Abstract: A rotary damper for a vehicle trailing arm suspension mechanism includes a housing defined by a body molded of a reinforced plastic and defining a fluid filled cavity in which a multi-bladed rotor is disposed to form plural fluid filled damper chambers. The rotor is connected to a shaft which is part of a linkage of the suspension system and the housing is operably secured to the vehicle frame. The rotor may also be formed of a molded plastic or cast or otherwise fabricated metal which is covered with an overmolded layer of plastic. The rotor tips may include elastomer seal strips or as cast seal strips and providing a slight interference fit with the housing cavity surfaces. Fluid sealing between the rotor and the body and housing cover plates is provided by the separate or integral seal strips or by clearances small enough to restrict fluid flow except through flow restricting passages and damping action control valves.