Success!
 

It was a lot easier to hold the allen in place and turn the nut to break it. Down to about an inch of slop now. :)

While I have your attention, I'm bringing the old girl into a MB dealer shop next week to have some stuff checked out and to get some quotes...good glow plugs, possible valve adjustment, check for vacuum leaks, and basically to get it up on a lift and make sure nothing's about to rust through or fall off. ;) I want to get her ready for the winter before it starts getting cold. Being the newbie that I am, is there anything you guys recommend I specifically get checked out while it's there that is probably about to go or need some tlc on a 23 year old car? Not just winter prep related stuff, but anything at all?
Thanks for all the help!

if you dont know when it was done it might be good to purge the brakes and install new fluid.

also clean you battery cables and coat for anti corrosion.

tom w