This 'getting old' thing is not for the meek

[Winger Ed.]

I'm almost 67, and always thought I was in pretty good shape for that.

The other day, I was changing the serpentine belt and repacking the front wheel bearing on my '06 F250.

The belt only took a couple hours of working off a step ladder being bent double, and/or laying
across the top of the engine reaching down through the about 1/8" gap between the engine & the razor sharp fan.

The two bolts holding the caliper bracket--- Whew!! They come in from the backside, and had some sort of goo
on them that required 3-4 strokes with a 8 pound hammer to make them turn for each 90 degrees.
And yeah, they're fine threaded and seemed like they were about four feet long.

Driver's side- not too bad since I could swing down.
Passenger's side: Hammering UP for about an hour on the breaker bar & socket while all hunched up in the wheel well was different.

Then, taking off the rotor & hub-- they're one piece, and must weight 50-60 pounds.

I remember when this was just another quick, 'no big deal', evening project. Not any more.
It about killed me..... I'm sore in places I didn't even know I had.

I was going to wimp out and take a couple of aspirin,
but it's more fun to hobble around, moan & groan, and complain all day.

[lightman]

I have extreme fatigue with my MS and jobs that once took minutes now take hours. But I'm only working for me so I guess it don't matter.

[pworley1]

I remember 67. I feel your pain.

[ShooterAZ]

I'm right behind ya. On the bright side, at least you can remember where all your tools are... I cleaned out all the gutters on the house yesterday, and i am still kinda feeling it today. Climbing up and down ladders for 3-1/2 hours when you're in your mid-60's isn't what it used to be!

[country gent]

With the mobility issues from MS I have to really watch what I do, I can stand with support but if I get down it takes 3 men to get me up. I try to set things up where I can work sitting in the track chair. Things do take me longer now but I can usually get them done

Working on vehicles is out for me though.

One trick I use is a hydraulic die cart for lifting and moving things. A small light floor jack with a piece of plywood mounted on it would save a lot of lifting on rotors and other low mounted parts. When possible use leverage and mechanical over muscle.

I still do what I did before just not the same way. sometimes I have to stop and think a little. I need a few more breaks but I do pretty good.

[Mal Paso]

I'm a couple years ahead of you. I bought the Milwaukee 1400 lb battery impact and a right angle ratchet. It cuts down the cramping at the end of the day. Doesn't help the up and down though.

[armoredman]

This is what I have to look forward to in 10 years? Better stock up on Advil now...

[beemer]

And if you fall look around to see if there is anything you can do while you are already there.

[Winger Ed.]

I'm a couple years ahead of you. I bought the Milwaukee 1400 lb battery impact

I forgot to put in the original post--

I've got an old school commercial, 1/2" drive CP impact, I run with a big compressor at 150 psi cut off pressure.
As soon as the compressor charged & shut off--- the CP still wouldn't turn them.

That's why I had to go to my short handled, 8 pound, 'speed wrench'.

[GhostHawk]

I quit trying to do those jobs, that is what money is for. Just turned 69 and your right, getting old is not for lightweights.

If only the alternative did not suck so bad.

I have no real complaints though. Caught the biggest fish I've ever caught in my life this summer on light spinning tackle.
And when I got it to shore even with a rapala lip lock I could not lift it clear of the water. And I know I can still lift 40 lb buckets of cat liter. I'm blaming it on poor position. Still a channel cat that size is a nice feather in the cap.

[granville_it]

I turned 72yrs.

I leant my lesson, I don't fool around with automobiles motors and climbing ladders anymore.

I pay them.

Mark

[Gator 45/70]

Yep, Doc told me 2 days ago I'm a diabetic? I'm like I don't feel any different than 5 years ago.
But I have decided to shed a few lbs. and try to eat better and less of it.

[sparky45]

I'll be 76 next month and I have noticed physical challenges seem to be harder to complete. Simple things like attaching a plow or disk to the tractor are cumbersome and since I have "old man" skin I'm always bleeding from somewhere. I hope to finish painting the house tomorrow and I truly hate ladders.

[Three44s]

All these climate scientists need to study gravity. I believe it is getting stronger.

Three44s

[fixit]

I'm "only" 60, but I understand. I'm approaching that point where if it doesn't hurt, it doesn't work!

[Mal Paso]

I forgot to put in the original post--

I've got an old school commercial, 1/2" drive CP impact, I run with a big compressor at 150 psi cut off pressure.
As soon as the compressor charged & shut off--- the CP still wouldn't turn them.

That's why I had to go to my short handled, 8 pound, 'speed wrench'.

That's what the 1,400 ftlbs is for. The battery driven Milwaukee has more power than any air driven impact I've ever used. Watch out for left handed lugs, you could easily snap them off.

I got Old Man Skin too. Auto repair now requires a blood sacrifice.

[Winger Ed.]

All these climate scientists need to study gravity. I believe it is getting stronger.

You may be onto something.
I know for sure all this global warming is making my clothes shrink.

[Forty Rod Ray]

Ooooh to be 67 again…why I could climb a tree backwards!!!!

Don’t fret, when your time rolls around , you will be ready…

Ad libitum….

Ray

[Winger Ed.]

I'll be 76 next month and I have noticed physical challenges seem to be harder to complete.

Yeah,,,, I'd always thought I could put all that off awhile longer.
Big surprise!


My neighbor is 76, and he got a quote for swapping out his leaking water heater.
He's got the new one, but the more he thought about it, the less he wanted to swap them.
He figured he could buy a new .45 for what a Plumber wanted.

So what we all used to be able to dead lift off & put the new one up onto a raised platform--
he was in his garage this afternoon building a ramp to slide them on.
Making the swap is our project for tomorrow.

[Traffer]

I have had ME/CFS for the past 35 years. Quit golfing '97. Could't hit a full bucket of balls in 2005. NOW? Had to quit working on my car. (I did all the maintenance on it since I bought it in 1999.) Can't even change oil now.
I haven't even been to the range since 2017. My life now is computer and bed....(trying to get my little lathe set up next to my desk.)
I'm 69.
30 years ago doctors said I wouldn't see 60.