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Besides the innovative work in the commercial vehicles sector, where there is an ever growing competition, lighter, more comfortable, safer, and more robust products are also being developed through optimization of design parameters of currently available systems. This study explains the possible effects of changing the design parameters of leaf springs on a vehicle's driving dynamics, which has a significant effect on the total weight of the vehicle. These effects include the vehicle's suspension specifications and the suspension system's interaction with the steering system. A virtual vehicle model is analyzed under the loads gathered in road tests, to measure the stress levels on the spring layers and the movement of the leaf spring depending on the limits determined by the vehicle manufacturer. Furthermore, the conformity of the movement of the front axles in connection with the leaf spring with the steering system is also analyzed.

Leaf springs are mainly used for absorbing energy associated with road outputs and they release energy coming from the road. If the complete leaf stiffness and each leaf stress distribution can be calculated carefully, while ensuring safety, required ride comfort will also be maintained. The desired vehicle ride height (attitude) under load must be taken into consideration during calculations of leaf spring design. In addition to providing the loads coming from the vehicle, leaf springs are significantly controllers of windup effects. Braking windup causes rotation at the lateral axis. When vertical F jounce load and braking moment are applied to the leaf spring simultaneously, von misses stress value on leafs will increase to a higher level which is very close to and sometimes higher than the tensile strength. The designers must ensure safety and endurance for any case during working conditions. The most critical point is front axle windup stopper position.