Doing the brakes when you're old...
- Thread starter shooter357
- Start date
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- 2014 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD w/Tech
Chuckling at all the above comments as I'm in somewhat the same boat - I turn 70 next month. Last month, with great effort as usual, I swapped out my Blizzak DM-V2 snow tires for my summer Michelin Sport Pilot 4 A/S tires. I always wash and wax the tires/wheels that I take off before I store them in the rack I made in my garage so that they are nice a clean when I reinstall them. Lots of moving them around and those things seem to get heavier every year! 
Anyway, as I was changing the right rear tire, I noticed that the mount for the rear shock had a crack in it which I did not like to see. Recalling on here that only the Mazda OEM shocks come with new mounts, I immediately ordered a new pair from Mazda Parts Direct. Today I had my local trusted mechanic install them. He's got a lift, lots of tools to fight 135K miles/11 years of Minnesota winters' corrosion and he's younger! Based on the standard labor time, he quoted me $210 to which I said "fine". When I got a call later to say the job was finished he said it was an extremely hard job that took him 2-1/2 times longer than expected. But, he said, "I quoted you a price and we'll stick to it, but man that was a b****!" So for me today, this was definitely money well spent! Oh, and by the way, he'll be doing my next brake job this fall when it's needed. 
Anyway, as I was changing the right rear tire, I noticed that the mount for the rear shock had a crack in it which I did not like to see. Recalling on here that only the Mazda OEM shocks come with new mounts, I immediately ordered a new pair from Mazda Parts Direct. Today I had my local trusted mechanic install them. He's got a lift, lots of tools to fight 135K miles/11 years of Minnesota winters' corrosion and he's younger! Based on the standard labor time, he quoted me $210 to which I said "fine". When I got a call later to say the job was finished he said it was an extremely hard job that took him 2-1/2 times longer than expected. But, he said, "I quoted you a price and we'll stick to it, but man that was a b****!" So for me today, this was definitely money well spent! Oh, and by the way, he'll be doing my next brake job this fall when it's needed. Don't worry, now put on the winter tires, and all the pain will be reversed. LOL.
I am in the same boat, so know what it means to get on your knees and up again.
RZRider
2018 CX-5 GX, 2013 3 Sport, 2011 Tribute GT
Ah the Capri, had a Yellow 72 with the Cologne 2600, 4 speed, that was then but now 52 years later and 73 year old have a CX-5 and 3 Sport. Did the four winter tires on both plus full oil and fluids last week in the driveway. Took three days to recover and ten minutes to get back up from the oil service, but it was fun even with the rotator cuff and knees.I was afraid this’s going to be another thread of not putting the rear brakes into the Maintenance Mode for the brake job, not. But I hear you about the old age. And I’m gradually giving up some tougher jobs where I used to DIY without any hesitation such as the recent LCA replacement on my 2016 CX-5. And yes I’d done the same before when I was much younger, removed the automatic transmission from a 1972 Ford Capri, rebuilt it, and put it back, in my driveway.
Don't worry, now put on the winter tires, and all the pain will be reversed. LOL.
I am in the same boat, so know what it means to get on your knees and up again.
Ha! 6 months later... I blew snow, today.
Put the snows on a week ago. Took me all day, with lots of breaks. I was able to work the next day!
I'm not anywhere near you guys in age (only 63) , but I don't enjoy working on vehicles anymore. As some of you have mentioned, getting up off the concrete isn't much fun. Having just bought this CX5, I paid good money for lifetime oil changes. I'm just not going to do that
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