The tire has no lean when the wheel is straight. It is only at the extreme.

I took my car to an alignment shop that only does alignments, not suspension work. They found everything OK and I got a before and after printout. Was a really cheap alignment, but was hoping something would be found...

If they gave you a printout post it here and the guys can tell you if the numbers are right..I do not know what the numbers mean

I think that lean may be the alignment...caster or camber
Might be a good idea to go to a front end place and get an estimate too

Well visually there is no lean when the wheels are straight. It is almost as if (seemingly to me) the wheel tilts out at the top when turned further out.

My tires had a lean to them also..they tipped in at the top, causing inside tire wear...look up "tie rod" and find out how to check if they are good.
I think what you do is jack up the side that you want to test, and place your hands at 3 oclock and 9 oclock on the tires and push right and pull left on the tire ( wiggle it back and forth) and have someone help you. There should not be play in the wheel. Watch at the tie rods too, should not have play in the little ball joint. This is the tie rod http://catalog.peachparts.com/ShopByVehicle.epc?q=&yearid=1982@@1982&makeid=63@@MERCEDES+BENZ@@X&modelid=6168%3AED|10000135%3AMBC| 1496@@300CD&catid=241580@@Steering&subcatid=241621@@Tie+Rod+Assembly+-+Center&applicationid=W0133-1621825@@Tie%20Rod%20Assembly%20-%20Left%20and%20Right&mode=PA

Pretty sure the lean has to do with the alignment...post your alignment numbers...plenty of complaints here about bad alignments too

Thanks! Just took some pics of the actual joints and put them in my other thread. I wont get the front end up to check it for a while, but as I recall from last time I had it up, there wasnt appreciable play...

Pics in the tie rod thread...

Just by looking at a picture will not help, you have to check to see if there is movement around that little screw/bolt I think there is a bushing underneath that boot and it goes bad over the years. The alignment or front end shop should be able to help you with that and show you if it is good or not. All the joints need to be solid, no play. Watch them while someone else moves the wheel for you. When mine came out, you could move the little bolt w/ one finger...not good.

will do, thanks!

I assume both wheels need to be up at once?