[File:Mcpherson strut.jpg|thumb|400px|A simple MacPherson strut suspension on the right front wheel of a rear-wheel drive vehicle. The front of the vehicle is at bottom left of the image.
Red: Steering knuckle or hub carrier
Blue: Lower control arm or track control arm
Light blue: Steering gear tie rod or track rod
Lower purple: Radius rod 
Upper purple: Coil spring 
Yellow: Tubular housing containing shock absorber or damper]] The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles and is named for Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.