MacPherson Strut Suspension - Simple Explanation

[@brentoncorcoran1463]

Watching these videos back in 2012 while I was in school made me want to become an engineer. Then I saw the math and realized Accounting might be my ticket. I like how he is able to take the very complex engineering concepts and simplify them for us. Thank you for the work you have done all these years to educate and entertain the public.

[@1337venezolano]

Seeing this video in 2019, so nice to see how this channel has grown

[@elbaitahranya439]

2022

[@rblxtutorials1881]

@@elbaitahranya4392024

[@m9740]

2024!

[@agello24]

i know its late, like 4 yrs late, but contgrats on the youtube program.

[@airtel1730]

agello24 : 😁😁😁😁😁

[@tiranozavyr889]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@beansama171]

Looks like I’m 7 yrs late

[@Dncyx]

then i'll be the latest of the bunch

[@egle7837]

Sure kid

[@Bazilisk_AU]

I know this video came out 8 years ago but I really wanted to thank you. this week I was able to talk with my mechanic / suspension specialist and I was able to understand his very technical explanation have have meaningful questions to boot, because I'm getting the worn out stock shocks on my Mazda MX3 changed out / upgraded and I was able to impress my dad with the knowledge I got from these videos. Thank you so much !!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yep, I used to live pretty close to a junkyard which made that pretty easy; since then I've used my own car for that kind of demonstration - but it's a bit more difficult when it isn't ripped apart. I try to get the real thing in whenever I can though, thanks for watching, and subscribing!

[@shadaksharicr5924]

i watch the ads so that you get the benefits and that the way i repay for your great Help.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Shadakshari C R Very kind!

[@xkzlx]

+Shadakshari C R Is that how it works? You have to watch the entire ad for them to get the ad rev.? If that's the case then I'll watch the entire ads.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Kelvin Leung That's how it works unfortunately, really appreciate those who do!

[@mentality-monster]

+Engineering Explained Can't we just give you a dollar a month or something? Your content is worth chipping in for, but I detest adverts.

[@KarniToTheKaz]

+blackjackskellington i agree with that lol

[@MayweatherjrWONandsoTrump]

Dude, you have my respect. i wish one day my kids are smart as you are. Stay good boss!!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

I don't have any experience with racing, so I couldn't tell you which feels better to me, but double wishbone seems to be the better option.

[@abraham_george]

The method of explanation is priceless! A student will understand much more watching your videos than figuring out from books. Keep up the good work! Engineering Explained Rocks!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very welcome, glad you enjoy the videos and can learn from them!

[@johnanderson5500]

A very very late belated congratulations!!! Im sorry i wasn't here for this video when it happened. Im glad you grew as big as you have! Live long and prosper! ♥️

[@kimberlylakes-brown3968]

bro i am hours away from my hands on final in suspension and brakes and well ima gyrl so the stress factor has taken its toll ... i doubt myself bad .... THANK YOU FOR EXISTING AND MAKING THESE VIDEOS GOD BLESS YER SOUL LOL I have been able to understand all of your videos and I think i might actually pass ... thanks and dont go away ... EVER I think ima need help forever!!!! i am sure there are others that feel the same :)

[@jctyoga]

Watching and learning in 2020.

[@Neutralreviews]

This was great for many reasons! Awesome at explaining things most of us get intimidated by, but because I just started my KZbin journey it was really cool to see where you started from. Congratulations on all your well deserved success!

[@GoAndStay]

Thanks for the series - very informative and logically explained. Obviously you understand your subject very, very well and are well prepared. Well done!

[@UrPeaceKeeper]

Hey man, me again. You may wish to examine your comment about "small camber changes with body roll" and "no camber gain when cornering." Neither are true. A MacPhearson strut setup CAN go through huge camber sweeps, it just depends on how it is configured. The shorter the lower control arm, the larger the camber change the car will experience. They definitely DO have negative camber gain while cornering and this is achieved by making the wheel side of the lower control arm lower than the chassis side. In doing so you force the bottom of the upright out while it sweeps up, right up until the angle of the lower control arm is perpendicular to the steering axis inclination. Once you get beyond 90º to the SAI you start to head rapidly towards positive camber. Most modern strut based cars are setup to gain some negative camber during body roll, some gain more than others. Look at the modern BMW's, the modern Mustang, the BRZ/FRS and other more modern strut cars oriented towards performance and you'll see it in the geometry! ;)

[@DrifterFPV]

yeah your right and its impossible to have no camber change with macpherson ... but you can with equal length double A arms. what he says dosent make sense.....

[@49S13]

This video needs to be redone.

[@HaloToday]

Thank you for all the knowledge that you pass on to us! Especially when I'm sure me and many others on here are too manly to ask anyone in the real world how all this stuff works

[@EngineeringExplained]

Haha, you're very welcome!

[@ruchirathanuja]

Still the best video explaining this even after 12 years.

[@zainnetworks]

phenomenal vidz dude, I have exhausted almost all of them over the past 3 days, and its been a great venture, it has given me the essence of a car's skeleton , keep it up and ill be hoping for more videos, a small request though, plz do a vid on steering assembly and hubs

[@olanrewajuin2008]

Impressive to see how this guy and his channel has grown over the years, great job man!

[@turbowhine360]

I've been watching all of your videos. Explaining complex things is in the realm of Sagan,Nye, and Tyson. Great work!

[@JohnvilleQC]

Actually it is possible to gain camber when cornering with a macpherson strut when playing with then components geomerty, longer lower A-arms, more angle to the struts while it is static ( not talking about tire camber while the car does not move ) etc. Every BMW 3 series, Porsche 911, or Nissan S chassis and lot of other have macpherson front suspension and they can achieve that, they gain negative camber as the front outer strut shortens while cornering. BTW great videos, subscribed!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Well, you could check out my video "Hp vs Torque" just search for it on my channel, or go to the "engine parameters" playlist. But to answer your question, torque is simply a force, multiplied by a distance, creating a twist.

[@franquito25]

hey dude...i love your videos..i´ve seen a few of them but let me tell u something...u explain really well! i´m glad i´ve found you! i will recommend your videos to my friends..we are doing studies in automotive engineering and sometimes it´s difficult to understand the theory in class..bur with your videos i think we r in! thanks one more time! and keep it like that!

[@rpvespa]

Well done sir on the success of your channel. Thanks for your work.

[@rivermk]

Me: *gets lit for him 8 yrs later because he’s one of the best channels in automotives*

[@shahbaazali1195]

well i m a student but i have great fun learning about engineering than in the general academics. You really rock to the core

[@PRJsince1990]

Also subscribed! Great videos, all of them! Started with the original how an engine works vid and got hooked. You're really helping me understand how cars work in general and I can't thank you enough. What I really enjoyed in this video was how you actually went out and filmed the strut on a car and pointed out the pieces. More of that in the future (you could even redo some older videos if you had the time/add on to them with new footage of the physical components).

[@gaspererjavec7108]

just stumbled on your old video, i bet you never imagined being so big when you made this video :D

[@crosscarlisle3077]

Just found your channel from this video. Gongratz on 10 years this June! Knolwedge is power, you're a role model to many. :^)

[@afthefragile]

Its probably the hair and your relaxed style of explaining rather difficult concepts really well!

[@4x4PROX]

I have a suggestion, I think it would be better if you call your channel as Car Mechanics Explained, right now Engineering Explained is a very broad name. Another great informative video, thanks!

[@EngineeringExplained]

I have not yet, if I were to make it, it would be about a month or so away. But it seems it's of interest so I wouldn't rule it out.

[@developer101]

Wonderful, congrats on the new gig.

[@xdvd4090]

I do like the series very much. Keep up the good work.

[@lorenzololo821]

great video. I learned a lot about the macpherson strut and your board configuration was well-organized. I agree wtih one of the earlier posters, you should do a live video class one day...also you try a career as a college professor for an automotive engineering class. You're a natural instructor. I'll be watching your other videos.

[@SagnikAcharjee]

hey man thanks for ur videos.....i just have 1 request for u, plz make videos on tdi,crdi,tsi engines and on glow plugs...

[@archimonde7261]

wow....watching this vid after 8 years its posted..so glad for the boy..he got 2.8 mil subs now..

[@MichaelMiller-jh6zi]

I would love to see some of these old videos remade now that he's gotten much better at talking and explaining these concepts

[@subodhdangi5069]

Dude ur doing a great job, keep spreading the knowledge further, and i am a great fan of ur work

[@EngineeringExplained]

Haha, I don't think I can change it, though yes, it would be more fitting to make it more automotive sounding. If you go back to my earliest uploads, you can see that cars weren't my only topic. But then everything sort of just fell into place as it is now, and so it's only on cars. There are videos on jetskis, turbine engines, and scuba gear also haha.

[@EngineeringExplained]

No, there is not a relation between a cars ground clearance and it's unsprung mass. Sports cars are kept as low as possible to keep the center of gravity as low as possible, balancing the forces better across the 4 tires. Almost any car can be lowered, and this doesn't alter the unsprung mass (other than part of the weight of the suspension components which were swapped to lower the car shocks/springs/etc..).

[@EngineeringExplained]

Sure, as long as the shocks/springs are supporting the frame, it doesn't matter where the frame is, up high, or an inch from the ground.

[@MK3504]

You are awesome at explaining these videos! You deserve it

[@ziasong]

This dude is going to be a successful youtuber.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I've honestly never watched anything by Brian Cox, I suppose I should check him out some time.

[@SirXyloid]

First off, I want to let you know that I have plenty of mechanical experience and I know the terminology, so dont be afraid to get technical with me when answering this. I have a 2003 Subaru Outback. 2.5L N/A regular commuter car. All stock. Dont get me wrong, these cars are freaking amazing and practical and with just a little money under the hood they have lots of potential. I love my little wagon. But its getting old and tired. Just hit 216,000. The throttle doesnt feel as sporty as it used to 30,000 miles ago when I bought it second hand. I've been having fun in it but I know its only abuse to the car, but aside from often revving it higher than I should, I've tried my best to take care if the suspension and it's components. Braking softly, going slow over bumps, just trying to keep that solid and planted feel it gives me when I drive it. But soon I had to change the ball joints, which I did successfully. A normal wear and tear part of a car as you know. I also went ahead and changed the tie rod ends since I lived up north at the time. The roads are horrible and if youre not careful you can easily throw your entire alignment off by smashing into a pothole the wrong way. Anyway, the tie rod ends ended up being complete and utter garbage. They gave out only a year after replacing them. I should've expected it since they came from eBay. I dont even know what brand they were. I still had the original Subaru tie rods in the garage and I thought id do the hand check on them and they didnt feel sloppy at all. At least the outer ends didn't. The inner ends were. So I changed them to MOOG inners and put the original Subaru outers on them. So with all the ball joints replaced I took it for a test drive. No sounds, nothing. Until I pressed on the brake. As the front end dipped down, a pop would come out from the front suspension area. Only when braking. Acceleration was smooth. There are no noises while turning. Going over speed bumps makes the sound too. I took it to Goodyear to have it aligned. As they drove the car up the ramp, they heard the noise and told me it was the ball joints. I explained to then that I already changed them, including the tie rods. They jacked the car up and checked the wheel for slop. There was none so they did the alignment. It felt nice for a little while. But maybe 100 miles in, my steering wheel went crooked again (probably the good ol trusty mechanics at Goodyear's fault). Goodyear told me the sound might be the strut mount bearings. I'm not sure on the legitimacy of that since I've never heard of a case of popping strut mounts. I took it into consideration though but still wondered about it myself. I know all my bushings for the control arm need to be replaced. My shocks look old and rusted but they still feel stiff. The car doesn't sag more to one side after going over a speed bump so I know the shocks are equal in "wear". I'm not sure which side I hear it on though. Its just one loud and solid pop. It may be two pops simultaneously. Sometimes I feel like I'll hear it on one side, and sonetimes on the other. But more often than not, I cant tell which side. Ive never heard one pop go off and then another after it. Just one solid pop after pressing the brake or doing anything that makes the suspension dip slowly. Dipping fast doesnt make the sound. Can anyone give me any insight on what it might be? Could the Goodyear guys be right? Could I just check the bearings myself?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks for subscribing!

[@Al1145-q5u]

Thank you so much ... your explanation is so simple and good ...keep up the good work

[@TheSigp220]

Double wishbone, you'll need spindles for an FF platform. If you are gonna rally, which is the most suspension taxing application of racing, its your best bet with proper tuning that pays mind to understeer. You modify by spring rates to compensate the weight of the vehicle. Best layout for hatchbacks in this light would be double wishbone up front, shocks in the back with springs attached to a pivotal subframe or trailing arm. Its all a matter of how you drive but that set up gives you options!

[@tirtwety]

You are the reason I'm passing my Automotive classes. Thank you!!!!!

[@pengcheng8811]

Thanks for this simple but useful class, I am looking forward to learn all the car engineering knowledge to better become a car salesperson. Thanks anyway! already subscribed

[@md.asifiqbal3301]

Bro, You made this video around 2012-2014. But now almost 10 years after, I watch this video because of my automobile engineering and IC engine xm. You would be unnoticed to me if I hadn't these courses or I studied in non mechanical Engineering exam. Tomorrow is my automobile exam. sorry not tomorrow, now 1:54 am, my xm will be started at 2:00 pm. This will be end of my 7th semester. I will be an mechanical engineering graduated after passing last and 8th semester. Then I don't know what I will do. But these engineering videos make me amazed. Make me to thing about mechanical engineering. Why do I write all of these. I don't know, You said about your searching history of job and reminds me what I will do in my future. I hope I will be a good position after 10 years and see this comment. Oh ALLAH/GOD, please, help me.

[@JETZcorp]

I had a look at it the other day. Looks like they just had a big ole chunk of frame come out to make a mounting point for the strut. I didn't get a picture because I didn't have a very clear view, but it's definitely connected to the frame rather than the body.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I only put Castrol in my car, how's that for support?

[@rotorblade9508]

great for a good understanding of the basics 👍

[@EngineeringExplained]

Graduated last May! :)

[@anandsalim579]

Thanks for all the highly informative videos. Can you please make a video on Dual/double ball joint suspension??

[@Moonlight-hq3gi]

Malayali 😃

[@shahidali619]

Another great video! Was wondering if you could possibly do a video of offset in relation to alloy wheels. Thanks

[@MrJucery]

Right on bro, congrats on your partnership. Good luck.

[@FairladyS130]

While the strut suspension itself generates little camber gain in roll, that occurs only if the wheels are not turned when of course they usually are in a corner. So this lesson is a bit simplistic, it would be great if we could have a 102 version which explains what effect other factors like caster can do when turning. Most road cars have strut front suspension so it would be a great topic.

[@LASTmanSTANDING1500]

Lmao this vid aged extremely well. 🤣 thankbyou for yout time and information. It has change my life as a technician.

[@EngineeringExplained]

The ability to vary the amount of power sent to individual wheels. One day, one day I'll have a video on it haha.

[@tacodar]

where do you learn all that stuff from?? you're doing a great job.. really enjoyable to watch

[@andrewpaige9152]

Your videos are so awesome and informative thank you and keep up the great work

[@evo8FQ400]

Sweet channel. love the vids. So if you had a choice between MacPherson Strut or a Double Wishbone which one would you pick?

[@darrinfraser]

Thanks for your engineering knowledge. I am finding it very helpful. thanks

[@redemption_gt500]

Hello, for a vehicle with OEM macpherson strut front suspension, can the camber change over time? For example, stock front camber is -1 each side. Since the camber has no adjustment up front, can I expect to see -1 camber each side when I check my alignment 2 years later?

[@AdityaPatilR]

For cars which have been tunning the Macpherson suspension setup for 140 years now the suspension can be made god like with stability and evening out the rougher terrains.

[@YogiAndBooBooAndMe]

good video. But i would be interested in Magnetic Ride Control suspension since it seems like its becoming more popular. They recently integrated into the Camaro ZL1.

[@IIFLYBOYZII]

Great job. Looks like things worked out for you 3million subs

[@classicalleap5252]

The strut is not the steering axis (this is in reference to 1:26 "... in essense you can think of the strut here as also the steering axis..."). Steering axis in cars with MacPherson strut goes through the lower control arm and the strut bearing (located where strut mounts to the body). Other recent strut based designs have separate pivot dedicated for steering so that steering axis can sit closer to center of the wheel for better steering characteristics. Drawing in following link can be helpful in visualizing steering axis in strut based systems: www.caranddriver.com/features/ford-revoknuckle-and-gm-hiper-strut-explained-tech-dept

[@MegaMazuan]

congrat dude... your video help me a lot! nice! understand you better than my lecturer.. lol~~

[@carsonhaught9934]

And I thought it was a dance craze from the Thirties! Great video, thanks!

[@findingnismoz]

Grats on getting the KZbin partnership

[@euyoooo]

It would be great to if you can make a video (or couple) to explain the different between common Japanese and German suspension and their differences. I mean I used to drive a skoda octavia in Egypt, I adored its suspension it totally isolates you from the ground, on the other side when you drive a toyota, you almost feel every bit of gravel you stepping on which I totally hate. thanks

[@joe_limon]

The Macpherson's relative lack of camber gain is also a benefit. Under power delivery and heavy braking double wish bone setups camber gains cause the wheels to shift away from level, thus limiting the traction you have during launch and under braking.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Ahhh, is my name getting placed next to these automotive KZbin icons? Thank you!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@xHawaiiToast]

Please do a new version of the suspension series while going more into detail and showing the actual difference between double wishbone and mcpherson strut? Everyone says that a double wishbone ist much better than mcpherson but how much of a difference does it actually make? And are there only differences when cornering or in a straight line too? I wanna know so hard but I can't find anything "ridgit" on this topic. Only simple claims for both.

[@jattakav7521]

I was told that I have to replace my front Macpherson Struts for Mazda 3. I was initially planning to install new coil-over suspension in my car. would installing new coilovers fix my problem or is the Macpherson part of the vehicle?

[@Spizzdkinngg]

Thanks man. Your videos are great!

[@407pc]

Good explanation.

[@JETZcorp]

So here's a question, and one probably too specific to answer. I've got a '99 Dodge Dakota R/T, and it's a body-on-frame vehicle with MacPherson front suspension. I'm wondering how they mounted the strut, because what you say about requiring unibody makes sense. I was looking under the hood the other day, and noticed also that there aren't very clear strut towers like you see in many other cars with this kind of suspension. Next time I'm under the thing, I'll see if I can figure this out.

[@dd5507]

I got a question that i was assigned that iv spent tons of time researching but cannot gather any information on it. and was hoping maybe you could provide some information. "Why do the new low friction designs last longer than earlier designs and offer better performance and safety when cornering" The question is in reference to car suspension systems. Its for a grade 12 physics class and i genuinely cannot find anything that references new low friction designs and its comparisons to earlier designs..

[@Gerg22]

really nice video, very informative and understandable, keep up the good work!

[@xdvd4090]

...Continued. For this reason, a strut is different from a standard telescopic shock absorber, which cannot handle side loads. Struts suffer from higher friction than control arms, and this friction increases with a bending load, so struts do not react as well as control arms during mid-corner bumps at high g-force. Car manufacturers typically arrange the spring to be slightly offset from the strut axis to counter the bending load and reduce friction.

[@kykenzo9115]

Hi Bro, your presentation its very detail & clear. Demonstration with Explanation 👍 And I luv watching the video😄 Do you have a Multi-Link-Suspension presentation as well? Would be great if there its◡̈

[@herselolmos3743]

Very happy for you dawg

[@johnjeremias9437]

good explanation. Thanks

[@awasambajarju442]

Congratulations 🎉

[@yargnitstingray]

I am battling a wide spread issue struts are being installed incorrectly in Holden based cars, but everyone accepts it as “okay” I’d like to ask your opinion if you have time, but there’s another question I have that’s related to those struts: why are the strut bushing retaining washers cupped? As an electrical/aviation engineer, I don’t get it.

[@RalliartGT1]

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

[@BeyBoy17]

Is that steering line you were talking about at the very end of the video called a tie rod? (Inner and outer tie rod?)

[@AlloyDiesel]

Dude. You should redo a lot of these older topics. People are still curious and learning these topics, but your current work is a lot more polished.

[@510ology6]

is the double wishbone suspension what they use on nascar sprint cup cars?

[@RocketMaster2]

Engineering Explained What about older Camaros with modified MacPherson struts? The spring on those are separate from the strut. How does that compare to a standard system as demonstrated in the video? Thanks!

[@Decoy8]

I have a couple Datsun 240z and I read that they have MacPherson struts in the front and Chapman struts in the rear. Do you have a video on Chapman struts?

[@VikasVaibhav30]

well done man .. m becoming fan of your videos day by day..:) :)

[@snggarageworld]

great that he found job of being KZbin star !