At what age did you stop or plan to stop wrenching?

[KTPhil]

I started working on cars because although my folks bought us all our first car (used VW Bugs), we were responsible for insurance, gas, and maintenance. So of necessity, we did our own work.

Then I found out chicks thought being a mechanic was cool, and I was hooked!

I also discovered that most shops screwed up more than they fixed. That meant taking the car back one or more times and having an argument, wondering if they were sabotaging it in retaliation. So I figured it was less hassle (not just cheaper) to buy the tools and do it myself, rather than take it in. That's kinda still true!

I won't stop until I can't do it anymore. Probably drop down to just tune-ups in a couple of years. I'll probably never stop that; after all, one must "come to kindly terms with your ass for it bears you" and that will keep me in touch with how it is really doing. God willing, that will be a very long time, well into my 70s, I hope!

[markswagen]

[Tram]

Hmmmm. Interesting topic.
My plan is to stop heavy duty wrenching for others when I turn 70 (5 years). I have a pile of project cars that I'll either part out/ sell as is if I get a solid offer or will redo one on a yearly/ semi yearly basis and sell it when I get tired of it.

I'll still keep a hand in the field, though. I am a partner in an overseas classic German car shop and advise remotely on video calls. I also consult/ research originality and source parts for their builds. I won't get rich but it will be a nice supplemental income. I'll keep my hands active doing piece work- MFI pumps Diesel pumps, interior veneering work, refurbishing steering columns, etc.

Another thing I used to do often until the auto biz just got way too busy was restoring antique wind- up gramophones and phonographs, including replating of metal parts. It would be fun to start that back up. Not a lot of people left around doing it and I have original repair publications from the 1890s through the 1930s that I got at an estate sale in Ohio in the early 70s.

Health- wise, I feel pretty fortunate. I had a bad decade in the Teens- two back operations, removal of 18 kidney stones, two TURP prostate operations, and a "quickie" ablation procedure for out of control AFIB that turned into a six hour surgical ordeal.

But so far the 20s have been good. I have a few aches and pains but it seems like a new lease on life. I have meds for BP but that's it. I plan to enjoy it while I have it.
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Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.

[jinx758]

When I can no longer get under a car, I guess.

I'm 56, 5'-11&a half, &145lbs.
I was born with a malformed L hip socket, my R foot was pronated at 45degrees, & the toes on my L foot were resting on the shin (severe club foot). My L ankle was broken @ 6mos & put in a short leg cast. I had corrective surgeries at 6&7yrs.
Completely active with LL baseball, skateboarding, surfing, & Varsity Tennis in HS. Took me 1.5yrs to get approved for armed services. Was honorably-medical discharged since 1992. I've always had a limp but few notice it. Years of compensating has worn out my R knee & ankle.
I've never had a desk job but learned that a quality shoe or boot is worth the $$$.
In 2011 I broke my R hand at a job (#9 on a hand chart), 2mos in a cast with rehab. I have no endurance with repetitive twisting.

I can tell when the weather is gonna change for sure !

Many, many moons ago I started using kneepads. I use them all the time, everytime. Esp slogging through attics & crawl spaces doing HVAC & plumbing. I made a cushy pad from those pads cashiers stand on held together with HVAC spray glue. I use it under cars & the small one for flooring, tile, & etc.

My wife has spinal stenosis with 2surgeries so far. Eventually she will be fused from neck to butt. We keep a walker in both vehicles.

We all have our burdens & physical limitations.
Do what you can, when you can.
Recognize when your body says "HEY - that's enuff !"

I started changing spark plugs in 1987 out of necessity as I couldn't afford shop prices. Being able to give advice & help to others makes me feel warm & fuzzy inside. I've been wrong many times but thinking outside the box has worked more often than not.
I respect those that know more than me & if I don't know I will say so. Such as those that can weld or rebuild a transmission.

I feel fortunate that I'm active & mobile, many people struggle more than I do.
I admire them fully.

Everything in moderation... stay safe

jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference

You can't push a rope


VALVES (cold)
POINTS
TIMING
CARB (fully warmed engine)

SCRAPE ALL GROUNDS

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[Cusser]

I'm 71, still do 98% of the maintenance our six vehicles and two homes. And I do occasional work on my two daughters' vehicles.

However, 2 weeks ago after I diagnosed a bad rear universal joint (staked type) on my 1988 Mazda truck (233K miles), decided to let a shop handle it, they shipped the driveshaft out to a specialty driveshaft shop. Three new universal joints, new carrier bearing, and balance (because it was staked type) set me back $831. With shop rates here in Phoenix area at least $175 an hour, I'll continue to handle most myself.

On the schedule is to replace the manual transmission gear oil and differential oil on my 1998 Frontier. And if the electrical glitch returns on my 1988 Mazda truck AC, to troubleshoot that (I have parts yard stuff on hand for that if necessary).
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Abscate]

I switched out specializing in Proctology and Urology when I realized I would never escape work both going and coming.

I thought I had fine motor skills from Anatomy until I met people in optical physics keeping 1000 optical elements aligned - the next level
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.ssS!

[jspbtown]

Since my dx with terminal brain cancer 2 years ago I have been slowing down. After building several buggies and kit cars I have stopped all major projects. I went on to build several 70's vintage mini bikes which I essentially gave away for costs to several elderly gentleman who wanted them as wall hangars. I alos did a pedal car.

But those days are beyond me now. I still do the routine stuff like oil changes and brakes but I always have someone monitoring me because I easily forget if I did something like tighten a drain plug or put the oil in. As I do a task I tell that I have done it so when I start questioning myself later they can confirm that "Yes, you tightened the drain plug" for example.

The price they pay for cheap oil changes and brake jobs.

[Tram]

[Dusty1]

[Manfred58sc]

I'll turn 60 in a few months , I'm still in good health over all and really thinking about this topic. I'm NOT spending a fortune on tools to work on newer stuff and I'm not taking on any really heavy work. I had a 92 year old customer really challenge my thinking ( as The Dude said "new shit has come to light"). He retired at age 65 and did the fishing/beer drinking with buddies for 6 months and watched them all die off. That scared the hell out of him so he took his retirement cash and built a good shop to do ACVW restoration. He told me he has not taken a day off in 25 years, no vacations. He works 4-6 hours a day and is in great health with no plans to stop.

Go till you blow, when you blow "oh no!"

Glen Plake ( extreme skiing legend)
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Fat chick owner/operator

[jinx758]

Maybe not so much about wrenching but about stopping :

My Dad turns 84 in July. He worked as a computer programmer for 34yrs. They offered him early retirement in1993 without penalties when he was 59.
He said "Where do I sign" ? - ! ! !

He used to be fairly active ; basketball, softball, & property maintenance before building most of his retirement house from '95 to '98. Afterwards he kinda hit a wall, spending increasing time in a big comfy chair.
Now he's dependent on a walker & even showering is a task.

Just wanted to say don't stop moving whether it is a local Tour deFrance or a few laps in the living room.
WAY back in the day my Mamaw (his mother) started to get weak at age 85. She did water aerobics 2or3 times a week at the local Y. Darn it if she didn't have more energy that put a pep in her step (within reason). She made it to 92 before her stroke.

Nothing is for sure including tomorrow.

Move it or lose it ... stay well

jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference

You can't push a rope


VALVES (cold)
POINTS
TIMING
CARB (fully warmed engine)

SCRAPE ALL GROUNDS

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[Abscate]

I’ve learned to take the minutes to run through the job in my head and gather all the tools I need to stop the multiple car roll scenario.

My ladies all drive P80 Volvos so I’ve gotten pretty good with the brakes,struts, engine , and maintenance working on 5 cars with minor variations

I would love a lift but might go for the portable jack one if I can turn a few more tricks this weekend.
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.ssS!

[Dusty1]

[oprn]

Na, no matter how fun it is, if you have to do it all day every day it becomes just another job and the joy goes out of it. That has been my experience.

And no I was not in the sex trades!
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[61 BUS]

When they pull the wrench from my cold, dead hands. Activities like working on my old cars make me feel alive.
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61 Bus, 71 Bus, 76 Beetle, 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, 47 Plymouth Business Coupe, 58 BMW Isetta 300

[NJ John]

I turn 58 next and my car interest and excitement is the same as when I was a teenager. Physically I’m still going strong. And I’ll probably go till I blow.
My Father basically dropped dead from covid and was still building cars. He knew his 51 Chevy pickup was probably his last project. He was right and never got to enjoy it.
I sometimes think about getting a modern factory hot rod or sports car. But I would probably still keep my classics and be wrenching on them.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[Da TOW'D]

Well I'll be 79 this year . With all the usual aches and pains.
I've stopped working on commercial fishing boat mechanical problems but enjoy sorting out the wiring problems.

I built my shop in the '80s with the intention of installing a 2 post hoist one day well it took 15 years of crawling on the floor then I bought a 10,000 lbs. hoist and that brought back the enjoyment of working in the shop.

I've still have a few people that I'll do automotive work for but now I just enjoy spending a few hours on my own projects. I have a 1962 Notchback and a 70 Ghia Convertible to keep me interested.

I enjoyed getting a worn out car to take apart so I'll pass my worn out carcass for the new doctors in training when I'm done with it.

Hank
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'57 type 1 Blackberry
'58 SC Ruf
'62 type 3 Notch
'92 Eurovan Willy DD
and NUTS

[babysnakes]

[KTPhil]

[Dusty1]