4 Causes of Leaf Spring Failure

What are the causes of leaf spring failure?

1. Overloading
2. Loose U-bolts
3. Corrosion
4. Presence of weld splatter

You can’t undermine the importance of a leaf spring when it comes to your truck’s suspension system. This is the component that supports the vehicle when it’s carrying heavy loads, improves grip on the road when driving, and overall allows you to control the vehicle better. Knowing these, causes of leaf spring failure are oftentimes attributed to poor driving practices and vehicle maintenance.

Some leaf spring issues can result from unnecessary overloading, corrosion, or manufacturing defects that speed up the wear and tear of these components. Avoiding these problems will ultimately result in better, safer, and more comfortable driving on the road. Read on to learn more.

Overloading

Although you may want to deny it, you’ve at least overloaded your vehicle at some point. Aside from an unsafe driving habit, overloading actually causes your leaf springs to distort or bend over time. This part, along with your entire suspension can no longer support the loads carried in the back of your truck. If left unaddressed, you can face serious accidents as a result of a poor suspension.

The only solution for this is to not allow your vehicle to carry more weight than what the manufacturer has recommended. Doing this also ensures that you’re complying with local laws of the land regarding the maximum allowable weight that your truck can carry when transporting goods.

Loose U-Bolts

Simply put, the U-bolt is the part of the leaf spring that’s responsible for securing the differential of your vehicles to the axles, and the tires. With a loose U-bolt, the suspension can’t support the vehicle during normal driving conditions or even when traveling on bumpy and jagged surfaces. This is dangerous as you’ll experience difficulty in steering and maneuvering the vehicle overall.

It’s recommended that you have your U-bolts inspected by a professional after driving your vehicle for at least 38,000 kilometers or as recommended by the manufacturer.

You may also want to consider replacing your U-bolts. Roberts AIPMC’s Tiger U-Bolt is built to last and ensure safe driving. With a brand new U-bolt, other parts of the vehicle, such as the axle seat, bottom plate, and center bolt will be better protected from critical damage allowing your leaf spring to last longer.

Corrosion

As much as you want to avoid it, corrosion affects most, if not all, of the internal components in your vehicle. Over time, you’ll also find that the leaf spring may have corroded due to exposure to the elements and regular wear and tear.

However, there are a few key things you can do to slow down leaf spring corrosion. Simple practices like not overloading your vehicle, cleaning the suspension system, or having it serviced at an automotive shop are good techniques to keep in mind. Meanwhile, when corrosion has affected most of the leaf spring, your best bet is to buy a new one and have it replaced.

Presence of Weld Splatter

Sometimes, leaf spring failure can be a result of poor manufacturing techniques, particularly in weld splatters. Welt splatters appear as small spots of molten weld fillers that weren’t removed during production. Although they appear as small droplets, they can affect the leaf spring and make it more prone to corrosion.

You want to make sure that the leaf spring your purchase has undergone quality control to avoid the presence of any unwanted substances like weld splatters. Buy these components only from reliable manufacturers like Roberts AIPMC that prioritize craftsmanship and conduct testing for OEM-grade products.

Key Takeaway

Discussed in this short guide are some of the causes of leaf spring failure, like overloading, unsecured U-bolts, weld splatter marks, and corrosion. Most of these problems can be addressed early on, by making sure that you don’t put too much strain on your vehicle. You can also avoid these issues by relying on an experienced manufacturer that provides you with high-quality leaf springs for your truck.

Roberts AIPMC is the leading leaf spring manufacturer in the country. To learn more about our products, click here! You may also contact us for more information on leaf springs, U-bolts, car radiators, and other services.