HYUNDAI H1

Despite its name, a leaf spring serves multiple purposes. Its main function is to link the axle and chassis, making it a crucial component.

The leaf spring is responsible for keeping the axle in the correct direction.

The leaf spring is a crucial component of the suspension system, which typically includes the following main parts:

• Leaf spring
• Shock absorber
• Bump stop
• Stabilizer bar

The suspension system is composed of these parts, which work together to maximize tire-road contact.

Although leaf spring suspension is over 150 years old, it is not outdated.

Leaf springs are commonly used in the following vehicles nowadays:

• Heavy-duty trucks and trailers: 60% - 70% of these vehicles having leaf springs on their axles (front and/or rear).
• Light commercial vehicles 3-7 tons: 90% of these vehicles have leaf springs on the rear axles and 10-20% also on the front axles.
• Pickup Trucks: 90% of successful pickup truck brands use leaf springs, mainly traditional multi-leaf springs.

The spring steels commonly used for producing leaf springs in modern European vehicles are:

• 51CrV4: contains 0,51% Carbon, 1,1% Chromium and 0,2% Vanadium (mainly for parabolic leaf springs)
• 55Cr3: contains 0,51% Carbon, 0,7% Chromium and 0,7% Manganese (mainly for conventional leaf springs depending on cross sections)

Leaf spring breakages in Ford Transit can have several causes, and it can be difficult to determine the exact root cause.

• Micro cracks on the surface can originate from production or mechanical damage during assembly or usage
• Non-metallic inclusions are compound materials embedded inside steel during the manufacturing process
• Improper heat treatment process
• Surface decarbonization can occur when repairing leaf springs
• Corrosion that begins on the surface of the steel will spread throughout the material
• Breakage on the leaf spring center hole: U-bolts were not tightened to the specified torque
• Breakage on the leaf spring eye may be caused by a production failure
• Continuous overloading of the vehicle
• Intensive/extreme suspension usage due to poor road conditions
• Design mistakes by vehicle manufacturers

Overall, if the leaf spring on your Ford Transit is broken, you cannot blame yourself for any mistakes. However, you must purchase a new leaf spring as soon as possible.

There are six main criteria to consider when deciding whether you can drive your Ford Transit with a broken leaf spring:

1. Where (in which position) did the leaf spring break?
2. Is the leaf spring a single leaf or a spring pack with multiple leaves?
3. If your spring has multiple leaves, which leaf is broken?
4. Is your vehicle loaded or empty?
5. Does your vehicle have a stabilizer bar?
6. Are you willing to take a risk?

The most dangerous combination is when the single leaf (mono leaf) spring, or the main leaf of a spring pack, is broken between the axle and front fixing point, and the vehicle does not have a stabilizer bar.

In some cases, if the main spring leaf is not broken or if it is just another spring leaf that is broken, the vehicle can still be used for a certain amount of time, but without carrying significant loads.

Leaf springs can have problems, other than just breakages.

• The main issue is usually that the leaf spring is too weak, causing the rear of the vehicle to sag or sway.
• Weak leaf spring design is a common issue, especially when the vehicle is carrying its maximum payload.
• The leaf spring may weaken after a few months of use, which is often due to a production issue.
• Furthermore, leaf springs may produce squeaking noises during operation.
• Leaf spring suspensions may be too harsh for some users, especially if the vehicle is not carrying any cargo.

Our Online Shop offers four options for selecting and ordering leaf springs for your Ford Transit:

• If you know the article number (OEM number) of the leaf spring, you can find it directly in the online shop.
• Submit the data of your Ford Transit as an online inquiry.
• To order the appropriate leaf spring for your Ford Transit, provide the production year and number of spring leaves.
• If you measure the main dimensions of your Ford Transit leaf spring, we can offer a matching replacement.

Note: If you are unsure whether the suspension (leaf spring) of your second-hand Ford Transit has been modified, you can send a photo of your current leaf spring.

70% of our customers do not buy leaf springs in pairs and it rarely happens that they have to buy the 2nd leaf spring to the other side. However, it may be necessary to purchase Ford Transit leaf springs in pairs in certain cases:

• The vehicle is old and the non-broken leaf spring is weak.
• The vehicle was driven with a broken leaf spring for an extended period of time.
• Companies that aim to reduce risk and minimize service downtime typically prefer to replace both leaf springs.

U-bolts are responsible for securely attaching the leaf springs to the axle, making them a crucial component.

• M8: 35 Nm
• M10: 75 Nm
• M12: 130 Nm
• M14: 200 Nm
• M16: 315 Nm
• M18: 440 Nm
• M20: 610 Nm
• M22: 830 Nm

These values apply to U-bolt thread surfaces that are free of oil or grease.