Getting older and wrenching - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mike D · #16 02-14-2020, 10:04 AM

Yup, crawling around sure gets tougher each year. At times it seems as though gravity is getting stronger. Might just be the iron in the vitamins I take increasing the magnetic pull on my butt.

'Course as my old Grand Pop used to say, "Getting older sucks but it sure beats the alternative".

Mxfrank · #17 02-14-2020, 11:13 AM

I’m always careful to have a phone handy these days, especially when I’m under the car. In case I fall down and can’t get up.

DDAY · #18 02-14-2020, 11:49 AM

I got tired of poor working conditions long ago. In 1999 I had a shop building built. The two big doors are 10' high and 10' wide. The inside ceiling clearance is 13' which is plenty big for cars. Too small for my dump truck and tractors. A window style AC and a ceiling gas furnace take care of the climate. Still had the problem of cramped conditions working under cars and equipment so I had a Mohawk two post lift installed in 2013. This style lift has no cables -- all hydraulic. $6,000. My extended family and neighbor use it more than I do and that is alright with me.

Having two good cars is a must -- "When one drives junk, one needs a lot of it."
Age, almost 83.

Lesson learned: Build bigger, higher wider and deeper. Buildings always seem to be too small. It only costs a small amount more to increase the dimensions on a building plan. Later alterations and expansion projects are very expensive in comparison.

vollpreuss · #19 02-14-2020, 09:34 PM

As I keep telling everyone laying on concrete for extended periods of time has ceased being fun.

Would really like to rebuild my garage and get a lift. But that's not happening anytime soon.

There is a shop by my brother's house that rents lifts at seemingly reasonable rates. Going to try that out in the near future and see how that goes.

vwnate1 · #20 02-14-2020, 10:42 PM

Therein lies the rub :

Many here can simply cut a check and buy a nice lift .

I have no $ nor any space to put one .

Apart from my dealer and civil service postings I've worked on the ground with hydraulic trolley jacks most of my entire career .

Certainly I don't miss lying on freezing cold concrete in New England in February one bit ! .

All manner of knee pads are out there now, be creative if you're underfunded like me .

alipak · #21 02-14-2020, 11:24 PM

I am going to be 67 this summer and age is catching up. Had elbow surgery in December and still recovering from the bone spur's that were burred.
Next year there is going to be a plain Jane Toyota in my garage on which Walmart can change oil.

dieselbenz1 · #22 02-15-2020, 07:06 AM

I've noticed no one mentioned using a creeper? I find one makes life under a vehicle much easier.

Graham · #23 02-15-2020, 10:27 AM

Turned 80 a few months ago. Celebrated by having melanomas removed. Now snowbirding - riding bikes and playing golf. A bit overweight, back pains (golf?) and some arthritis.
Up until last fall, I still did most of my car work. Hope to continue.
Our go south car is a new Outback, so it needs no work.
The 72, 85 & 98 Benzes have to be maintained & repaired.
Except for the 107, oil/filter changes are done from above. I only change the 107's filter every second year (suck oil every year).I will have shop change filter this year. Messy job anyway!
Because we have 4 cars for 2 drivers, mileage on the old cars is low and they are quite trouble free. And I can take my time doing repairs, because there is always a spare car.
Not much need to go under car. When I do, it is on smooth cardboard saved from large packaged items. Have good floor Jack that lifts car quite high plus jack stands. Also have ramps.
One job I have dodged so far, is replacing axles/CV boots on the 123. My 3M 5200 boot coating has stood up well so far. But when the time comes, shop will have to do that job.
Work under hood, dash, brakes, minor body work still ok for now.
Sometimes I have the notion to sell off the old cars and just own two new cars that are under warranty. That notion doesn't last long

hughowens · #24 02-15-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

Just a question for folks on here who are aging (like me). How do you handle doing repairs? Once I hit 60, I'm finding it harder to crawl under the car, and it hurts WAYYY more than it used to the next day. I can't afford a $5000 post lift, but I still want to enjoy doing my own work. Old age and jack stands just aren't cutting it together very well anymore. Any suggestions?

I get it. Same thing happened to me when I was young like you. I bought a HD Bendpak lift for a bit over 3K. TotallY worth it. Forget the cheap chinese junk. It will be coated with Corona virus anyway. Bendpak is great. good directions and no more sore back, dirt in eyes and creeper who get stuck. Nor more hunting for lost bolts and wrenches and sockets.

ah-kay · #25 02-15-2020, 04:08 PM

It's nice to have a lift but there are still a lot of diy jobs you can do without it. The important thing is to know your limitations. If you think it is too strenuous then hire someone to do it unless you can't afford to. Treat wrenching as a hobby or exercise to keep you sane. Nothing worth more than your well being.

Junkman · #26 02-15-2020, 06:50 PM

66 here. I've been riding bikes for 22 years and am in pretty good shape. I read 2 books that kick started my health (again) and they have helped some friends of mine get going. 1) younger next year & 2) China Study. Buy them used on Amazon and see whether they motivate you. Some yes, others no.

I'm too cheap to pay people to wrench and have had poor results when I've tried. A friend of mine just had an accident at work and is dead. That's been a motivator to get my projects finished or sold. I'm rehabing a cabin that we haven't lived in for 18 years. Projects fit in around bike riding, gym & a little bit of pay work. I'd like the pay work to go away but don't seem willing to turn it down.

I'll buy a lift for the cabin if I get the cabin fixed as well as I want. The lift will be a project because I need to build a building to put it in. Neither happens until the cabin is finished.

ROLLGUY · #27 02-15-2020, 11:08 PM

I have been working on cars all my life as a hobby (bought my first car, rebuilt the engine, and painted it soon after I got my license), and for the past 15 years, to put the beans on the table. I am 60 now, and will probably be working on cars till my Lord calls me home. I am very thankful that I have access to a lift. I definitely use it when the need arises. For changing oil, replacing suspension parts, A/C compressor installations, axles, and other easy repairs, I still use a jack and stands on my driveway. Yes it is getting harder to get up and out from under cars than it used to be. I think the thing that keeps me going, regardless of how hard it is, is that I really enjoy what I do. Ever since I got my first M B Diesel years ago, I have enjoyed every minute of the learning, repairing, and restoring of these cars. Enjoying what you do really helps relieve the pain of getting older!

vwnate1 · #28 02-16-2020, 09:30 AM

I recently let someone else replace the broken air cleaner 'T' bracket on my coupe and they didn't re install the washers and left the oil mist drain tube loose & flopping 'round, oil everywhere.... gah .

As mentioned you really need to work smarter so you can both get things done and not get hurt or have too much pain .

ROLLGUY · #29 02-16-2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

I recently let someone else replace the broken air cleaner 'T' bracket on my coupe and they didn't re install the washers and left the oil mist drain tube loose & flopping 'round, oil everywhere.... gah .

As mentioned you really need to work smarter so you can both get things done and not get hurt or have too much pain .

I would add: Check others work (mine as well).

vwnate1 · #30 02-16-2020, 12:09 PM

Yes, I know this but it's a pain for me these days, I didn't think I'd need to double check Victor's work, I'm sure he let one of the young guys do it .

FWIW, I've tried to contact you repeatedly by E-mail and PM, no response .