Useful Tips That Can Help In Optimizing Leaf Spring Suspension

For expedition travel, it is essential that the vehicle possesses strong suspension in order to carry the load of the travel equipment and for ensuring a smooth ride on bumpy roads. A strong suspension can effectively prevent possible damage to the vehicle from being driven in difficult conditions. 

Steps to optimize leaf spring suspension

Land Rovers are preferred vehicles among expedition travellers. In order to ensure a smooth expedition, it is important to optimize the leaf spring suspension of the vehicle. This can be done in the following two ways:

Choosing the appropriate Land Rover leaf spring

Heavy duty leaf springs are usually suitable for vehicles carrying heavy loads. In order to ensure a smooth ride, it is essential to choose the appropriate leaf spring for the vehicle. Leaf springs that have ratings near the maximum capacity of the vehicle tend to provide the best road surface response.

If the weight of the spring is reduced from the maximum capacity rating or heavier springs are used, it may cause the springs to stiffen. This may make them less responsive to road conditions.
Picking the appropriate Land Rover leaf springs on the basis of the actual weight to be carried off road can help in optimizing the leaf spring suspension. For choosing the correct spring, it is advisable to weigh the Land Rover loaded with all travel equipment and supplies. Weighing the front and back wheels separately can provide weights of both the front and rear axles.

On the basis of these weights, springs may be chosen for the front and rear axles. It is essential to ensure that the springs have a maximum rate greater than Land Rover’s axle weights. These considerations can ensure a smooth ride and can efficiently handle the off road driving requirements. The Land Rover manufactured springs offer five rear spring that have different rates.

Minimizing friction between spring leafs

Once the appropriate leaf springs have been chosen, the next step involves minimizing friction between separate leaves. Polyethylene plastic may be suitable for this purpose as it provides low friction surface but is more resistant to punctures and abrasion. It acts as a sound dampener and eliminates the noise caused by movements of adjacent parts in the vehicle.

For minimizing friction, the plastic tape is stuck to the top of each leaf. The plastic tape helps in reducing friction between the adjacent leaves and enhances the efficiency of the spring to respond to bumps on the road. This ensures a smooth ride and also checks the noise from the adjacent parts.

Few other factors to consider for leaf spring optimization include:

• The length of the leaf spring defines its bending capacity and can ensure better articulation.
• Centring the wheel arch axles, sparing the spring mounts results in uneven tension on spring halves and hence reduces spring wrap.
• Installing poly bushings instead of rubber bushings can be beneficial as they are easy to replace in case of damage.

Spring leaf optimization provides a number of benefits and ensures a hassle free and smooth ride.