It consists of upper and lower wishbone arms pivoted to the frame member. These arms resemble letter 'A' of the Roman alphabet due to which these are also referred to as 'A arms'. The spring is placed in between the lower wishbone and the underside of the cross member. The vehicle weight is transmitted from the body and the cross member to the coil spring through which it goes to the lower wishbone member. A shock absorber is placed inside the coil spring and is attached to the cross member and to lower wishbone member.

The wishbone arms are like the chicken wishbone or letter V in shape, because of which the system is so called. Because of this V shape, the wishbones not only position the wheels and transmit the vehicle load to the springs, but these also resist acceleration, braking and cornering (side) forces. The upper arms are shorter in length then the lower ones. This helps to keep the wheel track constant, thereby avoiding the tire scrub thus minimising tire wear. However, a small change in the camber angle does occur with such an arrangement.

The wishbone type is the most popular independent suspension system.