Was this an OEM addition? I've never seen it before.
I understand why it's been done but from an engineering point of view, I don't like it for 2 reasons.
Firstly, when the diff housing contacts the rubber it is transferring a shock load into the the rear hoop in it's weakest position and they've drilled holes in the hoop.
Secondly, when the diff housing contacts the rubber, in effect it stops moving upwards. However the wheels and outer parts of the axle will still try to move upwards and induce a significant bending moment into the joint between the diff housing and the axle tubes.
I'm not saying it will fail but it's not good engineering practice and, if it was my car, I would fit Roger's bump stops and remove this rubber.
Only IMHO and usual caveats apply.
Last edited by IvorMog; 11/01/20 09:14 AM.
