* Sway Bar (Anti-Roll Bar): This is the most common type of axle damper. It's a bar that connects the left and right suspension control arms (or sometimes the suspension knuckles). When one side of the car rolls (during cornering or over bumps), the sway bar resists that roll by transferring force to the other side. This reduces body lean and improves handling responsiveness. The Mustang will have a front and possibly a rear sway bar.
* Rear Axle Bushings (on some models): The rear axle's bushings are rubber components that connect the axle housing to the car's body. While not strictly "dampers" in the same sense as a sway bar, worn-out bushings allow excessive movement and can lead to axle tramp (a violent axle hop) and poor handling. Replacing them with high-quality bushings can significantly improve axle stability.
* Shocks and Struts: While not directly called axle dampers, shocks and struts significantly affect how the axles move. They control the vertical movement of the wheels, indirectly preventing excessive bouncing and axle movement which could lead to poor handling.
Therefore, when someone refers to an "axle damper" on a Mustang, they're likely talking about the sway bars or, less often, the condition of the rear axle bushings. It's crucial to specify which component you mean if you're having a repair done or are discussing a specific part.
