Rear Axle Damper?

[freestyle]

When my '96 rav4 was serviced it was mentioned that the rear axle damper was weak.

a ) what's a rear axle damper?

b ) how much is it likely to cost to fix?

[sjrainsford]

Hmm, not so sure about any dampers on the axle itself as per say.

But the rear suspension has dampers, as do every other car in general. Commonly described as a shock absorber by most which may help you understand what they are on about.

[freestyle]

a friend has mentioned about it possibly being the "rear diff mount damper ", would that make more sense?

[sjrainsford]

Yeah, actually it's more likely to be that. These commonly fail on the earlier Rav4's.

It's basically the rubber mountings that hold the rear differential in place. If you accelerate rather bluntly you should hear the rear diff knock if they are going normally.

[freestyle]

Aha!

If i do accelerate rather quickly and then change gear, there is a knock from the rear when i disengage the clutch.

Does that sound like what you mean?

[sjrainsford]

Yep, sure does!