thanks! that answers that! Guess that makes sense - not very safe to hang the fuel out the back end like that, eh?

Ooops, I uploaded the wrong 2nd pic! That pic was a before shot of my axle. I replaced it last month thank to help from all of you guys!

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT