Leaf Springs & Suspension Authority Since 1965!

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Like many auto parts, a leaf spring is one of those items on a vehicle you never know you need until it breaks or wears down!

For centuries, we've been spoiled with the luxury of relatively smooth transportation. This is all thanks to the brilliant invention of leaf springs. Without them, you'd feel every little bump in the road. 

Want to know more about how these components offer such an easy ride? Below, learn how leaf springs work and find out about some of their most significant applications. 

What Is a Leaf Spring? Leaf Springs Defined 

Leaf Springs

Leaf springs provide a suspension system for vehicles. Originating in medieval times, they were first called carriage or laminated springs. The leaf spring system is tried and true, used on almost all vehicles up until the 1970s. Today, leaf springs are most useful for trucks and vans hauling heavy loads.

The spring leaf is an arc-shaped, slender piece of steel, stacked with the same material in smaller sizes and bolted together. Its construction creates a reinforced bow-like item. It is then attached to the rear axle and the chassis. It provides support to any weight added to a vehicle, preventing the axle from buckling in and snapping from the pressure of an extreme amount of weight it was not designed to carry.

What Does a Leaf Spring Do?

The overall purpose of a leaf spring is to provide support for a vehicle. It also creates a smoother ride, absorbing any bumps or potholes in the road. Additionally, leaf springs are used to locate the axle, control the height at which the vehicle rides and keep the tires aligned on the road.

Because of their benefits, leaf springs are in high demand. Casual transportation is just one way leaf springs have contributed to our transportation industry. These days, leaf springs are more popular with heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, SUVs and vans.

Farming

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You could say the idea of using leaf springs to support farm equipment inspired their inventionAs mentioned above, leaf springs were widespread in medieval times, back when agriculture was the major industry leader. Improvements like the leaf spring made it easier and faster for farmers to haul and transport goods for trade. Although the leaf spring's design has improved over the years, the same concept is still used in today's farming. 

With today's high-tech, expensive farm equipment, leaf springs are more important than ever before. They absorb the load's weight, which removes the burden from the axle and extends the agricultural equipment's life span. 

Industrial Equipment

Without leaf springs, construction vehicles would not be able to tote heavy loads. Leaf springs allow construction vehicles to carry heavy items like brick, stone, concrete and other massive materials. A vehicle's size is largely unimportant. Unless it's designed to support overbearing loads, it will not carry out its duty, resulting in breakdowns and unnecessary costs.

In addition to transporting construction items, leaf springs are also beneficial for operating machinery in areas that tend to receive high amounts of snow. High volumes of snow can get heavy once they freezeEquipping your truck with heavy-duty leaf springs will alleviate any unnecessary stress, making it last through the winter.

Trucking 

Trucks need leaf springs for hauling trailers and other equipment. Leaf springs keep the load stable and the cargo grounded. Without them, the trailer would sway and bounce, lifting off the pavement after minor bumps. This issue is why leaf springs are so critical for trucking — they promote safety on the road and protect cargo from damage. If a truck is carrying fragile or dangerous goods, these vehicle elements become especially important. 

General Spring: Holding You Up!

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General Spring has been the automotive leaf springs and suspension authority since 1965. We specialize in providing original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and heavy-duty leaf spring replacements. Shop leaf springs today and find the perfect spring for your vehicle. If you cannot find the right one, we can design a leaf spring just for your specific work haul. 

01-what-is-a-leaf-spring-.jpg

Like many auto parts, a leaf spring is one of those items on a vehicle you never know you need until it breaks or wears down!

For centuries, we've been spoiled with the luxury of relatively smooth transportation. This is all thanks to the brilliant invention of leaf springs. Without them, you'd feel every little bump in the road. 

Want to know more about how these components offer such an easy ride? Below, learn how leaf springs work and find out about some of their most significant applications. 

What Is a Leaf Spring? Leaf Springs Defined 

Leaf Springs

Leaf springs provide a suspension system for vehicles. Originating in medieval times, they were first called carriage or laminated springs. The leaf spring system is tried and true, used on almost all vehicles up until the 1970s. Today, leaf springs are most useful for trucks and vans hauling heavy loads.

The spring leaf is an arc-shaped, slender piece of steel, stacked with the same material in smaller sizes and bolted together. Its construction creates a reinforced bow-like item. It is then attached to the rear axle and the chassis. It provides support to any weight added to a vehicle, preventing the axle from buckling in and snapping from the pressure of an extreme amount of weight it was not designed to carry.

What Does a Leaf Spring Do?

The overall purpose of a leaf spring is to provide support for a vehicle. It also creates a smoother ride, absorbing any bumps or potholes in the road. Additionally, leaf springs are used to locate the axle, control the height at which the vehicle rides and keep the tires aligned on the road.

Because of their benefits, leaf springs are in high demand. Casual transportation is just one way leaf springs have contributed to our transportation industry. These days, leaf springs are more popular with heavy commercial vehicles like trucks, SUVs and vans.

Farming

02-farming.jpg

You could say the idea of using leaf springs to support farm equipment inspired their inventionAs mentioned above, leaf springs were widespread in medieval times, back when agriculture was the major industry leader. Improvements like the leaf spring made it easier and faster for farmers to haul and transport goods for trade. Although the leaf spring's design has improved over the years, the same concept is still used in today's farming. 

With today's high-tech, expensive farm equipment, leaf springs are more important than ever before. They absorb the load's weight, which removes the burden from the axle and extends the agricultural equipment's life span. 

Industrial Equipment

Without leaf springs, construction vehicles would not be able to tote heavy loads. Leaf springs allow construction vehicles to carry heavy items like brick, stone, concrete and other massive materials. A vehicle's size is largely unimportant. Unless it's designed to support overbearing loads, it will not carry out its duty, resulting in breakdowns and unnecessary costs.

In addition to transporting construction items, leaf springs are also beneficial for operating machinery in areas that tend to receive high amounts of snow. High volumes of snow can get heavy once they freezeEquipping your truck with heavy-duty leaf springs will alleviate any unnecessary stress, making it last through the winter.

Trucking 

Trucks need leaf springs for hauling trailers and other equipment. Leaf springs keep the load stable and the cargo grounded. Without them, the trailer would sway and bounce, lifting off the pavement after minor bumps. This issue is why leaf springs are so critical for trucking — they promote safety on the road and protect cargo from damage. If a truck is carrying fragile or dangerous goods, these vehicle elements become especially important. 

General Spring: Holding You Up!

03-general-spring-holding-you-up-.jpg

General Spring has been the automotive leaf springs and suspension authority since 1965. We specialize in providing original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and heavy-duty leaf spring replacements. Shop leaf springs today and find the perfect spring for your vehicle. If you cannot find the right one, we can design a leaf spring just for your specific work haul.