What characteristic is typical of most MacPherson type suspensions?

In a MacPherson type suspension, a typical characteristic is the absence of an upper control arm. This design integrates the shock absorber and the coil spring into a single strut assembly, which serves as the main vertical support for the wheel while also controlling the motion of the suspension. The simplicity of the MacPherson strut allows for a compact design that is both lightweight and easy to manufacture, making it a popular choice in many vehicles.

The lack of an upper control arm is significant because it distinguishes this system from other suspension designs like dual control arms, which do utilize both upper and lower control arms for wheel positioning. Additionally, while MacPherson suspensions provide a degree of independence in wheel movement, they do not have a solid axle configuration, nor are they classified entirely as fully independent systems in the same way some advanced suspension designs are, which may use multiple linkages for enhanced performance.

This design characteristic results in effective handling and ride comfort in a variety of driving conditions, which contributes to its widespread application in modern automotive engineering.