Abstract: A shock absorber comprising an elongated cylindrical pressure cylinder having a piston reciprocally disposed therewithin and connected to a piston rod extending outwardly from one end thereof, teh piston rod carrying a dirt shield which extends coaxially of the pressure cylinder and in partial surrounding relationship therewith. The pressure cylinder is adapted to be filled with preselected quantities of hydraulic damping fluid and a pressurized gas for damping reciprocal movement of the piston therewith. The piston is provided with a novel valve arrangement which controls the compression and rebound characteristics of the shock absorber, and one end of the pressure cylinder is provided with a novel rod guide assembly which is designed so as to provide for convenient charging of the cylinder with the aforesaid pressurized gas.