My feeling that it is bad is based on the binding issue. I can think of no reason why a properly working unit would bind at any time. Dunno if the oil supply is good. If it is not, I would imagine enough damage would have been done already that it would need to come out anyway and will check the oil supply at that point. The engine itself has good oil pressure, but I suppose the line could be blocked, somehow.

A point I failed to post is that I was initially turning it in the direction that it would be turning if the engine were running. It would bind off and on, but I would be able to overcome and continue turning. However, when I decided to try it in the other direction, it moved a bit and then stopped and I was unable to overcome the binding. I had to turn it the original direction again to be able to turn it. Something just ain't right here.

I'll try to do more checking tomorrow starting with trying to see if the wheel spins with the engine running. Then moving on to pulling the wastegate hose etc.

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-Louis

'87 300D Anthracite