A damper having an adjustable spring rate, comprising: a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends; elastomeric seals (69, 71) in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals (69, 71) being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston, the seals (69, 71) also defining fluid chambers (83, 85) adjacent the ends of the piston; and a primary passage communicating the fluid chambers (83, 85); characterised by a selectively switchable damping valve disposed within the piston and in fluid communication with the primary passage for controlling a flow of fluid from one of the chambers (83, 85) to another of the chambers (85, 83) through the primary passage, the switching damping valve being configured to open and close the primary passage; and wherein when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted by the switchable damping valve being in an open position, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals (69, 71); and when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted by the switchable damping valve being in a closed position, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals (69, 71). a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends; elastomeric seals (69, 71) in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals (69, 71) being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston, the seals (69, 71) also defining fluid chambers (83, 85) adjacent the ends of the piston; and a primary passage communicating the fluid chambers (83, 85); a selectively switchable damping valve disposed within the piston and in fluid communication with the primary passage for controlling a flow of fluid from one of the chambers (83, 85) to another of the chambers (85, 83) through the primary passage, the switching damping valve being configured to open and close the primary passage; and wherein when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted by the switchable damping valve being in an open position, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals (69, 71); and when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted by the switchable damping valve being in a closed position, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals (69, 71). when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted by the switchable damping valve being in an open position, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals (69, 71); and when the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted by the switchable damping valve being in a closed position, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals (69, 71).