Final answer:
More than one-fourth of a broken spring leaf results in decreased load-carrying capacity for a vehicle. Modifying cars to be lower often necessitates the installation of stiffer springs to maintain suspension functionality. Tension in a spring increase proportionally with the force applied to it.
Step-by-step explanation:
If more than one-fourth or more spring leaf is broken on a vehicle, this typically means that the vehicle's load-carrying capacity decreases. The leaf spring is a crucial component of a vehicle's suspension system, designed to absorb impacts and maintain contact between the wheels and the road. A broken leaf spring cannot efficiently manage weight or absorb the energy from road irregularities, leading to a reduction in performance and possibly creating a safety concern.
For those who modify cars to have a lower ground clearance, they would likely consider installing stiffer springs to prevent the car from bottoming out and to maintain the proper functionality of the suspension system at a lowered height. Stiffer springs would provide the necessary support to handle the reduced space between the car and the road while also maintaining ride quality to some extent.