Update- I replaced the upper and lower balljoints and the tierods and center link. While driving it to the tireshop for new tires and an alignment I could actually smell the rubber burning on the left front tire! It turns out that the toe in was 2 inches off! All is well now and hopefully I won't need new tires once a month. Also got new tires/alignment on the wagon so now the 240D is next.

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

Sweet.
I'm going to write up a DIY for alignment with simple objects for making tools for measuring toe and caster

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Nice- I would probably still get a professional alignment done, but it would be nice to get it close enough to safely drive it to the shop!

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

There are many DIYs on alignment if you do a simple google. You can at least use strings & jack stands to set the toe. 2" out would be very obvious & save a set of tires between the house & shop.

The good thing about SDs and 16yr old drivers is that the SD is big and slow. My 9 yr old will inherit the 85SD in 2017 - if he learns to maintain it.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Exactly my reasons for letting him drive it! That and I only paid $350 for it so if it gets trashed I won't have to stress about it. It has also been a great platform for learning basic mechanics. He has learned to change the oil, fuel filters, trans service, tire change/ rotation, a complete brake job, and recently balljoints and tierods. At first he wasn't thrilled with the car but he learned to love it, and while it was down for balljoints he was begging me to get it back on the road so he wouldn't have to drive the Excursion anymore!

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1984 300TD 1981 240D