A Telescopic shock absorber derives its name from the tubular shape of earlier telescopes used in ancient times. This are of two types the monotube type and the twin tube type. Where in a twin tube type shock absorber is shown, rod G is attached to the two way valve A, while another similar two way valve B is attached at the lower end of a cylinder C. There is a fluid in the space below valve assembly A, below B and also in the annular space between cylinder C and tube D, which is connected to the space below the valve assembly B as shown. H is gland in the head J and any fluid scrapped off by rod G is brought down into the annular space through the inclind passage shown in the head. The eye E is connected to the axle, while the eye F is attached to the chassis frame. The fluid generally used in shock absorbers is a mixture of 60% transformer oil and 40% turbine oil.

Monotube type is similar to the Twin tube type described above, except that in this there is a single tube with piston inside. The Piston has two valves in it, one opens during bump, while the other opens during rebound. Larger orifices that is holes allow greater fluid flow through the valves over small or low speed bumps, whereas during bigger / high speed bumps, orifices are made smaller by the actuation of particular valve components, reducing fluid flow through the valve orifices, thus keeping the tyres in contact with the road surface. This makes the design of these valves quite complex.

Modern shock absorbers are velocity sensitive that is the faster the suspension moves, the more resistance the shock absorber provides. This results in shock absorber adjusting to road conditions and controlling all the unwanted motions that occur in a moving vehicle example bounce, sway, brake dip, acceleration squat, etc

The Air Jacker is an air inflated shock absorber, to bring the car back to the level when the load weighs it down, by inflating either from a garage air line, or by a more sophisticated automatic pumping system, linked to the car engine. Both rear units are connected with a high pressure hose into a tee valve which automatically maintains a minimum safe pressure in the shock absorbers. From the tee valve the pipe is run to the air fill valve situated in a position accessible with an air line.

Inflatable shock absorbers are very similar to the standard shock absorber, except that these have an air chamber bladder. High pressure air in the bladder forces apart the upper and lower sections of the shock absorber, which increases the distance between the axle and the vehicle body, thereby helping the body to level. The air being compressible, does not have any significant effect on the overall performance of the shock absorber. In case of failure of the air circuit, it behaves only as an ordinary shock absorber.