The suspension is essential to delivering excellent handling, stability and comfort to your vehicle. One component which is crucial to the suspension system is the springs. The springs are specifically designed to cope with various road surfaces and irregularities. This ensures a stable and comfortable ride for you and your passengers. 

Discover more about suspension springs and how they work on your car or van in our informative guide. 

What are suspension springs? 

Suspension springs support your vehicle’s weight while providing a smooth driving experience. Most suspension springs are made from steel, copper and titanium, which expand and compress while your car or van moves. You can find the springs between the vehicle’s frame and suspension components, like the axle or control arms.  

Why are suspension springs important? 

Springs are a necessary component of your van or car’s suspension system as it ensures: 

• The tyres maintain consistent contact with the road as it is essential for braking and vehicle control. 

• Minimise body roll, thus contributing to improved handling, particularly on tight turns and roundabouts. 

• Improve ride comfort, allowing your van or car to absorb various road irregularities, such as speed humps and potholes. 

How do suspension springs work? 

Typically, suspension springs absorb various road surfaces and obstacles while supporting the overall weight of your van or car. For example, if your car goes over a speed hump, the spring compresses, absorbing the energy generated as the spring returns to its original position. The springs ensure your vehicle has a stable and comfortable driving experience. 

Which types of suspension springs are used on your vehicle? 

There are many suspension spring types which are used on various vehicles, such as: 

• Coil springs – Many vehicles use coil springs where the spring resembles a spiral staircase. This type of suspension spring is made from a series of metal coils and is renowned for its durability and reliability.  

• Leaf springs – Most light commercial, heavy goods and older vehicles have leaf springs. Typically, a leaf spring consists of several layers of metal leaves stacked together. These springs are well-suited to handle heavy loads while providing excellent weight distribution. 

• Torsion springs – Sports cars and vehicles with independent rear suspension systems use torsion springs. A torsion spring works by rotating or twisting, allowing it to handle well around corners. 

• Air springs – Several luxury cars use air springs (airbags) to deliver a smooth ride. Air springs allow for plenty of customisation, which is based on load capacity and comfort. This means you can adjust the springs to suit your ride experience. 

How often should suspension springs be replaced? 

Ideally, the suspension springs on your vehicle should be replaced after 80,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on wear and tear. We advise having your suspension system checked by a specialist every 50,000 miles to ensure your vehicle’s suspension continues to provide an excellent driving experience. 

Replace your leaf springs with Midland Road Springs 

Do your leaf springs need replacing? At Midland Road Springs, we inspect, replace and fit leaf springs. With nearly four decades of experience, our leaf spring specialists have upgraded and replaced leaf springs for hundreds and thousands of vehicles. Browse our leaf spring collection online, alongside our heavy-duty and light commercial leaf springs. For any information about our leaf springs, contact our expert team today.