What does MacPherson suspension mean?
3 Answers
MacPherson suspension is currently a very common form of independent suspension, mostly used in the front wheels of vehicles. The main structure of this suspension consists of a coil spring, a shock absorber, and an A-shaped lower control arm. Its characteristic is its relatively compact size, which is beneficial for the layout of a more compact engine compartment. However, due to its simple structure, it cannot provide sufficient lateral support, resulting in noticeable steering roll and brake dive phenomena. Independent suspension structures include candle-type, MacPherson-type, and multi-link types, among others. The candle-type and MacPherson-type are similar in shape, as both combine the coil spring and shock absorber into one unit, but they have significant differences due to their structural variations.
I've been a taxi driver for twenty years and deal with MacPherson struts every day. Simply put, it's a device that allows the wheel to move up and down independently, mainly consisting of a thick spring wrapped around a shock absorber, plus a lower control arm. The biggest advantage is space-saving, allowing larger displacement engines to fit in the engine bay, and providing more flexible steering control during turns. However, on rough roads, the wheels tend to wobble, and the steering wheel shakes along with it. I've driven cars with double-wishbone suspensions, which are more stable over speed bumps, but they're more expensive! Nowadays, most family cars use MacPherson struts for the front wheels—just look at budget grocery-getters around 100,000 yuan, and 80-90% of them have it.
Last time I got my car fixed, the mechanic mentioned the MacPherson strut suspension, which is like giving the wheels their own independent trampoline. It boils down to three key components: the shock absorber handles bump absorption, the coil spring supports the vehicle's weight, and the control arm manages the wheel's movement path. The beauty lies in its compact design, freeing up space in the front compartment for the steering gear—that's why most family cars use it for the front wheels. However, over time, the rubber bushings wear out, causing a 'thud' sound over potholes. The upside is that replacements are straightforward, unlike multi-link suspensions where replacing a single part might require disassembling half the car. Nowadays, even new electric vehicles use an upgraded version called the MacPherson strut with a stabilizer bar.
