wow, $550 that seems high. i just priced some half-shafts for a 300d (not an sd) from auto-zone for $100 each. they are reman, but still if they only lasted half as long that's the route i'd go

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'93 300D 200k (since Aug 04)
'82 300TD 205k (since March 04)
'02 Ford Escape 192k (bought new)
'90 Ford Festiva 310k (since '92 with under 10k)
'01 Jeep TJ Wrangler 278k (since 07 with 235k)
'76 VW Westfalia van 150k ? (since '90 with 100k)
'72 Chevrolet Corvette conv. (base not a LT1) 175k (since '84 with 100k)
71' VW Squareback (since '72 with under 9k, odo turned over, then stopped then replaced. maybe 250k)
'87 Yamaha Riva 125 scooter 7k