Are leaf springs still used?
Yes. Leaf springs remain in use today, especially for heavy‑duty and commercial applications where durability and payload capacity matter more than ride refinement.
Leaf springs are among the oldest suspension components. They consist of stacked curved metal leaves that flex between the axle and chassis. They provide a simple, rugged, and relatively low-cost solution with strong load-carrying capability. While many modern passenger cars favor coil springs or air suspensions for smoother rides, leaf springs endure in sectors where ruggedness and straightforward maintenance are valued—such as work trucks, trailers, and some off‑road or specialty vehicles. The design has evolved as well, with advancements like parabolic leaves and optimized stack configurations that improve ride without sacrificing strength.
Where leaf springs are still in use
Leaf-spring suspensions persist in several practical categories where durability and payload are priorities. The following examples illustrate where they are commonly found today.
- Rear suspensions on many heavy-duty pickups and commercial trucks, where leaf stacks provide strong load-carrying capacity and robustness.
- Trailers, semi-trailers, and agricultural equipment, where simple, rugged suspension supports heavy and varied loads with easy maintenance.
- Vans, buses, and other high‑mile transport vehicles in markets where cost and durability trump the ride‑quality advantages of alternative suspensions.
- Off‑road and utility vehicles that use solid axles with leaf springs to maximize durability and ease of repair in remote or harsh environments.
- Classic car restorations and certain retro modernizations that retain traditional leaf‑spring designs for authenticity or compatibility with legacy parts.
In practice, leaf-spring suspensions remain a default choice where the needs of load-bearing ability, ruggedness, and straightforward maintenance outweigh the desire for a smoother ride or independent handling.
Benefits and limitations
Advantages
Leaf springs offer several practical advantages for the right role.
- Simple, robust geometry with few moving parts, making them easy to manufacture and maintain.
- High load-carrying capacity and good load distribution across the axle, aiding towing and hauling.
- Low cost to manufacture, service, and replace compared with more complex multi-link or air-suspension systems.
- Predictable ride height and durable performance in tough conditions, with less risk of air leaks or failure in rugged environments.
- Compatibility with traditional solid-axle configurations common in heavy‑duty vehicles.
In short, when payload, durability, and cost matter more than ultimate ride refinement, leaf springs are still a practical option.
Limitations
There are notable downsides that limit leaf springs' appeal in many other applications.
- Ride quality and handling can be less refined than coil or air suspensions, especially on varied road surfaces.
- Higher unsprung weight and potential axle wrap under heavy acceleration or braking, which can affect traction and comfort.
- Friction between leaves and wear over time can cause noise and reduced ride quality if not properly lubricated and maintained.
- Limited ability to tailor ride characteristics for comfort or handling without swapping leaf stack configurations.
- Heavier and bulkier packaging than some modern independent suspensions, potentially constraining design flexibility.
Despite these drawbacks, leaf springs remain a viable choice where their strengths align with vehicle requirements.
Alternatives and design trends
Automakers increasingly favor independent suspension, coil springs, and air-spring technologies for passenger cars, but leaf springs persist in specific markets and lines.
- Coil springs paired with independent suspension systems, which generally improve ride quality and handling in light- to mid-weight vehicles.
- Air or variable-rate springs that can adjust ride height and stiffness for load flexibility and comfort in select pickups and SUVs.
- Modern leaf designs such as parabolic or composite leaves to improve ride and reduce weight while preserving load capacity.
- Hybrid configurations that combine leaf springs with dampers and anti‑roll bars to balance load capacity and handling.
- Trailer suspensions that retain leaf springs for cost and durability, often complemented by damping or newer axle options in newer segments.
Overall, while leaf springs remain an option, the industry is leaning toward approaches that offer better ride comfort and handling, especially in passenger vehicles and light trucks.
Summary
Leaf springs are not relics of the past. They continue to play a crucial role in heavy‑duty, commercial, trailer, and certain off‑road contexts, where rugged reliability and payload capacity trump ride finesse. For most everyday passenger cars, engineers favor coil- or air-based suspensions, but the leaf spring remains a durable, cost‑effective choice in the modern automotive landscape.
Which is better, coil or leaf spring?
Neither leaf springs nor coil springs are definitively "better"; the superior choice depends on the application. Leaf springs are better for heavy-duty work like hauling and towing because they are sturdier and have a higher load capacity. Coil springs are generally better for ride comfort and performance driving, as they provide a more flexible and comfortable ride with better off-road articulation.
Leaf springs
- Best for: Heavy loads, durability, and simplicity.
- Pros:
- Handle heavy loads exceptionally well.
- Durable and have a simpler design.
- Can act as a suspension and a locating link for the axle.
- Easier to repair individual leaves.
- Provide a stable, planted feel.
- Cons:
- Less flexible, leading to a rougher ride.
- Compromise handling during cornering compared to coils.
- Offer less wheel articulation for off-roading.
- More difficult to tune or adjust.
Coil springs
- Best for: Ride comfort, performance driving, and off-road articulation.
- Pros:
- Provide superior ride comfort due to greater flexibility.
- Offer better handling and articulation, especially in off-road situations.
- Are more compact and easier to tune for performance.
- Less prone to friction.
- Cons:
- Generally cannot handle as much weight as leaf springs.
- Can be less durable and are more expensive to retrofit.
- Can be more susceptible to side-to-side sway when under a heavy load.
- Cannot be repaired if cracked; they must be replaced entirely.
Do any cars still use leaf springs?
Today leaf springs are still used in heavy commercial vehicles such as vans and trucks, SUVs, and railway carriages. For heavy vehicles, they have the advantage of spreading the load more widely over the vehicle's chassis, whereas coil springs transfer it to a single point.
Why do modern trucks still use leaf springs?
In the world of vehicle performance and comfort, the suspension system plays a key role, with leaf springs standing out as a crucial component. These robust springs are the backbone of many trucks, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, providing essential support for a smoother ride and more controlled towing experience.
What are the downsides of leaf springs?
The ride comfort isn't as great because of the inter-leaf friction between each leaf. Over time, the springs tend to lose shape and can sag. When the sag is uneven, it can alter the cross weight of the vehicle which can affect the handling slightly. This can also change the axle-to-mount angle.
