it wasn't until i got to the THIRD mechanic that the mysterious clunking noise was discovered. two bolts on the front wheel brake assembly were loose. "that'll be $15" was a great relief. i came so close to having the $400+ job done. can you imagine how torqued i would have been to pay over $400 and have the guy say "uh, i guess that didn't fix it either". thanks for all your input.

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1979 300sBd (that's Bio, baby!) - 170,000 miles