Talk:MacPherson strut
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why the spring axis is not co-axial with the strut axis for a MacPherson suspension?
[edit] That good old Anti-Roll Bar
In a history of cars that I read, a distinction was made between the MacPherson system proper and the mere struts that in fact preceded it in race cars. This was the anti-roll bar, which saved money by also serving as the trailing link. This can be imagined as a relatively thin rod that goes forward from the lower pivot, turns 90 degrees inward and immediately goes through a hole in the frame, across the car to the other side and through a hole in the other side of the frame and turns rearward to the pivot on the other wheel. When both wheels rise or fall, this does not affect their movement. But when one wheel rises or falls, the bar resists its movement.
I think that the use of the term on this page has changed to merely be any old strut, and not Mr. MacPherson's particular design feature, which I have noted above. The picture placed on this page does not show this detail, nor does the description.
Also, in the book it said that an Italian firm (probably Fiat) had the idea before MacPherson, but did not prosecute. Sobolewski 23:28, 31 October 2006 (UTC)
