guys over 50 doing maintenance

[ecotourist]

• Get a thin panel or two of foil faced isocyanurate insulation (1/2") or so to lay on, foil side up. It reflects body heat and adds a little cushioning .....
• Never kneel directly on concrete. Always use some kind of cushion, even if it's just some cheap HF moving blankets.

You had a number of good suggestions.

I use a big piece of cardboard to lie on. It provides a bit of padding, a bit of insulation and it's really cheap. I sometimes get oil on it so I have to get a new one periodically.

For jobs where I'm likely to be on my knees I start off wearing a pair of cheap foam knee pads. I really hate kneeling on concrete.

 

[mdtn952]

71 and still enjoy pouring new, fresh, & the latest and greatest oil into an engine....takes longer...need a pad here or there and a step ladder. I try to take advantage of all the safety steps...wheel chocks...jack stands just in case the plastic ramps decide to fail that day. Kinda limbers me up so to speak. More advanced & invasive maintenance is not in my skill set.

 

[AZjeff]

You got time - get some organizers, clean your drawers up, and wipe down those awesome tools!

I keep a spray can of Remoil and microfiber on my box. I live near the beach - and haven’t had an issue with rust on my tools. I don’t fish around looking for them, either.

For some reason I see your tools spotlessly clean and lined up in precision order. And they all say "Yes Sir."

Jeez, you guys are making me feel like a stud.

Only one person qualified for that duty.

FYI: A 2" thick gardening kneeling pad is a thing of beauty in the garage.

 

[nickaluch]

I turned 61 last month. I still do all my maintenance on cars and house. Will be putting on a new shingle roof this summer and am planning a full kitchen renovation for the fall/winter. Just completed renovation of laundry room and garage.
Am I sore the next day? Of course but as a city firefighter, I retired at 52, I often felt beaten after work even in my late twenties so I guess I’m conditioned to it lol

Shingle roof your more crazy than me

 

[ecotourist]

Wish I was 51 again...

Or 61, even 71 again.

 

[slo town]

FYI: A 2" thick gardening kneeling pad is a thing of beauty in the garage.

In the last year or two I’ve started using a yoga mat when doing oil changes.

Scott

 

[Bailey28]

52 here... It is not so much doing the job that hurts, it is the pain afterward. Most times I get headaches from the under car positions I put myself in. I rely on jack stands and ramps in the garage to get work done. I did invest in an impact to loosen lugnuts and larger bolts.

I did set off some kind of arthritis in my hand after sqeezing a wiring harness plug to get it apart. Squeezed so hard my entire hand blew up for a week. It took 6 months for it to return to normal.

Anyone feel like it takes longer now to complete a job vs when you were younger? Say a brake job on one axle. Years ago I had the car up, wheels off, rotors and bearings replaced, pads on, fluid flushed, wheels on, car down in an hour or two max. Now this takes half a day or longer!

 

[mikeduf]

Yeah 67 here, bought a 24 R4 hybrid. Probably the easiest car to do an oil change and filter.

Every car and truck is different and some are more complex to do maintenance like electronic stuff that gets in the way when you want to do a brake job you have to have the calipers recoiled or you won't be able to release the brake pads,
crap like that that makes working on a car very very annoying at times.

You must have the right tools now to get past those little things. Even an OBD tool with a battery connected to it to retain all of your vehicle settings is also a must unless you want to go down a rabbit hole of more frustration..

But the way I see it even little things like changing a cabin air filter or doing Home Maintenance projects keep you somewhat agile and know that you're still alive when you feel a little pain the next day. I kind of think of it as a home gym.
Just my two cents..

 

[NYEngineer]

I'll be 59 next month. I do pretty much everything myself still and teach my youngest son. Next year, after he finishes college, I get to start restoring my 68 roadrunner. I actually bought a rotisserie so I can spend less time on the floor. The plan is, once the rotisserie type work is complete, get a lift. I guess I could do it the old fashioned way and save a few bucks. We'll see how it goes and how I feel.

 

[Astro14]

For some reason I see your tools spotlessly clean and lined up in precision order. And they all say "Yes Sir."

They are.

But, to continue the metaphor; like my sailors, I do my very best to take care of them.

And they know it.

 

[2005jettatdi]

I am 72 and would not consider trusting any shop with an oil change on our vehicles. It is harder now, but still worth it. I know my limitations, I have not hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon since May 2021 but can still do the short hikes of 6 miles or so round trip.

A friend will be 82 in June. He just bought a big new band saw for his wood shop. He might win the contest for the most tools when he goes.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Need just the right 10MM? I got you!

Maybe the best 3/8" ratchet for the job?

 

[carviewsonic]

I picked up some medium size cardboard boxes (folded flat) from U Haul to provide a bit of cushion and insulation from the concrete. They stack nicely on the garage wall, and get re-used until there's a spill.

I had a local garage put a new set of brakes on the Ford Fusion a few months ago, something I've done myself for the past 45 years. Just didn't feel like doing it this time.
Still change all fluids myself though, don't mind doing that type of maintenance at all. Saves a few bucks, and I know it's done right.

 

[zzyzzx]

59 and doing more car stuff then ever.

 

[loneryder]

52 here. I don't love wrenching, but do a little here and there to save a few $$. It's definitely harder on my body that it was 20 years ago. I try to tackle my projects in bits and spurts these days, instead of trying to accomplish big jobs in one day. I also know when I'm out of my depth and just need to pay my mechanic.

And I don't blame you for quitting on the brake job. Have I ever told you all how much I hate brake work?

You ain't seen nothin yet. When you are 76 those bit and spurts get smaller and smaller. The only thing I do now is change oil on my MBs as it's real easy with a Mity vac and the filter on top. Also air and cabin filters. Cabin filters kill my back for a few days.

 

[loneryder]

50 is the new 35

It sounds like 50 is the new 75 on here.

 

[edyvw]

I am 72 and would not consider trusting any shop with an oil change on our vehicles. It is harder now, but still worth it. I know my limitations, I have not hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon since May 2021 but can still do the short hikes of 6 miles or so round trip.

A friend will be 82 in June. He just bought a big new band saw for his wood shop. He might win the contest for the most tools when he goes.

I regularly drink beer at the local pub at a ski place with 80+ years old. The oldest guy I had the opportunity to drink with there was 88.
The body in motion stays in motion.

 

[BHopkins]

I turned 68 in January. Admittedly, I've thought a few times that I should start paying someone else to do work on my cars. But then I consternate over if it will be done right. And I wonder if there could be things that I would not be seeing, that may need attention. And I remind myself that when I stop getting under my car, that means I am conceding to the effects of age.

Then I get out in the garage and start working on my cars, and find it very satisfying and enjoyable. So for at least a few more years, I'll be doing my own brakes, fluid and filter changes, and such.

 

[Dave P.]

I'm 68. Between my knees and my back, I try to create an economy of movement. When I get under and start the oil draining, I just lay there and watch it until it stops, remove the oil filter and install the new one and then I get up...carefully! I used to coordinate schedules and do all 3 cars in one day but if I do that now, I do feel it.

 

[Silverado12]

I'm 64 and have two hips and one complete knee. Now that's been done for a few years I feel better than I have in a long time and feel lucky I can still crawl under my cars and truck to do maintenance. I'll leave the big jobs to the shop but little jobs like ball joints, brakes, steering rack, struts, axles, etc. I do myself