The Jargon Patrol: Welcome to the wonderful world of suspension struts. It may seem like the remit of oil-covered mechanics, but when driving on Irish roads, you should thank Earl MacPherson for his handiwork every time you hit a pothole.
MacPherson is the patent holder and his name has been attached to the invention since it went into production in the 1950s.
Beginning with the basics, a car's suspension system encompasses the assembly of springs, shock absorbers, torsion bars, joints, arms et al, that cushions the shock of bumps on the road and serves to keep the wheels in constant contact with the road, thereby improving control and traction.
Those of you with bad backs will understand completely the need to cushion the blow of the deep ravines that pass for potholes on our roads.
MacPherson's struts are a suspension system combining a coil spring and a shock absorber in one unit. They're often used in front-wheel-drive cars because they're compact and provide for independent suspension. These struts support a car's weight, acting as shock absorbers. They also allow relatively long springs that can increase suspension travel and the 'bump' absorption capability.