Abstract: A piston and cylinder type damper has a cylinder (12) with a longitudinal axis (x) containing damping fluid. A piston assembly (10) is mounted in the cylinder (12) for reciprocal movement along the axis (x). The piston assembly (10) divides the interior of the cylinder (12) into two chambers (A, B), and provides a pathway for flow of damping fluid between them. The pathway includes a control passage (24) for restricting flow of damping fluid across the piston assembly (10). A sealing element (21) is provided for selectively sealing the piston assembly (10) against the cylinder (12). The control passage (24) and the sealing element (21) are arranged to be positioned at axially spaced apart locations.