PURPOSE: To possess sway damping effect together with vehicle height adjusting function in a variable damping force type shock absorber, by selecting a vehicle height adjusting means through a variable damping force means when expansion/ contraction speed of frequency is over a prescribed value.

CONSTITUTION: Expansion/contraction speed and frequency of a shock absorber SA are respectively detected by an expansion/contraction speed detecting means 41 and an expansion/contraction frequency detecting means 42, and the result are input to a microcomputer ECU. The ECU compares the detected speed and frequency with respective prescribed values. When either of them is over the prescribed value, a vehicle height adjusting means is selected by a damping force control means 43, and the shock absorber SA is controlled to gradually extend to heighten the vehicle height. By this constitution, damping effect against sway is given.