A suspension system for a vehicle axle comprising: a leaf spring, the leaf spring extending in parallel with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and having a first seat portion (21a,21c) and a second seat portion (21a,21c) which are separated from one another along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring, a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising a first clamp group (126a,126c) associated with the first seat portion (21a,21c) and a second clamp group (126a,126c) associated with the second seat portion (21a,21c), each of the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) further comprising a fastener assembly, a top mounting pad (125a, 125c) and a bottom mounting pad (134a,134c), the top mounting pad (125a, 125c) and the bottom mounting pad (134a,134c) opposing one another and positioned in vertical alignment with and on opposite sides of the leaf spring, a top elastomeric pad (27a,27c) and a bottom elastomeric pad (27a,27c), the top and bottom elastomeric pads (27a,27c) positioned, respectively, between the top mounting pad (134a,134c) and the leaf spring and the bottom mounting pad (134a,134c) and the leaf spring; wherein either the bottom mounting pads (134a,134c) or the top mounting pads (125a, 125c) of the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) are part of an axle seat bracket, the axle seat bracket configured to receive a laterally disposed vehicle axle; wherein the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) either have no rigid or fixed connection to one another above the leaf spring, or have no rigid or fixed connection to one another below the leaf spring; and wherein when the fastener assembly of each clamp group (126a,126c) is tightened, the associated top mounting pad (125a, 125c) top elastomeric pad (27a,27c), leaf spring, bottom elastomeric pad (27a,27c) and bottom mounting pad (134a,134c) are coupled together, and the section of the leaf spring between the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) remains unclamped and exhibits positive vertical displacement without contacting any rigid component of the clamp assembly. a leaf spring, the leaf spring extending in parallel with the longitudinal axis of a vehicle and having a first seat portion (21a,21c) and a second seat portion (21a,21c) which are separated from one another along the longitudinal axis of the leaf spring, a clamp assembly, the clamp assembly comprising a first clamp group (126a,126c) associated with the first seat portion (21a,21c) and a second clamp group (126a,126c) associated with the second seat portion (21a,21c), each of the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) further comprising a fastener assembly, a top mounting pad (125a, 125c) and a bottom mounting pad (134a,134c), the top mounting pad (125a, 125c) and the bottom mounting pad (134a,134c) opposing one another and positioned in vertical alignment with and on opposite sides of the leaf spring, a top elastomeric pad (27a,27c) and a bottom elastomeric pad (27a,27c), the top and bottom elastomeric pads (27a,27c) positioned, respectively, between the top mounting pad (134a,134c) and the leaf spring and the bottom mounting pad (134a,134c) and the leaf spring; wherein either the bottom mounting pads (134a,134c) or the top mounting pads (125a, 125c) of the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) are part of an axle seat bracket, the axle seat bracket configured to receive a laterally disposed vehicle axle; wherein the first and second clamp groups (126a,126c) either have no rigid or fixed connection to one another above the leaf spring, or have no rigid or fixed connection to one another below the leaf spring; and