Okay. I was thinking that might be a possibility. I guess any amount of movement/play would indicate the need to replace. Thanks. I will check it out tonight and let you know what I find.

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'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
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"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

Hi
For me, my cheap Harbor Freight mechanic's stethoscope does a good job finding bad bearings in water pumps and alternators.
Joseph

I actually tried the HF stethoscope on the water pump and wasn't really convinced by what I heard (which was not much except the regular background engine clanging). I did not, however, try out the alternator. I'll give that a shot too. Thanks.

__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles
'79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold)
'83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer)
______________________________________

"Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman

That can be a good way to check the only thing is the belt tension can take up the slop in a slightly loose bearing. If you want to do this and you don’t have a stethoscope you can use a long (long enough to keep hair and cloths out of moving parts) screw driver and put the tip on what you want to listen to and press your ear to the other end of the screw driver. The sound transmits through the screw driver. You can use almost anything that will reach; I’ve used a wooden dowel, pens, pencils etc.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

Take off the serpentine belt, start engine. That way you will at least know if it's a belt driven accessory. Could be a half dozen things.