Interesting little device. What does it do?

[Webmanic70]

I was putting the splash pan back on the car and noticed a u-bolt fixed around the gear housing with an extension on the clasp that housed a rubber bumper at the end that sits up against the central suspension member (see arrow in pic). Anyone else have this and know its purpose?

The car is Sept 1970 RHD 240z build and the front end has never been dismantled.

[siteunseen]

Some folks leave it off, http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/suspension-steering-s30/51061-rack-pinion-u-bolt-clamp-71z.html

[Webmanic70]

Thanks. I did not see this thread and I could not find any mention of it in the service manual nor do any of the pictures/diagrams seem to show it.