Getting older and wrenching - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

barry12345 · #31 02-16-2020, 12:19 PM

Depends on what seems to motivate some of us as well. I do not feel productive when not doing something. It may be little more than a habit. At it provides exercise for the mind.

Somehow it seems to help keep me going. I could wake up dead tomorrow but have no control over that. I just enjoy being engaged in things.

If one where to totally lose their drive or physical issues become too great. There usually are decent backyard type mechanics around. Or dealer guys doing some work at home. Mainline garages and dealerships are generally really expensive.

ROLLGUY · #32 02-16-2020, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

................There usually are decent backyard type mechanics around. Or dealer guys doing some work at home. Mainline garages and dealerships are generally really expensive.

Yes, and very few (if any) will work on these older cars. If it can't be connected to their computer somehow, they usually won't work on it.

rp930 · #33 02-18-2020, 08:15 PM

64 here, surprised eyesight hasn't been mentioned. I spend more time looking at wrench and socket sizes than the actual work. Under the car three different reading glass strength's. Some positions can't use any of them. I'm going to try color code when I finish current project.

engatwork · #34 02-18-2020, 08:24 PM

Now that you mention it I use a Petzl headlight and Walmart reading glasses. I've got to have lots of light.

ROLLGUY · #35 02-18-2020, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rp930

64 here, surprised eyesight hasn't been mentioned. I spend more time looking at wrench and socket sizes than the actual work. Under the car three different reading glass strength's. Some positions can't use any of them. I'm going to try color code when I finish current project.

Years ago I bought the colored sockets and gear wrenches from Harbor Freight. Once you learn the colors, it is easy to find the right tool size. I have a set of Craftsman sockets, and I have to look very closely to see the size. I use the HF sockets exclusively now.

KrustyKustom · #36 02-18-2020, 10:49 PM

I am 50 this year and have become more fascinated at how others see themselves as they get older. Some get notably grumpy, some get more easy going and happy. Thanks for your input....and keep wrenching!

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry12345

I will be 78 this July. I still seem to possess the ability. I just lack the drive to get to things done as fast As I ounce did.

So getting some delayed projects done as the weather warms up this year does concern me. Also in the last couple of years I am losing muscle mass and strength. I can usually compensate for this but it is going to get worse.

I am actually grateful at the same time. Too many other guys are gone before this age. Plus I cannot be a judge of my own mind. Yet it does not seem to have any real issues yet. My general disposition also seems to remain okay as well.

I do believe the axiom use it or lose it as well though. If you spend too much time in a recliner or equivelent you will go downhill. At least get out and walk every day in reasonable weather. Unless some existing condition is present that complicates it.

I for example like the wife giving me a list of errands to do as well..This is in the last year or two. I am careful not to displace what she generally does. Actually by doing them I have come to understand why it takes her so long as there are so many.

I suspect even though I am five years older than her. I am just in better physical condition. Mentally I am not as smart as she is but that has always been the case.

Come to think of it I never got around to checking her birth certificate.

I am also happy for both of us that we still get along with each other well. I write a lot of things in my life off as just good coincidence.

We both also retain a decent level of humor in our lives. Neither of us are what I would call frail yet. Where most our contemporaries are to some extent.

The reality though is either of us could wake up dead tomorrow. It is of no real concern. Simply because we have no control over it. Life would be very strange if the wife passed on first though.

I have no ideal of what I would do. I have lived with women so long I forget what freedom is like.

Women seem far more fatalistic than men and tend to cope better alone. Unless they have been suppressed during a long term marriage. I purchased a lifetime of brownie points by working at enabling my wife. From the beginning. It has made me happy to just see her happy as a result all these years.

We also can have different viewpoints on many things. Yet we have never gotten into a serious type argument or disagreement. This kind of amazes me in one way and concerns me in another.

I have heard that many older couples that are miserable with living together. Just stay together so the survivor takes all. Possibly true. Or they do not want their children dealing with the disruption in a family it creates by parting ways.

vwnate1 · #37 02-19-2020, 12:06 PM

FORGET YOU ! I'M NOT GRUMPY !

.

Now, get offa my lawn !

.

Graham · #38 02-19-2020, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

Now, get offa my lawn !

.

Talking about FORD movies, anyone seen Ford vs Ferrari. Much better than I expected.

One of the advantages of getting older - have time to once in a while see a movie on a rainy day.

vwnate1 · #39 02-20-2020, 03:12 PM

I believe there's a thread about it on the off topic forums, well liked, I still need to go see it .

A buddy of mine was one of the camera men and kept dropping hints that we'd like it when finished....

benzguy300 · #40 02-20-2020, 06:09 PM

I been reading this thread because I’m getting older like everyone else I’m 60 and still wrenching and I saw this add for a lift in Facebook add for $89.99 and for me it’s too cheap to believe it I don’t know if the link it’s going to work

SD Blue · #41 02-20-2020, 06:15 PM

The reason older men are grumpy is due to the side effects of some of their medications. They usually make you miserable enough that it doesn't take much for someone to get on their already frazzled nerves. Get on about half a dozen, or more, and you will find out about constant nausea, constipation, and body aches.

This is another factor in the desire to tinker with older vehicles.

A lift for $89 ? I would be highly fearful of such a unit.

my83300cd · #42 02-20-2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD Blue

The reason older men are grumpy is due ....

One of the best lines I got from my dad was " I'm a 23 year old brain trapped in a 63 year old body."

OM617YOTA · #43 02-20-2020, 11:48 PM

Just hit 35 myself, so ~half most of your ages. I'm taking notes, believe me.

What have I done thus far to help with wrench turning?

Anathema on an MBZ diesel forum, but the biggest thing I did to make wrenching easier was make my daily driver that gets most of the miles a boring Japanese 4 cylinder. Bought it at 54k miles, it's at 119k now and has needed maintenance and an ignition coil in that time. I plan to take it somewhere north of 200k and then get another boring soulless reliable Japanese 4 cylinder.

The easiest wrench turning you'll ever do is wrench turning that doesn't need to be done.

Murkybenz · #44 02-21-2020, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rp930

64 here, surprised eyesight hasn't been mentioned. I spend more time looking at wrench and socket sizes than the actual work. Under the car three different reading glass strength's. Some positions can't use any of them. I'm going to try color code when I finish current project.

55 and wear glasses , although sights not bad I struggle with close up as my glasses like everybody's are set to read at a distance ie a book about 20 inches in front of me.
Everything closer than that is blurred and I struggled when replacing an injector seal on the 642 in my Jeep as I had to have the light and angle of view just right to be able to see seat cutting had gone ok.

MS Fowler · #45 02-21-2020, 09:56 AM

My 2 cents... 71 years old and just recovering from shoulder replacement.
If you have the space--get a lift. If you don't have the space, get creative and make space.
My garage has 10 sidewalls--and regular trusses ( not scissored) so the ceiling is at 10'...too low for use of lift.
I built houses for years and also did structural inspections for more ears than that. I knew it was possible to sister in larger rafters to the upper chords of some trusses and then cut out the center of the bottom chord. I figured that 2X10 would work, but my engineer said that 2X12 were needed---in all his calculation programs the 2X10 failed just short of the bearing wall. So I trusted my engineer and got the 2x12, and struggled to get them in. Three years later, I am VERY happy--no roof issues, and the lift puts any vehicle I have into that raised area, and i can walk directly under. No more rolling on the floor. When I need a different size wrench than the one I "thought" was right, I simply walk back to the tool box and get it....no more rolling out, sitting up ( groan) stand up ( groan) and--well you know the drill.
The lift has permitted me to continue my hobby. I chose a 4 post lift because of uncertain quality of the concrete floor. That concrete floor is extremely important for a 2 post lift because the loads want to pullout the anchors. The 4 post loads are safer if you aren't sure of the concrete.
I think my lift was about $2500 installed. It is perfect for hobby use. It might not last in aggressive commercial use, but fine for what i do.