Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[baconsdozen]

I'm older than any of the cars I own and although both they and I continue to age I seem to be the one that's feeling and showing the effects more!.
I noticed bending down or kneeling for long periods just isn't fun any more and I spent a little while making a padded wood box to sit on. Only a simple thing but its made a big difference to working on the brakes of a jacked up car for instance.I also invested in some padded thermal overalls as laying on cold concrete isn't a good idea at the best of times.
Anyone else any ideas to make geriatric car repairs any easier?
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Riley Blue]

When you've dropped something on the garage floor, don't immediately pick it up. Wait until you've dropped two or three more things - it saves the back, knees etc.

[kevin2306]

Ive bought a seat on wheels which is superb! never been one for kneeling down on the floor and where ive had no option but to kneel, ive always used a foam pad..comes from my construction background and seeing so many old trades with knackered knees.
I always dress warm for the garage including a hat..keeps one toasty!.
Last year I bought a set of ramps that elevate upto quite a high level, that helps with working height and access. i have 2 large, dense (15kn) but lightweight concrete trench blocks that i use in conjunction with the ramps should i need to remove a wheel.

Kev

[baconsdozen]

[peppiB]

I am at the stage where there is very little I can do unaided. I do have a friend who comes and helps me, following my instructions but somehow it just isn't the same. It is getting to the point where serious consideration is being given to parting with at least 1 of the oldies

[baconsdozen]

Sorry to hear that,I understand that it isn't the same but your friend is gaining from your experience. Some people never do work on their own vehicles because they don't have the skill or knowledge,I find I can still do all I want to,but it takes longer.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Ellis]

I find that I take almost twice as much time to do something "involved" now than, say, ten years ago.
I broke the lower tibia in my right leg three years ago and squatting for more than a few minutes becomes painful and you know you're getting old when you appreciate a cushion to kneel on.

But, do you know, having to wear spectacles to look at anything detailed, or rather to see clearly causes more delay than any infirmity or old injury.
They fall off, become dirty or condensation forms on them and of course you stand on them because you couldn't see them under your feet in the first place.

I prefer to forget how many pairs I've lost or broken in the last five years.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[Phil - Nottingham]

Suffer all them and more like I cannot bend over into the engine for more than a minute since back surgery 25 years ago.

I thought it was just me
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[Keith D]

It's almost comforting to find so many other forum members that are in the same boat as me!

If I squat down, I have the hell's own job to stand up again, despite loosing over 12kg in weight! Wearing glasses, as Phil suggested, is a real pain. I often knock them off and they always fall inside the engine bay and get covered in oil or dirt!

I use an old plastic covered settee cushion when working on brakes. The only problem I have then is getting up when I've finished! A serious accident 13 years ago means that I cannot kneel down for more than a minute or so at a time.

As far as crawling under the car goes, I find it very hard. For a number of years I have covered my workshop floor (which is the hardest, coldest concrete known to mankind!) with old cardboard boxes. I flatten the big ones that fridges or mowers come in, and this helps a lot. (Provided you first pull out the nasty staples that hold them together!)

I often wonder sadly just how much longer it will be practical for me to keep the old ladies, despite still enjoying using them.

Keith

[petermeachem]

Ha, me too. Bunch of old crocks aren't we. Kneeling on the floor grinding paint and rust off the wings was murder. There was no way I could attach them to a bench or workmate to make it easier.
Glasses are a right pain. I was all ready to paint the body, put the mask on and then found it came so far up my nose I couldn't wear glasses. Hence a few runs, or at least that is my excuse. I need to find a way round that.
I can do it all, it's just that I run out of puff and everything takes longer. Good exercise though

[47p2]

Sorry to buck the trend here but I still manage to do my reairs without any problems. That said I decided last March that I needed to loose a bit of weight and exercise more often so I went on a diet, lost 26lbs and started cycling again after a 25 year break. In September I completed my first Century cycling 111.8 miles with over 9300 feet of elevation gain and since the 1st January I hav cycled 300 miles, all in an effort to keep supple
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ROVER
One of Britain's Fine Cars

[baconsdozen]

For working under the car I use two old cheap tarps (those made in China blue woven jobbies) laid one on top of the other you can slide about under the car pulling yourself along with your arms.
Glasses are a nuisance,mine spend more time on top of my head than on my nose.I find one of those lamps you wear on your forehead a great help much better than a torch and handy for close up work.
I have a damaged spine,the best advice I was ever given was never lay down in the bath. It's true,it might help at the time but gives you hell the following day.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Ellis]

How best can we describe ourselves?

The Last Of The Summer Wine of the old car world or curmudgeonly old f**ts like Uncle Mort (I didn't know you cared)
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[Rick]

[baconsdozen]