Like any leaf spring suspension, it depends on how stiff the spring is. With a 1/4 setup, like a buggy spring, you are still only flexing the spring from the center bolt out to the eye, so there is no real advantage in motion ratio for the axle either way. If the 1/4 setup does not use a shackle (as in the OP picture), you will get a rougher ride from the "dead" perches.
As the spring has a load applied it flattens out causing the axle to lay back and increase caster. This would cause the drag link on traditional steering to be pushed back toward the driver causing bump steer. We are only talking about 2 - 3 inches of travel in normal conditions.
The Jalopy Journal
