Exhibit 5(a)

                                  June 5, 1997




MTS Systems Corporation
14000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN  55344

         Re:      Opinion of Counsel as to Legality of 750,000 Shares of Common
                  Stock to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 on Form S-8 of 750,000 shares of Common Stock, $.25 par
value, of MTS Systems Corporation (the "Company") offered to executives,
managers, key technical and functional employees, directors and consultants
pursuant to the MTS Systems Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

         We advise you that it is our opinion, based on our familiarity with the
affairs of the Company and upon our examination of pertinent documents, that the
750,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued by the Company under the Plan, will,
when paid for and issued, be validly issued and lawfully outstanding, fully paid
and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company.

         The undersigned hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement
with respect to said shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          LINDQUIST & VENNUM, P.L.L.P.