How do I know if the leaf springs on my truck are worn out ? 

Steel leaf springs are an integral part of the suspension of a pickup truck, freight truck or SUV. They are one of the key components that help you carry and tow those heavy loads day in and day out. In fact, you often don’t know exactly how important the performance of your leaf springs is until they break. The breakage could cause certain problems such as the rear sag of the vehicle or more difficult driving.  

 

Below is a troubleshooting guide for a trucks leaf spring. Your suspension is made up of many moving parts, all of which should be carefully checked on a regular basis. If you do not regularly inspect your leaf springs, you’ll be taking on risk when driving as some breaks will not be detected.

Here is a list of common truck leaf spring problems liés aux lames de ressort

A worn-out leaf spring can have serious consequences. Sometimes the ear can be easily seen whereas other times it can also be difficult to see or detect as there is no visible sign.  

SPRING BLADES TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Problems Probable causes Solutions
My truck is leaning to one side. 1. One or more blades are broken. 1. Replace all of the springs
2. All springs are worn. 2. Replace all of the springs.
3. The springs are mismatched. The ability or arc is different from side to side. 3. Replace the springs with a matching set.
4. The frame is folded. 4. Check the frame rails for damage. We are specialized in chassis repair.
 5Old or new springs from different manufacturers are mixed. 5. Always replace pairs of springs to avoid confusion.
6. Shock absorbers damaged or defective in position. 6. Replace the shock absorbers.
7. The suspension parts (axles, pins, bushings and shackles) are worn 7. Replace worn parts.
My truck is skidding. 1. The leaf spring is broken. 1. Replace all of the springs.
2. The wheels are not aligned. 2. Contact us to check the truck alignment of your wheels.
3. The steering parts are worn. 3. Replace worn parts and align front wheels.
The suspension touches the ground. 1. If you are having difficulty transporting or towing heavy loads, this may be a sign that your truck is overloaded. 1. Reduce the vehicle load. Consider getting stronger springs.
2. One or more leaf springs are broken. 2. Replace all of the springs.
3. All springs are worn. 3. Replace all of the springs.
4. All of the springs have not been properly installed on the vehicle. 4. Replace with a set of springs appropriate for the weight and arc.
My trucks springs break regularly. 1.  The vehicle is overloaded. 1. Reduce speed under heavy load on rough terrain. Reduce the weight carried by the vehicle to the rated capacity of the suspension.
2. U-bolts are loose. 2. Replace U-bolts and check tension during preventative maintenance.
3. The center bolt is broken. 3. Replace the center bolt and U-bolts. Change all of the springs as needed.
4. Spring and suspension rings are worn. The spring shackles / bearings are also worn. 4. Replace worn parts. The interval between preventive maintenance should be shortened in order to lubricate the parts regularly.
5. Worn shocks cause excessive oscillation. 5. Replace the shock absorbers.
When driving, the vehicle is noisy. 1. Squeaking can occur if the bolts are loose in any of the springs. 1. This problem should be fixed immediately since future problems could be more costly.
2. The spring axles are worn. The shackles are worn or broken, causing the springs to shift. You can hear a snap.
 
2. Replace worn or broken components. Change all of the springs as needed.
3. Bushes or pins are worn. You can hear a snap. 3. Replace worn or broken components. Change all of the springs as needed.
4. The bent spring clips contact the spring causing a squeak. 4. Bend a clip to release the leaf spring. If worn or damaged, replace the spring assembly.
5. Missing spring non-slip pads cause squealing. 5. Replace the missing anti-slip pads.
6. The springs rub together causing a squealing noise. 6. Lightly lubricate between the spring leaves with graphite grease.

What are signs that your trucks leaf springs are damaged?

It is possible to detect a problem by standing on a level surface. Using a level, see if one side of the rear of your vehicle is lower than the other. If it is low on one side, have a mechanic remove the wheels and perform a more thorough inspection. He can clean the spring leaves with a wire brush to remove dirt, rust and see if there are any signs of wear or cracks. If this is the case, the leaf springs must be replaced.

A faulty suspension system not only decreases the load carrying capacity of the vehicle, it can also be extremely dangerous. If the leaf springs break completely and your axle is loose, you risk damaging it considerably with your truck’s frame. A failure of this nature can also impact the condition of various other systems and parts, resulting in much more expensive repairs or total loss of the vehicle.

Lames de ressort, Ressorts Industriels Laval - C.T.-Cam inc.

So, at the end of the day, how do you know if your heavy truck needs new leaf springs?

At Ressorts Industriels Laval, we offer a range of leaf spring replacement options depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

If your leaf springs have only lasted a short time, due to heavy use, you may want to talk to one of our leaf spring experts. Standard leaf springs on a truck are only designed to support a certain weight. If you regularly carry heavy loads, it can affect the wear on your blades. Our more rugged blade options are designed to increase the heavy load carrying capacity of a trailer truck.