Strut with controlled variable damping rate

An apparatus for damping relative movement of parts. The apparatus includes a cylinder (94) defining a fluid chamber. A piston (102) is located in the fluid chamber and divides the fluid chamber into first (104) and second (106) fluid chamber portions. The piston is connected to one of the parts and the cylinder is connected to the other of the parts. The piston and cylinder move relatively in compression and expansion strokes to damp relative movement of the parts. A fluid reservoir (98) is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber portion. A first valve (162) controls fluid flow from the first fluid chamber portion into the fluid reservoir upon movement of the piston and cylinder during a compression stroke. A damping control provides a variable damping force resisting movement of the piston and cylinder during an expansion stroke. The damping control includes a second valve (202) movable with the piston for controlling the fluid flow from the second fluid chamber portion to the first fluid chamber portion. The second valve opens by fluid pressure in the fluid second chamber portion. A variable force is applied to the second valve to resist opening of the second valve.