So, I just got back from the shop, and here were the findings. I spent a while talking with my service manager and also drove around a while with the actual service tech who is roadtesting the car and works on all the W123 / W124 models the shop gets.

Verdict: My lower ball joints are getting near the end of their life and have a nontrivial amount of play in them, on the order on 1 - 2 mm. Tie rod end are also getting loose and probably ought to be replaced. This makes sense to me as the steering can seem a little loose around town and on the highway. It also could probably explain a lot of the creaks and groans I have. I'm getting new ball joints and tie rod ends put in next month.

I have some other creaks and groans that sounds very much like old and worn bushings, but it's probably not a safety things to be concerned about.

As well, there is a fair bit of play in my steering box, which apparently near the max adjustment limit. I want to get that done, but the story appear to be that getting new ones just doesn't happen anymore, so the other option is to rebuild. What are you folks' thoughts on this?

Anyway, it was in the shop for just about $175 worth of time -- given that I have a young family I feel like this was $$$ well spent to learn about some issues I need to take care of in order to stay good and safe!

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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic