The paper analyses the problem of design of the magnetorheological (MR) fluid valve to be constrained within the cylindrical hole in the stationary barrier of rotary shock-absorber. The main objective is to maximise valve’s dynamic range (i.e. controllable/passive ratio of shock-absorber’s resistance torque) thus to maximise controlled part of the pressure drop along the MR valve. To obtain this, a special type of two-winding configuration with annular fluid gap is proposed.