Greetings and Thanks for the help,

If the new one you got was gold in color then it probably is the hardened new design. I think not only the constant pounding of the rack causes the pin to flatten out on the end but also weaken the spring over time. Sounds like a great price as well. Did the new pin come with a sealing o-ring as well?

Thanks,

Charles

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'84 300SD 256,000 Gold on Brown (Mileage Award)
'86 300E 246,000 Blue on Tan