This paper presents a complex idealized mathematical model and a new procedure for optimum design of a rubber crankshaft vibration absorber for automobile engines. The model is a multi-mass formulation, containing all gas torques of the individual cylinders and all types of damping of the individual engine parts. In particular, dry friction damping, a non-linear damping caused by auxiliaries, is brought into the model. In the description of the optimization procedure for lowest maximum torsional amplitude with a multi-DOF system, design considerations of non-bonded rubber absorbers, establishment of an objective function and contraints, and application of the 'Complex Method' are covered.