Originally Posted by iladelf

Thanks for being cooler heads than myself, everyone. I just get real discouraged and angry fiddling with this old car. Seems like every two months or less, I'm doing something to it. For sure, these old W123 diesels are not low-maintenance. From fuel filters to valve adjustments to motor mounts to power steering fluid r&r to fixing a/c or heat to automatic door looks to power window operation to steering/suspension issues to exhaust flex pipe replacement to the injection pump to the injectors to...

It...never...ends. Sure, some of this you'd run into with any car, but I have never, ever owned a car that required so much of either my time, my family's time assisting me or in a mechanic's shop.

Back on-topic, I intend on moving some of that rat's nest of vacuum to at least get a wrench on to loosen. Still don't think I'll have enough room to fit the 12mm in to do the adjustment. With a night of sleep, perhaps it will become an easier project to do. For the record, the back of this bolt looks gold, so that to me would indicate the replacement rack damper bolt. Doesn't mean it's still functioning well, though.