Looking for tips and tricks from older weekend mechanics.

[scary driving]

Hello Everyone:

So last weekend I was finishing the sc, and an enemy creeped up on me: Age. This is very spooky, as I'm sure some of you might relate. Aside from the physical exhaustion, my HANDS tend to get very tired. My brother complains about his neck. Don't get me wrong, I exercise at least 3 times a week, but it seems that the particular contortions used in working on cars, seem to catch my body off guard. I guess I might be on the "younger" side of this forum, and look to get some seldom talked about experience, like, how do you guys prep? What do you do afterwards? Do you cut your shop time?

Hope to get some of you talking!

[Knockdown]

Good creeper, roll around mechanics stool, boat cushions for support when in extended contortions, chocolate before and during, Advil afterwards.

[scary driving]

Chocolate? Care to elaborate on the benefits?

[OK-944]

A good dark chocolate...with around 70% cocao content...has some great antioxidant properties (equal to some good red vino) - and some well documented anti-depressive benefits. I'd argue the same for a good single malt/IPA/bourbon.

Also, a good creeper as mentioned above - with a low-rise (I love my "EZ Car Lift") which is, IMHO, likely less stressful on neck muscles/nerves than a regular rise which requires tilting your head upwards. I find the time on my creeper to be so relaxing that I've come very close to falling asleep under my 944. Great place to get away from life's daily stresses!

[Joe Bob]

Get a helper/gofer/tool handler/bottle washer......

[scary driving]

Yeah, one of THESE would be great:


All kidding aside, the getting in and out of the creeper from under the car is not an issue, fortunately. It's the shoulders, elbows and thumbs that take a beating. It seems to take forever for them to get back to normal (going on a whole week).

[emac]

I'm 67 and installed a muffler and the next day a MSD--Still trying to stand straight
Keep the tips coming
Ernie

[afterburn 549]

Some sort of lift is VERY helpful.
Even 3 feet!

[gsxrken]

Good post. I've learned to make it as easy as possible from a physical standpoint by doing even more work. Meaning, I'll pull the steering wheel or seat out before I even try to get under the dash. Pull the rear bumper for anything turbo related. Pulled my gas tank so I could sit in the space it had occupied to do a rewire. that sort of thing.
I still use some blue foam pads that Turbokraft packed my intercooler with. I kneel on them or have them under my hip and head while I work... all the time. And my son as a helper/tool hander when I can get him.
PS- I'll be 51 soon.

[afterburn 549]

Foam board insulation on the concrete floor is another option.

[86 911 Targa]

Love your wife, like your car..................

[McLaren-TAG]

you could avoid a lot of the aches and pains and just write a check. of course that's a different type of pain.

[Sboxin]

2 hours shop time every other day . . .
Yes, creeper too . . . power tools . . . extensions . . . knee pads . . .
Hot shower . . .
Tylenol PM x 2 at bed time . . . ( Holy Sh$t - where's the Tylenol !!)
Strong son does all the heavy lifting - its his car . . .

Regards,

[Wetwork]

I don't even step near a vehicle needing work without a couple of extendible magnet-on-a-stick thingies. A really long skinny one, a pocket one and one with a wide circle base. It is the very first set of thing's I grab now because I just friggin' know.

-WW

[yelcab1]

You want a 2 or 4 post lift. Impact wrenches. Racheting wrenches. You stand to work on the vehicle, not lying down. You let the impact wrench to the work, not your muscle. And you save time.

[brasch]

two post lift, it makes all the difference to my old 45 year old bones! After 5 cars I wish I would have spent the $2000 for the lift years ago.

[superninety]

Wish I had space for that lift...

I will say, I stretch every evening, legs, hamstrings, back etc. If I don't, I'll "throw out" my back. Staying well hydrated helps me prevent injury too.

I noticed every time I strain my back, I had not been stretching regularly, and wasn't well hydrated.

[dwelle]

yoga...

[timmy2]

1. Mid rise lift or higher, a rolling stool and moving blankets to lie on when you need to.
I hate getting on and off creepers on garage floors.

2. Take the time to really plan your work and tools needed before crawling under, leaning over, or contorting to reach. Makes all the difference to be prepared.

[Bill Douglas]

I do the job, then spend quite a bit of time thinking about how great I am accomplishing such an achievement. Then I'm so pleased I go inside and drink quite a lot of alcohol to further celebrate the achievement....