MacPherson Strut: What It Is, How It Works, and When It Fails

When you hit a pothole and your car feels like it’s bouncing off the road, the MacPherson strut, a compact suspension component that combines a shock absorber and coil spring into one unit. Also known as strut suspension, it’s the most common type of front suspension in cars today—from budget sedans to performance hatchbacks. It’s simple, cost-effective, and saves space, which is why nearly every car maker uses it.

The MacPherson strut, a compact suspension component that combines a shock absorber and coil spring into one unit. Also known as strut suspension, it’s the most common type of front suspension in cars today—from budget sedans to performance hatchbacks. It’s simple, cost-effective, and saves space, which is why nearly every car maker uses it. doesn’t just absorb bumps—it holds the wheel in place, supports the car’s weight, and helps with steering. That means if it’s worn out, your car doesn’t just ride rough—it pulls to one side, tires wear unevenly, and braking gets shaky. You might hear clunks over bumps, feel the steering wobble, or notice the front end dipping when you stop. These aren’t just annoyances. A bad strut can turn a small repair into a dangerous situation.

It’s not just the strut itself that wears out. The ball joint, a pivot point that connects the steering knuckle to the control arm. Also known as steering joint, it’s often checked at the same time because if it’s loose, it’ll ruin a brand-new strut in weeks. and strut mount, the rubber-and-metal assembly that connects the strut to the car’s body and isolates vibrations. Also known as bearing mount, it’s the quiet part that fails first—making creaking or knocking noises you can’t quite pin down. are just as important. Most people replace struts in pairs, because if one side is worn, the other isn’t far behind. And if you’re replacing them, you might as well check the control arm, the metal link that connects the wheel hub to the frame, keeping the wheel aligned. Also known as A-arm, it’s often overlooked until the alignment is off and tires are eating themselves alive..

You’ll find a lot of posts here about suspension problems—noisy rides, uneven tire wear, steering that feels loose. That’s because the MacPherson strut is at the center of most of them. Whether you’re hearing clunks on rough roads, your car leans too much in turns, or you just want to know if your suspension still has life left, these guides show you how to spot the signs before it’s too late. No guesswork. No overpriced shop quotes. Just real talk on what’s broken, what you can fix yourself, and when you really need a pro.