Final answer:
If a truck's leaf spring is broken, it can lead to the vehicle being placed out of service (OOS) during a roadside inspection. This is because the leaf spring is a key part of the vehicle's suspension system, critical for road stability and vehicle safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
A broken leaf spring on a truck is considered a serious defect and, during a roadside inspection, can potentially lead to the truck being placed out of service (OOS). The leaf springs are critical components of a vehicle's suspension system, and their main function is to absorb shocks from the road. If a leaf spring is broken, it can compromise the vehicle's ability to safely carry loads and maintain contact with the road, leading to instability and unsafe driving conditions.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has guidelines that inspectors follow, and one of the criteria for placing a commercial vehicle out of service is if the suspension is compromised. Since the leaf springs are an integral part of the suspension system, a broken leaf spring means that the suspension cannot function as designed, which usually warrants an OOS decision, until the necessary repairs are made to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate on public roads.