Abstract: A shock absorber comprises a cylinder defining a cavity between a pair of end walls. A piston rod extends axially through one of the end walls, and a piston is mounted on the piston rod between the end walls so as to divide the cavity into first and second working chambers containing a damping fluid. A first array of passages extends through the piston and communicates between the first and second chambers, and a sprung valve assembly is provided for obturating the first array of passages in the event of the velocity of the piston rod relative to the cylinder exceeding a predetermined value. A second array of passages communicates between the working chambers and provides a fluid flow path when the first array of passages is blocked by the sprung valve assembly. Restricted exhaust orifices communicate with the second array of passages for limiting the flow of fluid through the second array of passages so as to control the movement of the piston rod.