Understanding Suspension Springs for Sprinter Vans

Ever wonder how the weight of your entire van’s body is able to “hover” above the wheels? You can thank your springs for that. Springs are the base of every vehicle’s suspension system and they play a critical role in supporting heavy adventure vans like yours.

There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what suspension springs are, what they do, and when they need to be replaced. This article aims to cover all of those topics and give a few product suggestions for you to consider. The goal? Help you understand the intricacies of your van’s suspension and make you feel confident about any Sprinter van suspension upgrades you need to do.

What is Spring Suspension?

In the words of MotorTrend, “the springs are the foundation of a suspension system.” Springs have two main purposes: hold up the weight of your vehicle and absorb the energy of bumps in the road. In practice, they allow your van’s tires to move up and down with these bumps while keeping the chassis and body of your vehicle still and in place.

If you removed the springs from your vehicle, the body would sit significantly lower. To give an example, many car modders choose to install shorter springs so that their vehicle has a lower stance. Besides a lower stance, removing the springs would also make you feel every single imperfection in the road, creating an extremely uncomfortable ride.

Shocks and struts work in conjunction with the springs by controlling the amount of spring compression/extension. Without them, the springs would keep bouncing until all kinetic energy was released.

Types of Spring Suspension Systems

Springs come in a few different varieties. Their usage depends on the type of vehicle. Many heavy-duty vehicles use a combination of spring types in the suspension system. On Sprinter vans, integrated strut and coils are used on the front wheels and leaf springs are used on the rear wheels.

Coil Springs

Coils have a classic spring look to them, similar to a thick slinky. On sedans and smaller vehicles, they’re used on every wheel. On heavier vehicles, they’re only used in the front. This is because coil springs are very good at creating a smooth ride, but they don’t excel under heavy loads. 

Sprinters are designed to carry cargo in the rear. Engineers use struts and coils in the front to maintain riding comfort, but use leaf springs in the rear to ensure maximum support.

Leaf Springs

Leaf springs look like a thick stack of flat, metal bars. On Sprinter vans, they’re located on the rear wheels. There are many components to a leaf spring suspension system, including the eye, bushing, and shackle. Depending on the vehicle, there can be different numbers of leaves (the layers of metal). The more leaves there are, the more suspension support that is provided.

Leaf spring suspension is used in the rear on Sprinter vans because they carry a lot of weight, especially when they have a full interior build done to them. Leaf springs are better at supporting more weight because they disperse it over the length of the entire pack, rather than just a single point like on a coil spring. They also have progressive resistance; as more weight is added, more leaves activate, stiffening the overall suspension.

When Should I Upgrade My Sprinter’s Springs?

You can probably imagine what it feels like to have worn suspension. A bumpy ride, harsh sounds when going over bumps, squeaking, and excess sway are all common. When suspension is really in need of an upgrade, your van will tell you.

Besides these obvious signs, there are many indicators that might go unnoticed. Here are some Sprinter-specific issues that you should look out for:

• Bump Stop Compression: Bump stops are rubber blocks that sit between your suspension and the axle. They prevent metal-to-metal contact when the springs are under full compression. If your bump stops are always touching the axle under load, it means that your suspension is undersized for the amount of weight you’re carrying.

• Rear Sag: Your van should sit perfectly level and the back should not be “sagging” lower. New suspension can help with this, but it’s also important to make sure that you’re not over your Sprinter's maximum GVWR.

• Uneven Tire Wear: If your existing suspension is not supporting the weight of the van correctly, the tires will tell the story. If one side of the van has poor suspension, you might notice wear on the outside of your tires from misalignment. If the suspension is struggling to support the weight of the vehicle, you might notice more wear on the inside of the tires from the axle bending.

Sprinter Spring Suspension When Off-Roading

If you’re planning on taking your van off-roading, the way you should approach suspension is entirely different. Overall, stock Sprinter suspension is simply not adequate. You’ll feel harsh bottom outs, side-to-side sway, and metal-on-metal contact.

Off-roading springs will dramatically improve your driving experience. They’re meant to support the weight of a fully built-out Sprinter and the extremes of off-road travel. You’ll be able to tackle trails head on and not feel like you’re damaging your vehicle or being thrown around inside the van.

Best Spring Suspension Options By Driving Style

When it comes to spring upgrades for Sprinter vans, there are a few different options. These options are dependent on how far off-road you like to go. Whether you’ve noticed your suspension feeling worn out or you’d like to make your adventure van ready for anything, here are your best choices for springs, broken down by the type of travel.

1. Highway Cruising

If you’re more of a “sightseer” and like to road trip with your van, stay at campsites and rest areas, and explore popular destinations, a light suspension upgrade would be best for you. This can be something as simple as a new spring pack. It’ll help balance your load out and make your drive more comfortable.

Recommended Product: Opti-Rate Full Spring Pack

2. Gravel Road Bumping

Maybe you like to explore a little off the beaten path with boondocking and primitive camping. This usually entails driving down poorly maintained National Forest roads, rutted out desert roads, or washboard roads. A slightly more tuned up spring suspension could do wonders for the handling of the vehicle.

Recommended Product: Stage 4.3 Suspension System

3. Deep Off-Road Exploration

If you’re not afraid of pushing your van to the limits and getting way way out there, a full suspension and spring upgrade will be necessary. This ensures that you get the clearance, support, and handling that you need for some of the toughest roads. Fully upgraded suspension and springs will give you peace of mind that your Sprinter is equipped for the adventure.

Recommended Product: Stage 6.3 Suspension System 

Optimize Your Sprinter’s Suspension and Springs Today

Springs are an important component of all suspension systems, but they are especially crucial for heavy Sprinter vans. You rely on your springs to keep your van’s ride smooth and comfortable, even when it goes off-road. 

If you’re thinking that it might be time to invest in new springs for your rig, our team at Owl is here to help. We have a variety of trail-tested options to choose from, detailed installation guides, and an experienced team of technicians that are available to help with your purchase. Get ready to enjoy the pleasure of smooth, cloud-like drives in your Sprinter and take a look at our suspension collection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do suspension springs wear out?

Yes, springs do wear out. Leaf springs typically last around 100,000 miles, but this can be quickly reduced with heavy loads.

Can I replace only one spring at a time, or should they be done in pairs?

Springs should always be replaced in pairs so that the suspension is balanced. Stiffer or looser suspension on just one side could lead to serious alignment issues.

What are the benefits of progressive-rate springs for Sprinter vans?

Progressive leaf springs, such as the ones we provide from Deaver, provide progressively more support the more they are compressed. Each leaf is activated separately, combining to create full support at maximum compression.