Turbo Dead

[LoosBenz]

Well, my $500 dollar '87 300D has been feeling sluggish off and on. Tonight I attached a gauge to the manifold port for the ALDA, revved 'er up and got...a...negative...reading.

Sooo, I pulled the bellows hose off of the turbo inlet and reached in to spin the wheel and... it turned However after fiddling with it some more, it was clear it wasn't turning as easily as I would expect with a healthy turbo and would intermittently bind, especially if I put any more pressure on one side of the wheel than the other. I grabbed the end of the shaft. No fore/aft play. But, if I pulled up and down on the end, the side-to-side play is pretty significant.

Oh wise forum. What sayest thou? Advice? Good cheap turbos for sale?

Thanks in advance.
-Louis