PROTECTION PLUGS WITH BIDIRECTIONAL PRESSURIZING FUNCTIONALITY FOR SHOCK ABSORBER

A hydraulic port protection plug for insertion into a hydraulic port in a shock absorber assembly, where the hydraulic port protection plug comprises a cap portion with a disc-shaped end wall and a tubular body that extends from the cap portion to define an open-ended cavity. The open-ended cavity extends within the tubular body of the hydraulic port protection plug and is bounded at one end by the cap portion. A self-closing pressure relief opening extends through the cap portion and is arranged in fluid communication with the open-ended cavity. At least a portion of the cap portion is made of an elastic material that permits the self-closing pressure relief opening to open and close in response to pressure changes.