a suspension strut having a piston tube containing a floating piston , slidable within a cylinder tube . a collar is fixed to the inner surface of the cylinder tube and contains a tapered wear ring . as the strut expands by extending the piston tube relative to the cylinder tube , the tapered wear band slides over valve orifices in the outer surface of the piston tube , gradually cutting off fluid flow from the annular space between the two tubes into an end cavity of the strut , thus increasing damping and reducing the likelihood of metal to metal contact at full strut extension . this reduces shock loads on the strut for smoother vehicle operation and increased component life .