NEW REPLACEMENT

Issue 21/2018 LEAF SPRINGS

SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, , TOWBARS AND ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS

Leaf Springs What to look for when servicing Leaf Springs: Leaf Springs are a common form of spring mainly Vehicles fitted with leaf springs can naturally produce a suited to light commercial vehicles. Their design and harsher ride, however if a customer complains about the operation have remained relatively constant over time ride, always investigate. Several problems can occur: with only small variations to modernise the ride quality • Broken centre bolt: this may result in decentralised and carrying capacity. Leaf Springs are usually found on steering wheel and a dislocated . solid or live axle vehicles particularly station wagons and utilities (single and double cab). • Broken or missing leaves: this may cause a decreased ride height and possible noises. Leaf Springs perform two functions: • Sagged due to material fatigue or excessive • Provide load carrying; and overloading: the material loses its elasticity and shape • Locate other components such as live . and, its ability to carry weight decreases. The ride quality may also diminish. The advantages of Leaf Springs are: • Shackle bushes wear: this may result in increased • their ability to carry heavy loads; noise and decreased ride comfort. Excessive force on • they can be set to specific heights; the back section of the spring can also occur. • they can vary in rate, and be designed with • Inter leaf insulators worn or missing: this may cause progressive qualities; and decreased ride comfort, increased noise and excessive friction wear on the leaves. • the can locate other components • Front spring eye bush: this may result in axle Some disadvantages of Leaf Springs are: misalignment, excessive differential movement under • they are heavy and increase the unsprung weight; brakes and acceleration. • they are not space efficient; • inter-leaf friction can be noisy and cause poor ride characteristics; and • they are prone to excessive wear due to a large quantity of moving components.

Straight advice, specialists you understand and... NEW REPLACEMENT

Issue 21/2018 LEAF SPRINGS

SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS

Shackles bent or worn Loose “U” Bolts, witness marks on the housing Broken or missing “Wraps”

Broken, loose or missing Shackle bushes centre bolts

Worn front bushes

Inter-leaf friction insulation Front eye intact - not open

Broken or missing The “Undercutting” of leaves leaves

Figure 1. Problems that can occur in leaf springs

Explanation of Second Stage Springs Pedders “Variable Load” Packs The second stage is commonly called the overload For most dual cab vehicles on our roads today, ride stage. This will usually become active under heavy loads comfort versus load carrying capacity is always a or over rougher terrains. The second stage is located compromise. Customers are requesting better ride beneath the main pack. It is generally made of tapered characteristic from their load carrying dual cab utes. thicker material and can have a “negative” camber. The Through innovation in design, Pedders have developed second stage is designed to make contact with the main Leaf Springs that when fitted with specifically valved pack under excessive deflection and provide support to Cellular Foam Shocks, can improve ride quality and its’ ride and load carrying abilities. The ride height of the vehicle load carrying capabilities. vehicle will noticeably decrease when the second stage is being utilised. The modern dual cab utilities are used as both a work horse and a family vehicle. These spring designs have the requirements to fulfil dual roles.

Straight advice, specialists you understand and... PRODUCT NEW PRODUCTS REVIEW NOW IN STOCK LEAF SPRINGS

HOW DOES THE VARIABLE SPRING WORK?

Inter-leaf Anti Friction Pads

Varying dimensions in the laminate

NEW REPLACEMENT

Issue 21/2018 LEAF SPRINGS Formed Taper or the “Application Specific” SHOCK ABSORBER, camber SUSPENSION, in the second BRAKES, stage. TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS

The selected range of Leaf Springs offer: Features and Benefits of Pedders Variable • Improved rideInter quality leaf friction in laden is created and unladen with the situations leaves flexing throughLoad Leafnormal Spring suspension travel, as a consequence a firmer ride may be experienced. With the fitment as to O.E.M.of recommendations “Inter Leaf anti friction pads” this reduces the resistance• The fitment to movement of “Inter-Leaf and therefore Anti Friction will improve Pads” the reduces quality of ride. the resistance to movement and therefore will improve • Increased articulationThe more supple with a ride raised is also ride affected height byof the30 tothickness of the laminates, by varying the dimensions of the leaves a more comfortable ride can be achieved. 40mm the quality of ride. With the formed taper or the “Application Specific” cambering placed into the overload, increased travel can be achieved, thus increasing the travel before • Increased spring rate from O.E. PRODUCT• The comfort of the ride is affected by the thickness the primary pack comes into contact with the secondary of the or laminates. over load sectionA more of comfortable the spring. ride can be • Innovation in design and construction achieved by varying the dimensions of the leaves. NEW PRODUCTS • REVIEWWith “application specific” cambering placed into Tapered Cut Ends The nextthe innovation second stage was to leaves, “Diamond increased cut” travel can be the ends achieved, of the leaves thereby to a increasing taper. the travel before the This allowsprimary for improvedpack comes articulation into contact properties with the secondary of the leafpack. spring when travelling over uneven undulating• Diamond road surfaces.shaped cuts This onprocess the ends of the leaves form NOW IN STOCK allows afor taper. increased This allows flex of thefor improvedleaf ends. articulation of the leaf spring providing further ride comfort. The range is availableLEAF for the currentSPRINGS models of: • Ford Ranger • Mitsubishi Triton To improve the ride even more, it is • Holden Colorado • Nissan Navara HOW DOES THE VARIABLE SPRING WORK?recommended to replace the shocks Figure 2. Tapered cut ends • Isuzu D Max • Toyotawith Hilux the 153000 series Pedders foam of a Leaf Spring • Mazda BT50 • VW Amarokcell shocks, which have a softer damping rate to complement the Pedders Variable Leaf Springs. Inter-leaf Anti Friction Pads All photos used are for illustrative purpose only. For further information please contact your local Pedders Suspension specialist or check out www.pedders.com.au Note: See our Pedders Suspension catalogue for up to date information.

Varying dimensions in the laminate

Formed Taper or the “Application Specific” camber in the second stage.

Figure 3. Pedders Variable Load Leaf Spring

Inter leaf friction is created with the leaves flexing through normal suspension travel, as a consequence a firmer ride may be experienced. With the fitment of “Inter Leaf anti friction pads” this reduces the resistanceStraight to movementadvice, specialists and therefore willyou improve understand the quality and... of ride. The more supple ride is also affected by the thickness of the laminates, by varying the dimensions of the leaves a more comfortable ride can be achieved.

With the formed taper or the “Application Specific” cambering placed into the overload, increased travel can be achieved, thus increasing the travel before the primary pack comes into contact with the secondary or over load section of the spring.

Tapered Cut Ends The next innovation was to “Diamond cut” the ends of the leaves to a taper. This allows for improved articulation properties of the leaf spring when travelling over uneven undulating road surfaces. This process allows for increased flex of the leaf ends.

To improve the ride even more, it is recommended to replace the shocks with the 153000 series Pedders foam cell shocks, which have a softer damping rate to complement the Pedders Variable Leaf Springs.

All photos used are for illustrative purpose only. For further information please contact your local Pedders Suspension specialist or check out www.pedders.com.au Note: See our Pedders Suspension catalogue for up to date information. NEW REPLACEMENT

Issue 21/2018 LEAF SPRINGS

SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS

Pedders TrakRyder Leaf Spring Designs TrakRyder Raised Height Variable Leaf Spring Explained • 40mm Raised Ride Height Pedders range of Leaf Springs offer a 2 year 40,000km • Greatly Enhanced Ride Quality nationwide warranty and are available in the following designs: • Interleaf Friction Pads • TrakRyder Standard Height Variable Leaf Spring • Redesigned Springs Rates • TrakRyder Raised Height Variable Leaf Spring • Eye Bushes On Selected Part Numbers • TrakRyder Raised Height 0-300Kgs Leaf Spring • Improved Load Carrying Characteristics • TrakRyder Raised Height 300Kgs to GVM Leaf Spring • Varying Laminate Thickness • TrakRyder Raised Height 300Kgs to GVM Leaf Spring • High Grade Steel Lets now discuss each design in greater detail. • Tapered Cut Ends TrakRyder Standard Height Variable Leaf Spring • Standard Ride Height • Greatly Enhanced Ride Quality • Interleaf Friction Pads • Redesigned Springs Rates TrakRyder Raised Height 0-300Kgs Leaf • Eye Bushes On Selected Part Numbers Spring • 40mm Raised Ride Height • Improved Load Carrying Characteristics • 0-300 Kgs Load Design • Varying Laminate Thickness • Interleaf Friction Pads • High Grade Steel • Redesigned Springs Rates • Tapered Cut Ends • Eye Bushes On Selected Part Numbers • Improved Load Carrying Characteristics • Varying Laminate Thickness • High Grade Steel • Tapered Cut Ends

Straight advice, specialists you understand and... NEW REPLACEMENT

Issue 21/2018 LEAF SPRINGS

SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS

TrakRyder Raised Height 300Kgs to GVM TrakRyder Raised Height with Constant Leaf Spring 400Kgs To GVM Load Leaf Spring • 40mm Raised Ride Height • 40mm Raised Ride Height • 300Kg to GVM Load Design • 400Kgs to GVM Constant Load Design • Interleaf Friction Pads • Interleaf Friction Pads • Redesigned Springs Rates • Redesigned Springs Rates • Eye Bushes On Selected Part Numbers • Eye Bushes On Selected Part Numbers • Improved Load Carrying Characteristics • Improved Load Carrying Characteristics • Varying Laminate Thickness • Designed for Variable Loads • High Grade Steel • High Grade Steel • Tapered Cut Ends • Tapered Cut Ends

Most popular utes run a rear leaf spring suspension setup. The challenge is mating the right leaf spring design for the driving purpose.

Straight advice, specialists you understand and...