Differential Damper

[fixitman]

Does any one have a photo which shows an installed differential damper? The shop tells me the rear sway bar is hitting it as it rotates. I want to make sure the damper, as shown in this photo, is properly installed .

Thanks,

Fixitman

[Carl Beck]

It seems to me, that if your anti-sway bar moves enough between its mounts, to hit the differential mount, then you need to replace the anti-sway bar mounts. Rather than provide more room for the anti-sway bar to move..

It's been a while since I messed with the differential mount in a 260Z, but as I recall you can't put the differential mount in backwards - if you do the bolts don't line up.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[fixitman]

I'm not sure I understand your comment. Depending on which way it's rotating, the swaybar is either hitting the drive shaft yoke or the differential damper as the rear suspension travels up or down. I was wondering if the damper should/could be rotated 180 degrees, so that the vertical section is behind the differential cross member.

The shop replaced the Euro Stage 1 springs with the original factory springs this week. The rear ride height came down to factory specs with a full tank of gas. So ride height isn't an issue now.

Your thoughts?

Fixitman

[Arne]

In theory, neither the differential not the cross-part of the sway bar should be moving up or down with suspension travel. The diff should be fairly firm, and only move under torque loads. The sway bar should twist, but the center part should never move vertically. If there is movement of this type with suspension travel, one or the other of these parts are not mounted securely.

[jmortensen]

In theory, neither the differential not the cross-part of the sway bar should be moving up or down with suspension travel. The diff should be fairly firm, and only move under torque loads. The sway bar should twist, but the center part should never move vertically. If there is movement of this type with suspension travel, one or the other of these parts are not mounted securely.

Sway bars don't twist nicely in the center. They do all sorts of weird contortions when bent. They also deflect the mount bushings.

A simple solution seems to be removing the damper.

[Arne]

Good point, Jon. I hadn't thought of that.

[fixitman]

But there is still the problem of the driveshaft/yoke interference with suspension movement.

I still think this car wanted to rest in pieces!

Fixitman

[Arne]

Again, I don't understand this problem. As if these parts are mounted properly, they should not really move any significant amount with suspension movement.

[sblake01]

First of all, your damper is mounted backwards. The rubber part goes toward the rear of the car. Secondly, I also think your sway bar is upside down as the curved part is there to allow for clearance between the bar and the driveshaft/yoke. That must be and aftermarket bar. The stock bar is straight so it clears without hitting anything.

[geezer]

I think that is the correct mounting for the stock bar for an early '74. Just turn the dampener around the right way.

Edited September 18, 2008 by geezer

[fixitman]

The bar is by Quickor, 7/8" dia. What rubber part are you referring to? Do you mean the stacked metal plates of the damper? The attached photo shows the sway bar from the other side.

Thanks,

Fixitman

[geezer]

The stacked metal plates are referred to as a vibration dampener (correct spelling for search purposes). There are a few different designs, put together by the dealerships, on a customer complaint basis. There are some posts here covering them. Have you tried removing it to see if it's even needed?

Edited September 18, 2008 by geezer