Difference between coil spring & leaf spring kits.

Suspension components vary depending on make, model and design of the vehicle. With certain vehicles, mostly bakkies, you will find that the suspension consists of long blades or leaves that are stacked on top of one another and connected with shackles to the vehicle.

This is known as leaf spring suspension and used mostly with vehicles that take a large amount of punishment.

When in a situation where the vehicle is under load the leaf springs may straighten out under pressure causing the back of the vehicle to sag resulting in safety risk by means of the vehicle snaking as well as the vehicles lights that have now changed angle and affecting those driving in front of it.

Load is usually cause by towing, loading the back of the vehicle with heavier than normal objects or customizing the rear of the vehicle to accommodate camp equipment, etc.

In this instance the type of air helper you would use would be the large black rubber bellow or convoluted air spring as per below: (Image depicted below is merely an example and might not be the exact air spring for your vehicle)

Each air spring kit for leafspring vehicles would have varying bracketry and fittings. Ensure that you choose the correct kit for your vehicle.

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Other offroad and passenger vehicles, more the SUV style of vehicle, would use a coil spring which is exactly as the name describes. The type of air helper used here would then fit snugly into the coil to assist with load and load levelling. In some cases, these air helper coil kits would integrate spacers depending on the type of vehicle.

The coil spring kit would vary in diameter and length depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle. The suspension type would also change the style of kit you would use. You would need a different style air helper if you have raised suspension in comparison to standard suspension.

How to measure your coil springs for a helper kit (If unlisted)

Measure the internal length of the coil (as above) from base to top (usually bump stop is removed so measuring from the base of the bump stop is best.

Measure the internal diameter of the coil (as above) and with the length and diameter there should be a kit available for you. Contact us on [email protected] for assistance with a kit with the dimensions you require.