An injection-moulded polypropylene dust shield tube (stone guard) which can be mounted with a snap-on fit on a flange member carried by a piston rod of a telescopic shock absorber, primarily for use in a motor vehicle, comprises a hollow cylindrical body portion formed adjacent one end with two axially spaced rings of circumferentially equi-spaced internal projections forming internal castellations, arranged with the castellations of the two rings in alternating sequence, and with circumferential clearance between the alternate castellations of the two rings as seen in end elevation. With this construction, the injection moulding may be carried out using a two-part mould core the two parts of which, after moulding, are withdrawn in opposite axial directions without riding over, and thereby possibly damaging, the newly formed internal castellations.
A dust shield for use with a damper includes a hollow cylindrical body having first and second ends. A plurality of convolutions are provided in the outer surface of the body between its ends. A plurality of inwardly projecting fingers are provided in the body portion. Each finger includes a centering rib extending to the damper to prevent shifting of the dust shield during use, thereby eliminating contact between the dust shield and a surrounding coil spring or a bump plate mounted on the damper. Additionally, each finger includes a retaining wall. The bump plate engages the retaining wall during rebound of the damper to pull the dust shield to its approximate original length to provide full-time cover of a piston rod of the damper.
