Abstract: A gas valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a first portion of a first material and a second portion of second material which is less rigid than the first material. The first portion defines a rigid valve assembly body having a threaded portion to mount the valve to the shock body. The second portion is resilient and defines an integral plug and annular seal interconnected by a connecting member. The annular seal is molded adjacent a step engagement surface to seal the gas valve assembly to the shock body. A head having a tool engagement surface compresses the annular seal when the gas valve assembly is threaded in place.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber is provided that includes a piston rod. A cylinder head having a bore defining an axis supports the rod within the bore. A scraper is arranged proximate to the cylinder head and includes a hole with the rod arranged within the hole. The scraper removes debris from a portion of the rod exterior of the scraper opposite the cylinder head. Preferably, the scraper is axially located and retained relative to the cylinder head by a retainer. A wiper is at least partially disposed in the hole of the scraper and is in engagement with the rod. The wiper removes water from the rod preventing penetration of the water past the wiper.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a reservoir chamber for supplying hydraulic fluid to a main damper chamber. The reservoir chamber is in fluid communication with damper chamber through an internal fluid passage formed by openings in the damper housing and the reservoir housing. Mating features align the reservoir and damper housing relative to each other.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a reservoir chamber for supplying hydraulic fluid to a main damper chamber. The reservoir chamber is in fluid communication with damper chamber through an internal fluid passage formed by openings in the damper housing and the reservoir housing. Mating features align the reservoir and damper housing relative to each other.

Abstract: A vehicle shock absorber is provided that includes a piston rod. A cylinder head having a bore defining an axis supports the rod within the bore. A scraper is arranged proximate to the cylinder head and includes a hole with the rod arranged within the hole. The scraper removes debris from a portion of the rod exterior of the scraper opposite the cylinder head. Preferably, the scraper is axially located and retained relative to the cylinder head by a retainer. A wiper is at least partially disposed in the hole of the scraper and is in engagement with the rod. The wiper removes water from the rod preventing penetration of the water past the wiper.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a body having an outer cylinder which rotates relative to an inner cylinder to provide an adjustable damping force through fluid bypass. A plurality of ports are formed through the inner cylinder to provide the fluid bypass when a passageway within an inner surface of the outer cylinder is aligned therewith. Predetermined patterns of ports selectively adjust the dampening force of the shock absorber. When the passageway is rotated out of alignment with all the ports, no adjustment to the dampening force results as the inner surface of the outer cylinder seals the outer surface of the inner cylinder. When the passageway is rotated to be aligned with a pattern of the ports, the peak damping force is reduced during a longitudinal bypass zone of the stroke as defined by the port pattern. By locating a check valve within the passageway, bypass fluid flow will only occur in one direction.

Abstract: A gas valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a first portion of a first material and a second portion of second material which is less rigid than the first material. The first portion defines a rigid valve assembly body having a threaded portion to mount the valve to the shock body. The second portion is resilient and defines an integral plug and annular seal interconnected by a connecting member. The annular seal is molded adjacent a step engagement surface to seal the gas valve assembly to the shock body. A head having a tool engagement surface compresses the annular seal when the gas valve assembly is threaded in place.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock absorber body defining a cavity that is at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A piston is slidably arranged within the body and separates the cavity into rebound and compression fluid chambers. A rod is secured to the piston and includes first and second portions that are respectively adjacent to the rebound and compression chambers. A fluid passageway extends between the first and second portions to fluidly connect the rebound and compression chambers. In this manner, fluid is permitted to flow through the rod to provide damping characteristics in addition to those damping characteristics typically provided by the piston. A valve assembly, which may include a one-way check valve, is arranged within the passageway for controlling the flow of fluid between the rebound and compression chambers through the passageway. Preferably, the rod includes a longitudinal bore having an adjustable plunger arranged therein.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided that includes a shock absorber body defining a cavity that is at least partially filled with hydraulic fluid. A piston is slidably arranged within the body and separates the cavity into rebound and compression fluid chambers. A rod is secured to the piston and includes first and second portions that are respectively adjacent to the rebound and compression chambers. A fluid passageway extends between the first and second portions to fluidly connect the rebound and compression chambers. In this manner, fluid is permitted to flow through the rod to provide damping characteristics in addition to those damping characteristics typically provided by the piston. A valve assembly, which may include a one-way check valve, is arranged within the passageway for controlling the flow of fluid between the rebound and compression chambers through the passageway. Preferably, the rod includes a longitudinal bore having an adjustable plunger arranged therein.