About 10 months ago, I bought a 76 300d. It was in rough shape- rusted and such- from the time I got it for $750. I did a lot of engine repair- vacuum pump rebuild, valve adjustment, new glow plugs, new starter, new thermostat, all new fuel lines, new rear shocks, put new tires on it. It still looks like ...you know...but it was running great. Compression isn't the best, but it was good. It has about 222,000 miles on it now.

Last night I was driving it home from San Diego and the brackets that hold the idler arm (??I think??) to the drivers front of the car (this, in case I've got it wrong, is the the big piece that the shocks fasten into on the bottom) fell off, rusted off, the bottom of the car. I had to drive it maybe 1/16th of a mile to get it out of traffic and into a parking lot with that huge piece of metal dragging on the ground. The drivers front wheel is tilted inward at an awful angle.

So today the car is just sitting there, about an hour from my house. I have to decide if I'm going to get it towed to a wrecker or a repair shop. Money is definitely an issue. I also have an 82 240d in my garage, awaiting rear axle repair.

What should I do guys?

thanks..deanna

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup

Junk it. It sounds like it is unsafe.
If you repair this problem, who knows when a another piece will fail from hidden rust.

I agree, junk it. Sounds unsafe to drive.

Don't just send it to the crusher. Find a pull-a-part junk yard that wants it so that it's good parts can still be of use.

Pull all the good stuff beforehand. Offer parts to local forum members for cheap if they help remove them.
Or, trade for the needed parts/help for your 240. You could use the new tires on the 240.

Cut your losses as much as possible.

options are low when you have a disabled car parked on someone elses property. If you can get the tow company to let you strip it after they tow that might be your best option, if you have a place to strip it at your house have them tow it home and take/sell what you can. then get a local to take it for free from your place for scrap. even if it just a lower bushing on the front arm youll have 1K fixing it, most likely theres a ton other things wrong too.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

About how much should I expect a parts yard to give me for this? I won't wreck it, I promise!

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup

That's a good question.....probably varies per your local yard. I've become nothing less of a fantatical cheerleader of this site www.junkyarding.com , I'd start by calling a local pick and pull?

I agree with the above advice though - if you can, strip off the good stuff (especially the rebuilds/new parts you just put on) and sell it on here......

Good luck - killing these noble beasts off doesn't sound like fun.....although my rusting 240d will eventually follow your path too.

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

Just don't take a chance on your safety...or others on the road..
if your description is correct then the steering is not safe...
so whatever you do have it towed to wherever....

Deanna , you should have your location listed ... that can really help in situations like this...

I just sold a 300D to the U-Pull-It for $300

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Did it still have the engine in it? They charge $200 for an engine here....and that does not include the alternator, starter, power steering, etc.....all that stuff is EXTRA.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Yes, it was a complete car with a frozen engine.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Ecology in Oceanside said they would take it for.....$75. Breaks my heart. I'm going to pull as much off of it as I can. I can't afford to have it towed to my house to part it out (which is what I'd rather do)- it's 70 miles away. So...cut the losses. Awful.

I think it's actually the control arm that fell off....the brackets it was bolted to rusted off. Rust has been eating this car for awhile.


So sad...the engine was running so well!

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1976 300D 217k...an old car needin some love. (GONE OFF TO RUSTY CAR HEAVEN)

1982 240D probably something like 190,000 miles...was Old Yeller, but I changed the name to Buttercup

Oh wow. Turns out that is my brothers old car. Someone should snag that engine. it always ran great.

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1979 240D with a 617 turbo diesel.

auto club or insurance might pay for the first part of it, after you strip it you should still be able to get the $75

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)