As an important component of the automotive suspension system, the leaf spring is responsible for cushioning vibrations, transmitting loads, and stabilizing the vehicle . Its performance relates to our driving safety directly. As we can see,the traffic accidents caused by broken leaf springs have occurred in many places, so it is important to know how to check leaf springs problems in our daily life.
Inspect its appearance is the foundation to detect problems, we are supposed to focus on deformation and damage. The repair experts stated that when the vehicle is stationary, we can first observe whether the leaf spring has obvious deformation such as bending or twisting; under normal circumstances, it should remain flat and symmetrical. At the same time, we should be careful to check the surface of the spring leaves—if there are cracks, gaps, or severe wear, we should repair it timely. In addition, connecting components cannot be ignored. If fasteners such as U-bolts and spring clamps are loose, deformed, or broken, it will cause uneven force on the leaf spring, which in turn leads to failures. Each fastener’s tightness should be checked one by one.
Performance testing is a key part in judging whether the leaf spring is invalid.When the vehicle passes through bumpy roads, if there is abnormal vibration,noise, or obvious body tilt, it may be caused by weakened elasticity or breakage of the leaf spring. In addition, the vehicle’s ground clearance can be measured to assist judgment. If the ground clearance on one or both sides is significantly reduced, it is likely that the spring leaves are fatigued and deformed, requiring further inspection. For load-bearing vehicles, it is also necessary to observe the compression degree of the leaf spring under full load. If the compression amount is too large and the recovery is slow, it indicates that its load-bearing capacity has decreased, posing a safety hazard.
Experts specifically remind that daily inspections should also pay attention to lubrication and rust conditions. Insufficient lubrication between leaf spring leaves will cause dry friction, accelerate component wear, and may be accompanied by abnormal noise. If the spring is in a humid environment for a long time, it is prone to rust, which will seriously weaken the structural strength. It is recommended to regularly clean debris on the spring surface, check the lubrication status, add grease when necessary, and prevent rust on rusted parts.
Some people said that the service life of leaf springs is closely related to using habits. Avoiding some bad behaviors such as overloading, sudden braking, and forced passage through rough roads can effectively reduce component wear. Owners should develop the habit of regular inspections, especially for frequently used commercial vehicles, which need to shorten the inspection cycle. Problems should be repaired and replaced in a timely manner, and no chance should be taken to ensure driving safety.
Post time: Jan-19-2026
