Abstract: A sudden change in the repulsive force of a piston rod and the resulting excessive increase of the vehicular height are to be suppressed.A small-diameter portion 10A and a large-diameter portion 10B are formed in the inner periphery of a pump cylinder 10, and a valve cover 21 is provided at the lower end of a pump rod 9 so as to accommodate an inlet valve 6 therein. The valve cover 21 has a discharge port 6a which when positioned within the small-diameter portion 10A is closed and which when positioned within the large-diameter portion 10B is opened to a pump chamber 12.

Abstract: A damping force regulation device for a telescopic shock absorber causes all the hydraulic fluid to flow through a damping force adjuster (variable orifice) which is arranged in series with damping valves, both in expansion and contraction strokes of a piston. The diameter of the orifice is variable to control the damping force over a substantial range and thereby set up a damping characteristic optimum for each specific running condition. During the expansion stroke, a check valve of a base valve is opened to eliminate short suction which would otherwise result in cavitation or noise.