Liquid cooled shock absorber

A shock absorber unit for a vehicle comprising a tubular shock absorber encased in an outer cylinder providing an annular space between an outer surface of the shock absorber and an inner surface of the outer cylinder, a first closure cap mounted on one end of the outer cylinder and secured to an end of the shock absorber, a second closure cap mounted on the other end of the outer cylinder so as to concentrically locate the other end of the shock absorber and a piston rod cooperating therewith, said first closure cap including an annular liquid distribution chamber adapted to be connected to a source of liquid coolant and having an outlet duct therein separate from a remainder of said annular chamber and open to the annular space, said annular chamber having connected thereto a plurality of coolant delivery tubes, circumferentially spaced apart in the annular space between the shock absorber and said outer cylinder and extending substantially the full length of the annular space, and wherein said coolant delivery tubes engage against the outer surface of the shock absorber and the inner surface of the outer cylinder so as to act as reinforcing strengthening members for said unit.