Doing more work on my cars now then before

[look 171]

For a long time, 30 years, I haven't done much work on my cars but the simple filter changes, cleaning of MAF sensors or a set of plugs. Before that, it was a must due to lack of money so roll up sleeves and learn. Now that time is more flexible and that my kid is old enough, I am actually doing lots more. Few years back, we did all the suspension on my kid's 4 runner and rubber hoses and parts. My next thing is to change out control arms and tie rods on my Cayman S. It has 100k on it. I hate removing ball joints. They never seem to come apart even with one of those ball joint removal tools that you crank out with a socket. BAll joint on my wife's van kicked my ass so my fear of the Cayman's not coming apart haunts me. After that, I am going after my wiring harness on my 993 turbo. Its just old and its been sitting so they are brittle but it only has 21,000 miles on it. I keep saying my days under the car is over but...

I know for sure, crawling into attics or under the someone's house is over for sure. Sending my men in now.

[LWJ]

I did the ball joints on my 02 F250. They a plenty big. I had a shop press them out and in. I don't have a press and it was't expensive. I drove it this morning. It drives like new with 270K on it. Do it.

[J-Mac]

The word than is used for comparisons to show who or what something is compared against. For example,“cats are smarter than dogs.” The word then is used to show time, as in “at that time” or “after that happened.” For example,“I exercised then took a shower.”

Apologies but if we’re going to use the English language then we should use it correctly.

[KFC911]

Speel checkerz R us

Meh...

[A930Rocket]

I’m 66 and find it harder and harder to work on cars now. Especially, when I I have to get up and down eleventy thousand times. I replaced the front suspension on my 2014 F150 a couple years ago, during a hot summer weekend, in the driveway and it kicked my ass.

I did our daughter’s 2010 Tahoe, but I had her and my SIL, bring tools to me. Made a big difference.

I’ve ordered all new front suspension parts for Ms Rockets 2015 Tahoe and she’s going to help me bring tools, but that might be an exercise in frustration.

On all three trucks, I replaced the control arms with the ball joints already installed. I figure after so many years, the bushings need replacing as well. Plus tie rods and sway bar end links. On my truck, but I also did the wheel hubs.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I still love working on my own cars, I know it's done right using the best parts. And for some things I don't even need a YT Univ refresher. Replaced the left rear caliper on my 328i the other day, did it in less time that it would have taken just to drive to a shop. It was literally a 20 minute job.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I can’t imagine taking my cars to a mechanic. I’m just too damn picky. Plus I mostly enjoy doing the work, and the satisfaction of a job done right.

I will say that particularly as I get older, having a lift is a game changer. Way less time crawling around on a hard concrete floor.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by J-Mac

The word than is used for comparisons to show who or what something is compared against. For example,“cats are smarter than dogs.” The word then is used to show time, as in “at that time” or “after that happened.” For example,“I exercised then took a shower.”

Apologies but if we’re going to use the English language then we should use it correctly.

The word “than” should have been in quotes.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I’m 66 and find it harder and harder to work on cars now. Especially, when I I have to get up and down eleventy thousand times. I replaced the front suspension on my 2014 F150 a couple years ago, during a hot summer weekend, in the driveway and it kicked my ass.

My age and disposition as well. I have a 4 post and a quickjack but things still hurt.
I have a real issue getting large wheels and tires off and on. Oddly, my f250 is easy b/c it has studs, I can lever them up, but he Cayenne and the Benz use bolts and its darn near impossible. I need to buy some threaded rod with the right thread and pitch and make temporary locating studs.

[wdfifteen]

I guess I’ll be doing oil changes on the Tundra now. I don’t have an indy mechanic here and the local dealer wants $185 for an LOF. A local tire store will rotate the tires on it for $25. The Tundra is too big for my lift and I’m not breaking my back over $25. The Volt will fit on the lift, so I’ll be doing tire rotations on it. It never needs anything else.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by greglepore

My age and disposition as well. I have a 4 post and a quickjack but things still hurt.
I have a real issue getting large wheels and tires off and on. Oddly, my f250 is easy b/c it has studs, I can lever them up, but he Cayenne and the Benz use bolts and its darn near impossible. I need to buy some threaded rod with the right thread and pitch and make temporary locating studs.

You need a pilot pin Greg. I got one of these and changing wheels each season has become significantly easier. There are also little foot operated lever arm jacks to push up wheels to the hub. I may get one of those someday for the huge 21s. But the pin makes all the difference now.

Lisle 13930 14mm Pilot Pin, Factory

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Pelican is killing Amazon links these days. Search for Lisle 13930 14mm Pilot Pin, Factory

[Scott Douglas]

I've done most of the work on our cars for a lot of years but my heart surgery has curtailed that stuff now. I may still change the oil and filter but I'm not supposed to change a tire any more. I need to get the brakes looked at on both cars but am real hesitant about taking them to a mechanic.
FEAR = False Expectations Appear Real
Normally I'd enlist the help of my son but he's too busy working/raising his own family now to help. He earns so much money he tells me to 'Take them to the dealer'. Yeah, that's not happening.

[Cdnone1]

I'm just starting to ease into my retirement with the easy jobs

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Pelican is killing Amazon links these days. Search for Lisle 13930 14mm Pilot Pin, Factory

Thanks. That's the ticket.

[RANDY P]

Good excuse to by impact tools . Then, it's cool and fun to work on car.

rjp

[oldE]

Originally Posted by greglepore

My age and disposition as well. I have a 4 post and a quickjack but things still hurt.
I have a real issue getting large wheels and tires off and on. Oddly, my f250 is easy b/c it has studs, I can lever them up, but he Cayenne and the Benz use bolts and its darn near impossible. I need to buy some threaded rod with the right thread and pitch and make temporary locating studs.

Greg, there should be one of those with your jack in the trunk.

[NY65912]

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

I’m 66 and find it harder and harder to work on cars now. Especially, when I I have to get up and down eleventy thousand times. I replaced the front suspension on my 2014 F150 a couple years ago, during a hot summer weekend, in the driveway and it kicked my ass.

Thanks for saving me the time for writing my experience this summer with the suspension work I performed this past August on my 20
10 Q5. Kicked my butt.

[p911dad]

I've been working on the 997 quite a bit lately, seems like some stuff has come due, like full brakes, changed the 6 speed transmission lube with Mobil 1 PTX (yikes that stuff is pricy!), did the failed oil pressure sender and some other little nagging stuff. Oil and filter (easy on this car, not like the 993) I've been taking advantage of the warm weather here.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by greglepore

My age and disposition as well. I have a 4 post and a quickjack but things still hurt.
I have a real issue getting large wheels and tires off and on. Oddly, my f250 is easy b/c it has studs, I can lever them up, but he Cayenne and the Benz use bolts and its darn near impossible. I need to buy some threaded rod with the right thread and pitch and make temporary locating studs.

I find cars with studs harder. Years ago I cut the head off of a bolt to make a pilot for my cars with wheel bolts. I never got around to making a pilot for the one with studs, where the protruding studs make it so hard to get the wheel to hang from just one. If only just ONE was a bit longer.