Suspension systems contain many parts that are easily overlooked at first glance. Leaf spring pads and spacers can be easily forgotten when building a list of parts for a leaf spring replacement job, but they should not be ignored. Leaf spring spacers and pads perform essential jobs in the suspension system and should be replaced if they have damage or wear.
What are Leaf Spring Spacers?
Leaf spring spacers are used to adjust the ride height on heavy-duty trucks and trailers. These spacer blocks will be available in multiple heights to allow for different final ride height options. The blocks will be placed on the bottom of the leaf spring between the spring and the axle, and they may be tapered to set the caster angle of the axle. Caster is the angle of the king pin, and it can affect the straight-line stability of the truck. Leaf spring spacer blocks will be application-specific as they need to interact with the spring and the axle securely. The clamping force of the U-bolts holds the block in place when they are properly torqued.
What are Leaf Spring Pads?
Leaf spring pads are used in some suspensions where the spring will ride to control wear and cushion the ride. The pads may be centered on the spring and cushion the suspension where the spring clamps or the spring pads may be on the ends of the spring to cushion the end of a slipper type spring where there is no eye. Spring pads will be made out of a softer material like rubber or urethane, so they will be expected to wear over time. When changing springs, the spring pads should be inspected and replaced if any wear is present.