Caught the problem before it happened!

[John Rogers]

My 2007 Chevy HHR that is used mainly to go to the range since the large range box and long muzzle loaders fit in just fine needed an oil and filter change. I decided to do the transmission filter and the gasket also since we have a 3 mile long dirt road off hwy. 94 to the sight. While laying there last Thursday waiting for the fluids to all drain out I looked around as I usually do and noted the left side engine mount was starting to crack through the molded rubber.

Ordered a new one from an online company Thursday night and got it Saturday about noon. There were 4 bolts to undo and the new one went in w/o a hassle. I looked at the others and they are fine so I guess I dodged a problem?! Now my joints and back ache but what the hell at 74 my wife says I should let the dealer do it, yea right!

[Tervuren]

This is one of the advantages of doing it yourself, the look around to see all is in order.

[BK911]

74 and still wrenching UNDER the car?
Huge props pops!!

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by BK911

74 and still wrenching UNDER the car?
Huge props pops!!

Right?

He's got 20 years on me and my back hurts just looking at the car.

[A930Rocket]

Nice!

I decided to install a leveling kit on my ‘14 F150 last weekend. While I was in there, I replaced the upper and lower control arms, plus the sway bar bushings and links. All on my knees and back in the driveway.

At 60, it was much tougher than at 40 or 50. I was beat.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

My 2007 Chevy HHR that is used mainly to go to the range since the large range box and long muzzle loaders fit in just fine needed an oil and filter change. I decided to do the transmission filter and the gasket also since we have a 3 mile long dirt road off hwy. 94 to the sight. While laying there last Thursday waiting for the fluids to all drain out I looked around as I usually do and noted the left side engine mount was starting to crack through the molded rubber.

Ordered a new one from an online company Thursday night and got it Saturday about noon. There were 4 bolts to undo and the new one went in w/o a hassle. I looked at the others and they are fine so I guess I dodged a problem?! Now my joints and back ache but what the hell at 74 my wife says I should let the dealer do it, yea right!

Respect to you, John and thanks for sharing...very inspirational!

Originally Posted by Tervuren

This is one of the advantages of doing it yourself, the look around to see all is in order.

Agreed - unless you have a mechanic who would do the same and maybe even better than you!

Originally Posted by BK911

74 and still wrenching UNDER the car?
Huge props pops!!

Agreed - huge props!

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Nice!

I decided to install a leveling kit on my ‘14 F150 last weekend. While I was in there, I replaced the upper and lower control arms, plus the sway bar bushings and links. All on my knees and back in the driveway.

At 60, it was much tougher than at 40 or 50. I was beat.

Respect and huge props......inspiring!

[Evans, Marv]

At 76, I converted my rear suspension to coil over a coupler of months ago - actually one of the easier things I've done on the car. It was enjoyable, but wrenching isn't as enjoyable as it once was. Getting in there is a always a good way to keep eyes on potential problems.

[ckelly78z]

At 54, nothing will make you feel old like weilding a 20" stihl chainsaw all day, and loading up 3 truck loads of firewood. The next day (or two) are recovery days, but with a smug satisfaction that I can still do it after my sketchy health history (cancer 3x, heart failure, new pacemaker, shattered pelvis/ribs 7 years ago).

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by John Rogers

My 2007 Chevy HHR that is used mainly to go to the range since the large range box and long muzzle loaders fit in just fine needed an oil and filter change. I decided to do the transmission filter and the gasket also since we have a 3 mile long dirt road off hwy. 94 to the sight. While laying there last Thursday waiting for the fluids to all drain out I looked around as I usually do and noted the left side engine mount was starting to crack through the molded rubber.

Ordered a new one from an online company Thursday night and got it Saturday about noon. There were 4 bolts to undo and the new one went in w/o a hassle. I looked at the others and they are fine so I guess I dodged a problem?! Now my joints and back ache but what the hell at 74 my wife says I should let the dealer do it, yea right!

you're a better man that I.
I'm 58 and don't plan see the underside of a vehicle again.

And it's good to hear from you, hope everything is well.

[GH85Carrera]

I still do the majority of the work on my own cars. I would starve to death as a professional mechanic, or have to charge 4 times the book rate. I am super slow at every task. Not because I move slow, but I inspect the vehicle "while I am in there" at every opportunity.

My El Camino has 365,000 miles and the 911 has 170,000 miles. I plan to drive the 911 to Key West this summer.

I did my annual brake fluid flush on the 911 last Saturday. Just looking closely at everything I noticed on the pins on one brake pad was not seated fully. A few seconds with a hammer and a punch, and tap tap tap, fully seated. Since I did the last brake pad change I know I had driven the pins all the way in. I have never seen the pin back out before. I don't know if it could physically back out far enough to do damage, but I don't want to find out. Only by looking carefully did I ever notice that.

[sammyg2]

LOL my car has 9400 miles on it and I'm taking it to the dealer for it's (free)10k oil change next week
I have not opened the hood since the day I bought it.
I used to work on cars all the time but it became a chore that I no longer need to do or care to do.
Maybe if I run out of other chores to do I'll reconsider, but not much chance of that happening.

EDIT: I did replace the battery in the wife's car a couple months ago, but that's one of them things a man just HAS to do by himself.

[GH85Carrera]

I fully understand many folks prefer to drive new vehicles and have the dealership or a professional do any maintenance. I get it.

Part of my hobby is keeping my old cars running and working. I have a garage full of tools and equipment that I have collected over a lifetime. I actually enjoy tinkering on them. Yea, replacing the plastic fuel lines in the 911 was a real pain in the butt. It is done and the new lines will outlast me.

I recently spent time out in my garage doing even more upgrades to the AC system on my 911. I added in the Griffith's Technology variable speed AC fan switch and bigger AC evaporator fan. The switch is a long way from just changing the switch. Lots of parts and wiring to change. The fan motor upgrade is easier, but still lots of work. It took me a couple of weekends. None of it was "required" but just neat upgrades and part of my hobby.

[Tobra]

I wish it were going to be that easy to do the motor mounts on my Miata.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Tobra

I wish it were going to be that easy to do the motor mounts on my Miata.

Yea, my buddy has a Miata. He brought it over so we could put it on my scissor lift to look at changing the starter. It took us 30 minutes to even find the starter, and after an hour of removing stuff, we could not yet put a hand on it. He said screw it, and we put it back together and he took it to a pro for them to replace the starter.