Abstract: A jounce bumper and dust shield subassembly includes a washer having an annular opening for receiving a piston rod of a damper. A jounce bumper includes an axial bore for receiving the piston rod and top and bottom surfaces. A resilient collar is provided on the top surface of the jounce bumper. A dust shield includes a body and a planar end surface having an annular opening for receiving the piston rod. The planar end surface of the dust shield is placed against a lower surface of the washer so that their respective openings are aligned. The collar of the jounce bumper is inserted through the dust shield and the openings of the dust shield and washer to trap the planer end surface between the jounce bumper and the washer, thereby forming a subassembly.

Abstract: A semi-active hydraulic damper includes a solenoid valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through a bypass channel. A blow-off valve assembly is provided in series with the solenoid valve assembly to provide low-level damping when the bypass channel is open.

Abstract: A dust shield for use with a damper includes a hollow cylindrical body having first and second ends. A plurality of convolutions are provided in the outer surface of the body between its ends. A plurality of inwardly projecting fingers are provided in the body portion. Each finger includes a centering rib extending to the damper to prevent shifting of the dust shield during use, thereby eliminating contact between the dust shield and a surrounding coil spring or a bump plate mounted on the damper. Additionally, each finger includes a retaining wall. The bump plate engages the retaining wall during rebound of the damper to pull the dust shield to its approximate original length to provide full-time cover of a piston rod of the damper.