Abstract: A telescopic hydraulic shock absorber including a base valve assembly having a valve body with three arcuate slots which lie between two concentric valve seats which are overlain by a flat annulus constituting a recuperation valve. This valve is normally held in contact with the valve seats by a recuperation valve spring. A passage of complex shape extends through the center of the valve body and the mouth of the passage at the lower end is surrounded by an annular valve seat. A compression valve pin with a shank cooperates with the valve seat to form a compression valve and the shank is guided in a valve guide located in a counterbore in the aperture. The valve guide comprises a solid ring portion having six integral projections. There is an annular clearance between the valve pin and the part of the passage which is in communication with an annular space between the ring portion and the part of the passage through the passageways between the projections of the valve guide.