I wanted to change the rear right tie rod on my '88 190e, as it was bent. I couldn't get the eccentric bolt off since I didn't have cutting tools, so instead of buying them, I decided to take the car to the mech. So, I put the nut back on the eccentric bolt, that was fine.

Then, I put the balljoint end back (4e in the 1st pic), tried to tighten the nut and it just won't tighten. Don't have the right size allen to stick in the balljoint head, too late to get one now. Funny because the allen did fit in the new part, but doesn't in the old one??!!

So now the car has a kind of loose, old tie rod. The wheel is visibly off camber and a 1 km test drive went ok (with some screeching), and the nut didn't move (I felt it with my hand and it was in the same position). But, I was quite nervous, especially about the screeching.

So now I have 2 questions:

1. Can I drive the car about 40 miles to my indy?
2. Can I drive it on the highway?
3. Am I insane and I should just get it towed NOW, DAMMIT?

Any answers before I leave home in 5 hours would be greatly appreciated.

Pics:

TIE ROD REFERENCE


BALLJOINT GAP


NEARLY OFF NUT


CAMBER 1


CAMBER 2


CAMBER LEFT SIDE (UNDAMAGED)

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'88 190E 2.6