Do coil springs generally provide a softer ride and leaf springs are generally stronger, sturdier? Trucks mainly use leaf springs I guess for durability in carrying loads and towing and GM went to coil springs on most of their cars in the 70s for ride comfort. Am I correct in these assumptions?

 

Not just ride comfort. The four link suspension does a better job of locating the rear axle than leaf springs.

 

Joe, what do you mean by "does a better job of locating the rear axle....?" Do coils give the axle more flexibility than leaves?

 

Leaf springs can allow the axle to move in unintended directions relative to the body during cornering. The GM coil spring suspension uses a four link design with angled upper links that do a much better job of controlling rear axle motion during cornering.

 

Thanks for the info, Joe!