beginning of the 20th century automobiles have ruled the transportation industry. Today, cars are the most favorite mode of transport when it comes to covering a relatively short distance. The increase in the demand of cars led to the development of the automobile technology that devised newer components for a smoother drive from time to time. Leaf spring is one such component that is principally used for the suspension in vehicles. It is the oldest form of suspension that is still in use and is found especially in larger vehicles like trucks and buses.

The work of a suspension

Suspensions are fitted in cars in order to make the ride smoother and free of jerks. The main task of suspension is to absorb the shock when driving on an uneven terrain thus preventing the effect of the shock from being transmitted to the passengers in the vehicles. Thus suspensions can be regarded as absolutely indispensible as far as riding comfort is concerned. However, it is to be kept in mind that proper care is necessary in order to maintain the suspension quality. Hence, car users should regularly service their cars so that they can have the best performance for long.

Automobile Leaf Spring suspension

A large number of vehicles nowadays, especially heavier vehicles use this type of suspension. The main advantage of leaf suspension is that it can be maneuvered along a specific path. In case of heavier and larger vehicles multiple leaves are placed one above the other in order to maximize the effect of suspension. It is arc shaped and is connected with the axle at the center portion. Modern versions of this spring have much less number of leaves and generally follow a parabolic curve. Each leaf is separated from the other by means of spacers thus giving the spring more flexibility which ultimately results in ride comfort.

Manufacturing of Automotive Leaf Springs

Manufacturing of such a spring involves a number of processes. The main stages in the manufacturing process are end heating process, heat treatment, surface preparation and assembly. All of these processes need to be executed carefully in order to make soundly performing springs.

Other uses

These springs are also used by blacksmiths in some parts of Asia where a large part of the tools of daily usage comes from conventional blacksmiths. As these springs are mainly made from to quality steel, they prove to be a good material for regular household items like knives and small construction tools.

It is important to maintain Leaf Spring properly and for this purpose the car user should take resort to regular servicing of the car. The servicing can be done at the dealership or at some local garage. However, it is vital to be sure about the authenticity of the servicing job before availing such service. Clients can take the help of professional mechanics in this regard.

There's a few different ways to raise the height of the rear of a truck. One of the most cost effective and efficient ways is to add a leaf to the existing leaf springs which serves a couple of purposes. First is to increase the ride height and the other is to increase your spring capacity giving you the capability to haul and tow more weight without the rear end sagging.

Before the instructions you should know there are 2 different styles of add a leaf out there which are long and short. The long add a leaf which will typically be your new 2nd or 3rd leaf; the short add a leaf will be the 2nd one from the bottom directly above the overload spring (fat bottom spring). My next article I'll get into the differences between the two styles; however, I will tell you the long add a leaf is a much better product and you should install this in your vehicle over the short ones.

One more note is to find the long add a leaf with the tip inserts in the end because nothing is more annoying than doing this work and having an irritating squeak every time you go over a bump. So, without further ado here are instructions for a long add a leaf and remember all vehicles are set up differently so these are typical but variances are possible.

1. Raise the rear of vehicle with a floor jack on the axle to your desired height and then place jack stands under the frame. Lower jack stand until the frame is supported by the jack stands. Removing tires is optional during this process. Some people think it's easier but to me personally it just adds more time to the process.

2. With the axle still supported with a floor jack remove the U bolts and lower shock bolt.

3. Lower the floor jack so the axle separates from the leaf springs by a couple of inches which will take the load off the leaf springs and give you room to put in the new center bolt.

4. Being this is instructions for the long add a leaf you'll need to bend out your factory clips so you can insert your new leaf in. So with channel locks, pliers or pipe wrench bend out the factory clips. Note - a lot of add a leaf kits will come with replacement clips so use these if yours will not fit another leaf. If this is the case your old clips must be removed by drilling, grinder or torch.

5. Remove the center bolt from the leaf springs. You may want to put on a c clamp or vice grips so the springs won't "explode" when the center bolt is removed.

6. As you probably figured out by now the main leaf will still be hanging in the truck so remove the rest of the springs and stack them up with the new center bolt. The leaf springs will stay in a staggered formation so the longest leaf at the top and shorter as they go down so insert your add a leaf accordingly.

7. Reinsert the leaves back into the truck and tighten the center bolt.

8. Raise the axle up with floor jack until the axle is contacting the leaf springs. Very important is to "center" the truck meaning the rounded head of the center bolt will go into the hole in the spring perch welded to the axle. You will probably have to move your axle forward, back, in or out just make sure you get the truck centered so you're not dog tracking down the road.

9. Once the truck is centered either put on new u bolts or reuse your old ones depending on your situation. Reinstall your lower shock bolt and tighten all u bolts and shock bolts.

10. Bend your clips back into place or replace with clips from the add a leaf kit you purchased.

11. Raise the axle with floor jack until the frame jack stands can be removed and then lower the floor jack down and you're done.