Getting old and home mechanics.

[sunbeam alpine]

I didn't realise we were such a bunch of old farts on here!

I'm just the same - I refuse to crawl under a car now. Although I have a lift in the main garage and a pit in one of the other garages, they always seem to be occupied when I urgently need to do something. These days I just take one of the other cars...

[smn159]

sliks said:

And I've hurt my wrist (permanently) due to 'overuse'

We've all been there...

[paintman]

Not just me then!

Jobs to do on both cars & the van.
I've got all the bits.
Just need to work on the enthusiasm!!

[Tony1963]

I’m 57 and spend my working days crawling over, under and inside Apache chollywopters. Cars? Pah!

[Dynion Araf Uchaf]

since getting a double garage in 2015, I've found more motivation to complete repairs on my cars ( mostly track/race)
However my eyesight is ste, I have to take my glasses off to see things close up, and then put them back on for everything else. Plus stiff joints, scratches and cuts and if I don't do some sort of limbering up before a day on the car `I feel it the day after. It doesn't help that I can't take my time over a job, I want it done there and then and hate having to wait for parts of tools to arrive.

However I do mostly enjoy it.

[randomeddy]

Spurry said:

Having done my share of engine changes in the street, it was great to build a barn and have a lift installed. It does make cleaning the wheels very easy.
However, having got to the stage of life where varifocals are required, it is a nightmare to try and focus on something very close to the face...Still, at least it's dry.

Now if I had that set up the job would have been done no problem at all. Very impressive.

[E-bmw]

59 & I have to say I have read most of the above with (a degree of) empathy but I do still enjoy it on the whole.

I have a reasonable sized garage which I can (just) work on the car all round if I move a few bits round. I have a good set of low & high stands & jacks and a very good set of tools.

I used to ache the day after a big job but since taking up more physical activity that has now pretty much ceased, so I seem to be bucking some of the trends above, with one exception.

I REALLY hate having to do jobs inside the car as it invariably means having to contort into weird shapes & at 6ft5 I just can't do it any more in my old age.

[Tyre Smoke]

You'd love the Trabant then! I'm 5'8" and I bang my head getting in and out to drive it.

[B'stard Child]

E-bmw said:

I REALLY hate having to do jobs inside the car as it invariably means having to contort into weird shapes & at 6ft5 I just can't do it any more in my old age.

I take the seats out now if I know I'm going to be under the dash - yes it takes time but at least I can then lie on the carpet (after a thorough clean )

Pre clean (Actually ended up looking like I was sitting on the bulkhead when I was replacing the pollen filter)

[B'stard Child]

Tyre Smoke said:

You'd love the Trabant then! I'm 5'8" and I bang my head getting in and out to drive it.

How are you dealing with the dents?

[Tony1963]

Dynion Araf Uchaf said:

However my eyesight is ste, I have to take my glasses off to see things close up, and then put them back on for everything else.

I had the opposite issue, especially working on aircraft. Then about 6 years ago I tried multifocal contact lenses. Never looked back. And if I need to I can pop my glasses on too for really fine detail close up work.

[tapkaJohnD]

It's not the lying down under the car, it's not the levering andpulling on bolts and suspension arms.

It's the getting up afterwards!

John (74, going on 75)

[smn159]

Home mechanics you say?

[Pistom]

My dad was 84 and was doing his cars until he died. Last job he did was replacement timing chain on a Jag. If it starts to be a struggle, I say just buy better tools.

[sociopath]

I'm 59 and was underneath my westfield yesterday, am I doing this wrong?

Like another poster I'm crap at electrics but I know a man, other than that.

Then again a westfield is pretty easy to work on

[AW111]

I find it's the energy levels that are down.
My 30 year old mate can do a full days work, and then put in another 4+ hours on the car(s) in the evening.

I could do that when I was his age too, but now if it's more than an hours work, it waits for the weekend. Or next weekend. I'll get around to it eventually.

[randomeddy]

[DVandrews]

66 and still fitting major engine upgrades to Caterham Sevens and Lotus Elises/Exiges single handed on a regular and frequent basis, some involving change of rods and pistons from underneath (not so easy on an Elise as they are buried in the middle of the car with an enveloping undertray to deal with). Wife keeps telling me to stop doing installations (some take 3-4 days plus), but while I am still able it’s good to feel useful..

[Pistom]

AW111 said:

I find it's the energy levels that are down.
My 30 year old mate can do a full days work, and then put in another 4+ hours on the car(s) in the evening.

I could do that when I was his age too, but now if it's more than an hours work, it waits for the weekend. Or next weekend. I'll get around to it eventually.

So that's why everything is taking me so long!!!

[wuckfitracing]

53 here, took the engine and gearbox out of the TVR on my own 3 weeks ago, double garage, 4 post ramp and all the right tools to do the job and a woodburner for when it gets too cold. If it was my daily on the ground whilst it was cold or raining or outside then no. I do love the physical element of these jobs but it is taking longer to stop aching afterwards. The biggest thing for me is the Mrs doesn`t moan about me doing it, she has a Morgan so she`s a car nut as well.