What Is The Ideal Time To Get Your Leaf Springs Replaced

Spring breaks due to repeated flexing over a continuous period of use. Once their life comes to an end, you would start encountering problems in it. That is the time when you need to replace them by a new one immediately.

In this article, we will the types of spring failures, factors that cause it to break and possible indications to repair or replace it. 

Types of failures in the spring

• Shock Absorbers

Damaged or missing shock absorber results into high spring that causes failure in the spring. 

• Brake Adjustments

If the brakes are improperly adjusted on an axle, then there are more burden to absorb the brake force on one spring than the other. This will eventually reduce its life.

• Protective Coatings

Corrosion on the spring reduces spring life. Use quality paints and take good care to lower the possibility of spring corrosion. 

• Surface Condition

If the surface of the spring has some defect on it, then this will lead to fatigue. Better manufacture and installation of springs reduces these defects. 

Types of spring failures

• At early stages 

Such failures occur due to a spring defect, lower quality material, faulty installation, improper manufacturing processes or overload. 

• At middle stages 

Problems related to its operation can arise due to continuous use. Regular maintenance and servicing will keep it in the best condition. 

• At later stages 

You would notice a significant amount of spring failures occurring at frequent intervals of time. Spring steel could get corroded or fatigue. This would indicate that the spring can’t be used anymore.  

The right time to get the spring repaired

Below are mentioned some indications when you would repair the heavy duty leaf springs. 

• The spring has not been repaired once.

• If the mileage of the spring is less than half of its normal life.

• If the repair cost is less than half of the cost of a new spring.

• If not more than two or three leaves of the spring are broken.

• Cases where the failure does not appear to be of a fatigue type. For example: If a spring leaf gets broken through the centre hole due to faulty spring clamping by use of loose U-bolts or damaged axle seats and not due to fatigue. In such cases, one should repair the spring and the cause of its failure should be corrected.

Thus springs can break due to the variety of reasons. If you see any of these signs in your spring, then take it as an indication that your spring needs to be replaced.