A rotary damper for use in motor vehicle suspensions comprising a rotor disposed within damping fluid in a fluid chamber of a casing to form inner fluid volume and outer fluid volume, with first valve and second valve for controlling flow between the inner fluid volume and the outer fluid volume, and an accumulator using closed cell foam as a compressible material for fluid fill variation and thermal expansion. First valve controls flow from the outer fluid volume to the inner fluid volume for one direction of rotation of the rotor, while second valve controls flow from the inner fluid volume to the outer fluid volume for the opposite rotation of the rotor. Thus, the valves are configured to provide independent control of damping for each direction of rotation. A valve holder supporting the valves and providing flow passages is designed for powdered metallurgy fabrication.