Editing Leaf spring (section)

===Characteristics===
[[File:Rear axle assembly, 1930s British motor car.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.5|Each side of this rear axle is suspended by a leaf spring. The front eye of each leaf spring is secured to the frame; the rear eye is attached by a shackle that pivots to allow the spring to lengthen as it flexes.]]
The two ends of a leaf spring usually are formed into round eyes or eyelets, through which a fastener connects each end of the spring to the [[vehicle frame]] or [[Body-on-frame|body]]. Some springs terminated in a concave end, called a ''spoon end'' (seldom used now), to carry a swivelling member instead. One eye is usually fixed but allowed to pivot with the motion of the spring, whereas the other eye is fastened to a hinge mechanism that allows that end to pivot and undergo limited movement. A leaf spring can either be attached directly to the [[Frame (vehicle)|frame]] at both eyes or attached directly at one end, usually the front, with the other end attached through a shackle: a short swinging arm. The shackle takes up the tendency of the leaf spring to elongate when compressed and thus makes the suspension softer. The shackle provides some degree of flexibility to the leaf spring so that it does not fail when subjected to heavy loads. The axle is usually fastened to the middle of the spring by [[U-bolt]]s.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stockel |first1=Martin W. |last2=Stockel |first2=Martin T. |last3=Johanson |first3=Chris |title=Auto Fundamentals |date=1996 |publisher=The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc. |location=Tinley Park |isbn=1566371384 |page=455}}</ref>

The leaf spring acts as a linkage to hold the axle in position and thus separate linkages are not necessary. The result is a suspension that is simple and strong. Inter-leaf friction dampens the spring's motion and reduces rebound, which, until [[Shock absorber|shock absorbers]] were widely adopted, was a very significant advantage over [[coil spring|helical springs]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Springs – A simple study of car suspension |journal=The Automotor Journal |date=August 10, 1912 |pages=936–937 |url=https://archive.org/details/TheAutomotorJournal2ndHalf1904/page/n171/mode/2up}}</ref> However, because the leaf spring is also serving to hold the axle in position, soft springs—i.e. springs with low spring constant—are not suitable. The consequent stiffness, in addition to inter-leaf friction, makes this type of suspension not particularly comfortable for the riders.{{cn|date=February 2022}}