Adding weight to the rear of a vehicle is something we all do on a regular basis without giving much thought to the potential consequences. That is, until we overload it and end up with a severe squat at the rear end. Unless you're a naive kid trying to be cool, this will likely send you into a bit of a panic—and for good reason.
When a vehicle squats at the rear, it reduces contact of the front tires, negatively impacting traction, steering, and braking. This dangerous situation needs to be dealt with, but it doesn't always mean simply carrying a lighter load.
Helper springs, such as those manufactured by Hellwig and Timbren, are devices designed to address this issue. They work by adding support to the overloaded axle to prevent the suspension from sagging.
The good news is that, no matter what vehicle you're working with, there is a helper spring solution to combat an overloaded suspension. However, to find the best solution, you need to understand the basic differences between the types of helper springs available and how they work. That's not a hard thing to get a handle on, and it's exactly what we're here to help you with.
Different Types of Helper Springs
Not all helper springs are the same, and the best solution for your vehicle will be contingent on its unique demands. Vehicle type, use case, owner preferences, budget—these factors all play a role, as does brand name.
Different manufacturers have proprietary designs for the specific type of helper springs they specialize in. This allows companies to truly stand out from one another, giving you a clear idea of what’s best in terms of the type of helper spring you need.
For example, Hellwig’s Pro Series helper springs are their own, unique thing. Designed to add assistance to leaf spring packs, they only work when needed. In short, the design automatically provides assistance when the truck is hauling, but won’t impede normal use. This is a big step up for daily drivers from traditional add-a-leaf solutions that permanently stiffen the springs, which will impact ride quality at all times.
Below are the main types of helper springs you should be familiar with.
Air Bellows
Air bellows are what many people think of when the topic of helper springs is brought up. These are exceedingly popular because they cover a variety of applications and have a super convenient function.
Air bellow- or airbag-type springs work by placing a pneumatic spring between the frame of the vehicle and the axle or inside of a coil spring. As the weight is piled on and the suspension sags, the bag fills with air to level the truck.
These bags can fill via an onboard or external compressor, and easily deflate when not needed. The main benefit is that they can be easily tailored to the load carried, potentially with no need to ever leave the cabin of the vehicle to do it.
The only drawbacks to this type of spring are that they're a little more complicated to install, require a little more maintenance, and can be much more expensive than the alternatives. Firestone and Air Lift are the two largest brands in this space, with impressive catalogues to work with.
Solid Jounces
Solid-jounce-type helper springs are among the simplest options. These work by placing a rubber jounce between the frame of the vehicle and the axle. Once mounted, the jounce functions a lot like a typical bump stop by physically limiting the suspension from sagging beyond a certain point.
What separates solid jounce-type helper springs from a typical bump stop is that they can offer progressive assistance. In other words, they won't totally impede suspension travel. Instead, they can become progressively stiffer to offer more assistance as needed without destroying ride quality. Timbren and Supersprings are leaders in this space, with excellent designs that function as such.
Add-a-Leafs
A primary benefit of leaf springs over coil springs is that they can support higher loads. This is why you still find them all over the roadways, despite coil spring suspension types generally being viewed as superior. They are very common when hauling vehicles, and “add-a-leafs” are very popular when helper springs are needed for these applications.
Leaf springs are comprised of leaf packs, which are made up of a series of semi-elliptical springs. More leaves make for a higher spring rate, which can handle higher loads. Add-a-leaf type springs do exactly what the name says: they add leaves to increase the load capacity.
There are very primitive versions of add-a-leaf setups, which simply increase spring rate with no regard for unloaded ride quality. This is great for vehicles that are constantly carrying an excessive load, but not so much for those that may see frequent use without. Designs like the aforementioned Hellwig helper springs really come into play for commuter vehicles that only haul on occasion, and will benefit from retaining factory spring rates.
Coil Spring Inserts
Leaf springs aren't the only spring type to benefit from a super simple solution. Coil springs can also be assisted by a simple type of helper spring to keep loads from bogging them down.
Coil spring-type helper springs are a simple rubberized piece of material that's installed between the coils. In principle, they function much like an add-a-leaf by increasing the spring rate to resist sagging. This is a great option for SUVs, crossovers, and other vehicles that carry heavy weights on occasion but don't have the need or option to use other, more permanent types of helper springs. Supersprings is an excellent source to look to for this category.
Helper Springs Installation and Maintenance DIY Tips
Helper spring installation and maintenance are far from the most skill-intensive tasks. DIYers with an intermediate skill level can certainly handle installing them in their vehicle. That said, the difficulty of doing so really does depend on the type of spring.
Air bellow helper springs are easily the most difficult type of helper spring to install if an onboard compressor is part of the package. That is because the compressor will need to be permanently mounted, and some time and thought will go into routing the air lines and wiring.
Without the compressor, it's simply a matter of locating the bags and bolting them in place, which is the same for solid jounce springs. Add-a-leafs and coil spring helpers can be a bit more complicated depending on the application and the specifics of the spring you're using, but they are generally still nut-and-bolt jobs. Of course, it's still always best to seek professional help if you're uncomfortable with this work, regardless of your skill level.
Helper springs are among the least maintenance-demanding items. They're incredibly resilient, and need little more than a simple visual inspection from time to time to ensure everything is in good shape.
Every so often, simply take a look at all the components to make sure there are no signs of damage and that everything is firmly connected or bolted in place. If anything has come loose or is showing signs of wear, that's when you will need to replace or adjust the part in question. Other than that, you will need to drain the compressor from time to time if your helper spring system features one.
Find Your Perfect Helper Springs at Parts Via
Choosing the right helper springs can make a significant difference in your vehicle's performance and safety when carrying heavy loads. At Parts Via, we offer a great selection of helper springs, including top brands like Hellwig, Timbren, Supersprings, AirLift and more, ensuring you find the perfect solution for your needs.
Don’t forget to take advantage of our FREE Ship-to-Store option, which allows you to send your online purchases straight to a network dealer near you, completely free of charge. Pick up your helper springs at your convenience, or schedule installation services to ensure a hassle-free modification. Either way, shop with confidence and enhance your vehicle's capabilities with Parts Via.