Is my age holding me back?

[2ndGearRubber]

When I entered the biz I was at a tire shop.

They had techs there who basically did brakes and front end, hourly. They just needed to do alignments and basic stuff, anything major they shipped elsewhere.

These older guys, without the stress of production expectations, also passed on knowledge to the new kids who wanted it. This might be a decent avenue for OP.

 

[cannuck]

. I mentioned that I am 67 years old and now feeling great and wanting to get back working on cars, doing front end work, ball joints, brakes, struts, ext.

Ken: I forgot to mention in earlier post: Maybe give some thought to other jobs that need mechanical skills but can be a lot easier on the body than bottom side of cars. A few years back the shop manager at my "day job" client needed a new guy in his industrial/utility electric breaker overhaul shop. I had told him for years that these are really mechanical devices so why the heck did he use electricians to do mechanical work. He sent me out to find a body, so I went to a friend who's hips and knees were getting shakey from decades of car work. He has done it for years now, and thanks me every few weeks for talking him into coming over. No more work injuries and now a critical part of a critical process and being paid far better for far less stress and strain.

 

[65ranchero]

This is like my story retired from auto dealership mechanic in 2002 ( body broken down ) went to the same brand corporate office ( driving a desk) from 2002 to real retirement in 2013 at 61 yo.
2 years into retirement after we settled in our current house got bored and wanted a part time job, applied to local NAPA store to be a driver.
Set up interview and when the owner read my resume he found out that I was auto tech and and had good customer service skills offered me a job to sit at the counter for 5.5 days a week and offer repair advise over the counter and phone.
If you can guess what my answer was I'll tell you.

I declined the offer and feel good about it!

Besides moving tool boxes to a shop is a PITA and I don't want to do it again.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I...can't....wait...to...retire....

After the last staffing action where a friend of a friend 2 years in was given the last remaining promotion available in our group, I figured I have given enough after 15 years, eff em. 10 to go.

It's a ***** training in your "senior team lead". No rhyme or reason as to who gets promoted at my job. The right gonads and drinking buddies seem to count for a lot more than having done the job. I just want to say goodbye and go stare at the ocean all day.

 

[M635_Guy]

Hell, I'm only 54 and my back is what's keeping me back.

I think a small indy shop with an extra bay might be your best shot, though I do know a used car lot that has a mechanic who is a retired guy that does brakes/suspension/oil/basic stuff they acquire to get them ready for sale. Or a small shop you set up to do work for people in your community or something like that - would require an LLC, insurance and would have to make sure your community doesn't have rules against it, but would allow you to pick and choose what you wanted to do.

But I would say there are a ton of things I'd do besides be a wrench. It's hard, the opportunity for BS is high and the money isn't amazing if you're affordable enough to pull business from the chains. The courtesy driver at the dealership or Uber would both appeal to me more (but that, of course, is me).

 

[pbon]

My advice for the OP would not be to look for full time mechanic work but auto parts or deliveries or maybe side jobs if he has a home shop.

 

[HFlashman]

Federal age discrimination starts 40, not 60 or 65. Proving age discrimination is very difficult under Federal law unless there is a smoking gun: incriminating memo, email, disgruntled HR or management employee willing to testify. Some states have laws more beneficial to employees but none can offer less than the Federal minimums. In "at will" states, an employee can be fired for anything other than the Federally listed protections such as 40 and above, race, ***, etc. (about 9 protected classes). So, as an older male I have observed and experienced much age discrimination that was mostly directed against men but in many cases against women as well. In today's job market, if you are willing to work hard (be persistent in the job search, maybe do some grunt work, being on time, no drug use, etc.) it goes a long way in consideration you may be a little slower.

 

[cannuck]

The advice I usually give to someone looking to enter or change careers is to look for the places where paying you is not the highest part of the cost or doing what you do is so critical to the overall business that it doesn't matter WHAT you are being paid. I have in the past been in pretty much every part of the car business and can tell you there are few places where that applies.

 

[dnschmidt]

The advice I usually give to someone looking to enter or change careers is to look for the places where paying you is not the highest part of the cost or doing what you do is so critical to the overall business that it doesn't matter WHAT you are being paid. I have in the past been in pretty much every part of the car business and can tell you there are few places where that applies.

Absolutely RIGHT! I worked for STMicroelectronics here in Phoenix and every year our factory, PF-1, produced a billion dollars worth of product. All of us engineers were VERY well paid. Why, because a good engineer's six figure salary is nothing compared to the cost of mistakes which would cause a line shut down.

 

[belvedere]

I tried the small engine deal and repaired 85%. However people do not want to pay for repairs. I was charging $25 and hour. People bitched about the price so I sent them to a dealer who charges $95 an hour.

Small engine repair came to mind when I first read your post. I believe you priced your work too low. If you price your work at 25-30% of your competition, people will think it's no good. If you price it 70-75% of the competition, they will think they're getting a great deal.

 

[dnschmidt]

My view on price is LET 'EM *****. There is no profit in working for bust outs. If they can't afford you **** 'em that's their problem. You're retired which gives you a great deal of independence. If they go somewhere else so what. You don't want cheap customers. That's why my view has always been that if you're going to work as a mechanic work on BMW's Mercedes and Porsche (see Car Ninja on YouTube) and price you're work at 20% below the dealer. You can't bleed blood out of as stone. Work for people that can afford to pay you.

 

[leadfoot415]

If you still can wrench, pretty much anywhere will hire you. How enjoyable it will become is a big question mark? I'm closing in on 40 and 20 years in the business doing ford dealer "front end" /light repair/used car work and personally couldn't imagine wanting to hump it at that age.

I'd be asking around about a "shop foreman/test drive guy" to verify strange complaints, know what subsystem on a vehicle is at fault and get the ro dispatched to the right guy, etc...maybe lend a hand with tough diag or pointers and shop wrangling of the lube kids. Trying to crank out flat-rate hours doesn't seem right.

 

[rancherbill]

Go for it! There is a shop somewhere that is looking for you. The physical stuff will either work or it won't. I know seniors that work at Walmart as night Stockers. There's a senior at Costco doing tires along with women. Those are tough jobs, but, both companies have gotten rid of ageism in their hiring. I am sure you get weeks or a month to get back in shape. BTW, the Walmart guy quit after 5 months because you put tons and tons of product on the shelf in a shift. He said he last longer than most.

 

[dnschmidt]

I think we need to know from the OP how much he needs the money as that changes everything. Breaking your *** to fill up time seems stupid to me as that's what golf is for. If you're broke that's another story entirely.

 

[Rod N]

Are you a licensed mechanic? Sounds like you just work on your own cars.
It takes me a few hours to do my brakes because everything has to be cleaned.
Not going to happen working in a shop.
I know a couple of guys that deliver parts and enjoy it.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Are you a licensed mechanic? Sounds like you just work on your own cars.
It takes me a few hours to do my brakes because everything has to be cleaned.
Not going to happen working in a shop.
I know a couple of guys that deliver parts and enjoy it.

Depends on area, but I do not believe in the vast majority of US states you need a license.

In PA you need a license to do state inspections or emissions, but to fix cars in general you need nothing.

 

[Sumboodie]

Oh kiss off with that. There's enough work to go around.

No.. it's true.

Was talking to a customer a few days ago, he's lost 4 people in the last year running a store room (parts and supplies for very large oil drilling company) Quit or went elsewhere.
And this was a upper $20/hr job with 50-70hrs OT a week, so 6 figure a year. (2 or 3 weeks on and same off)

He mentioned many applications he's gotten have "30, 40 years experience" and he's passed on them as someone that's 50, 60+ yrs old is likely to be a liability.

In my job, I'm one of the older guys and I'm around 40.
I guess I look young for my age though, hardly anyone believes me when I say how old I am.
Had an interviewer try and call B/S on "20 years" experience.. "yeah, sure... you start at 10 years old?!"

 

[dchawk81]

No.. it's true.

Was talking to a customer a few days ago, he's lost 4 people in the last year running a store room (parts and supplies for very large oil drilling company) Quit or went elsewhere.
And this was a upper $20/hr job with 50-70hrs OT a week, so 6 figure a year. (2 or 3 weeks on and same off)

He mentioned many applications he's gotten have "30, 40 years experience" and he's passed on them as someone that's 50, 60+ yrs old is likely to be a liability.

In my job, I'm one of the older guys and I'm around 40.
I guess I look young for my age though, hardly anyone believes me when I say how old I am.
Had an interviewer try and call B/S on "20 years" experience.. "yeah, sure... you start at 10 years old?!"

He's got high turnover and rejects older applicants for a store room job.

Not a case of inadequate work.

 

[Sumboodie]

He's got high turnover and rejects older applicants for a store room job.

Not a case of inadequate work.

They all left in the last few months. One quit no notice, the other is going to a better paying similar job. Not sure on the other 2.

 

[dchawk81]

They all left in the last few months. One quit no notice, the other is going to a better paying similar job. Not sure on the other 2.

Still doesn't mean there's insufficient work. It means the owner/manager is dumb.

It's not even a mechanic position, so management is doing something wrong.

 

[Sumboodie]

Still doesn't mean there's insufficient work. It means the owner/manager is dumb.

Not really.

I mean I'd likely not choose someone that's 60 to do my job.

I realize though that age doesn't necessarily mean they are half broken and arthritic. I've worked well into their 70s that put my work speed to shame.

 

[dchawk81]

Not really.

I mean I'd likely not choose someone that's 60 to do my job.

I realize though that age doesn't necessarily mean they are half broken and arthritic. I've worked well into their 70s that put my work speed to shame.

Look at what he's saying. He won't hire old people yet he has high turnover.

It's a different concept than lack of work to go around.

People tend to quit management moreso than the job itself.

 

[cherrybomb]

First and most important, congrats you are a winner vs. cancer.With your skills and experience you just have to find the right opportunity. Maybe look out side of just automotive. I've read these great responses,my thoughts, rental,the boss would have you doing something responsible,your good with customers,setting up new inbound machines,jumping in pick up deliver or service call,a lot less physical,hourly pay.The same thing say at a John Deere dealer,help put a shipment together,go on a call with a tech as a helper,a valuable handyman when guys go on vacations. My 06.

 

[rust in the eye]

What you haven't stated are your credentials. Growing up with points carburetors and swapping some clutches isn't an impressive resume.
If you have some skills and wish to work why not run a small shop at home where you can work at your own pace and control who your customers and jobs are?
Lots of old car guys don't know how to repair themselves and find themselves at the mercy of todays crop of "technicians" that often screw them up or wind up charging a fortune in labor time while they learn.
I am of similar vintage as you. A friend that owned a nearby shop would always prevail upon me when carburetor work was needed. His usual younger "techs" view these things as some sort of voo doo magic as they won't connect with any of their devices and so many little fiddly bits scare the **** out of them.
If you are skilled with these ancient devices you should be able to find enough business among the old car crowd to keep your mind and hands busy.

 

[username2]

Why hire a guy who's at full SS retirement age?

Because they have their own health insurance? Because it's likely they are less flaky?

I can understand the less-work-per-hour problem (or maybe less hours-per-day). I think part time might be a good deal for everyone.

 

[Sumboodie]

Look at what he's saying. He won't hire old people yet he has high turnover.

It's a different concept than lack of work to go around.

People tend to quit management moreso than the job itself.

No high turnover, just several people quit or left, all for unrelated reasons.

 

[arrowhead]

This is an excellent opportunity to work in your home shop. The house is close by for lunch. You get to pick and choose your work. You get to build a shop if you don’t have it. I started working out of my hobby shop 15 years ago, quit my corporate job and started a welding contracting company. Finding work isn’t tough.

How old were you when you made the switch?

 

[bonneyman]

What you haven't stated are your credentials. Growing up with points carburetors and swapping some clutches isn't an impressive resume.
If you have some skills and wish to work why not run a small shop at home where you can work at your own pace and control who your customers and jobs are?
Lots of old car guys don't know how to repair themselves and find themselves at the mercy of todays crop of "technicians" that often screw them up or wind up charging a fortune in labor time while they learn.
I am of similar vintage as you. A friend that owned a nearby shop would always prevail upon me when carburetor work was needed. His usual younger "techs" view these things as some sort of voo doo magic as they won't connect with any of their devices and so many little fiddly bits scare the **** out of them.
If you are skilled with these ancient devices you should be able to find enough business among the old car crowd to keep your mind and hands busy.

Agreed. Tried applying at a bicycle repair shop, and sent in B4 and after photos of bikes I had salvaged and restored. They kindly told me my work was impressive but not what they were looking for. (This was before I found out new bicycles have wi-fi battery powered shifters and deraillers).
And new A/C's are mostly electronic. So 7 years on I'm almost obsolete - unless I find a niche.

 

[Walkers]

How old were you when you made the switch?

I was 40 at the time. I have been at it 15 years now. I am trying to mix things up once again, not sure exactly what I am going to end up doing in the next few years but I need some change.

 

[Kenskip1]

Why out of the work force for so long, that is probably the deal-breaker
I would not want to jeopardize any disability income you may have by going back to work
I can promise you that one day of balljoint /alignment/ brake work will have you exhausted and wishing you hadn't started this journey
Think long and hard on. This ......
Enjoy your new lease on life and do anything but work for someone else , especially automotive repair

Sir. On my 2007 F150 I just replace the right lower ball joint in my garage on the floor last month. I have the Astro press. And the entire job took me less than two hours. Last week on the same vehicle I replaced both front hubs along with new brake pads. On my wife's Windstar I just replace both stabilizer links in about an hour. This was accomplished as mentioned on my garage floor.
Why out of work so long> From 2005 to 2015 I was working on a cattle ranch part time in Texas. I them move to Missouri and was having prostate problems. I was then diagnosed with prostate cancer. Living with cancer is not an easy task. I waited until the cancer reached 5.7 in 2022 on the PSA tests and my Gleason score went to 4=3=7. Surgery was then implemented and I had the prostate removed. My last PSA score was 0.01 I enjoy working with tools and do not mind getting my hands dirty.
Thank you for your inquiry, Ken

 

[CGarage]

Congrats on winning.

Look for a high end restoration shop that will appreciate your skills and knowledge.

No such thing as too old!

Experience counts!!!

 

[ybnormal]

Sir. On my 2007 F150 I just replace the right lower ball joint in my garage on the floor last month. I have the Astro press. And the entire job took me less than two hours. Last week on the same vehicle I replaced both front hubs along with new brake pads. On my wife's Windstar I just replace both stabilizer links in about an hour. This was accomplished as mentioned on my garage floor.
Why out of work so long> From 2005 to 2015 I was working on a cattle ranch part time in Texas. I them move to Missouri and was having prostate problems. I was then diagnosed with prostate cancer. Living with cancer is not an easy task. I waited until the cancer reached 5.7 in 2022 on the PSA tests and my Gleason score went to 4=3=7. Surgery was then implemented and I had the prostate removed. My last PSA score was 0.01 I enjoy working with tools and do not mind getting my hands dirty.
Thank you for your inquiry, Ken

that's great but as an employer/hirer I have no idea wtf those prostate numbers mean nor do I care. All I care about is whether you can work and (maybe) if you're cancer free. also, to me, personally, your gung-ho military response makes me cringe, and I served in the military!
working on a cattle ranch? what did you do? milk cows, drive a truck, bang the owners wife? or did you weld gates, punch dogies, and install fenceline? are you Cowboy Ramsey?

yes, you've got the work ethic, but what you seem to lack is specific experience. experience that no one else has, especially the young guys.
get that entry level job of driving parts or courtesy van. introduce yourself to the head mechanic after awhile, and let it be known casually of what you can do, that you haven't seen their current techs doing. or of what the customers are complaining about during their courtesy rides. if he's receptive, great. if not, you got your answer.

you want to specialize in older carb'd stuff? I know a Firestone in a nicer neighborhood, a neighborhood that has some REALLY NICE OLDER STUFF. that manager has the pick of job applicants, which are mostly kids in their 20s and 30s. meanwhile, the manager tech riding herd is in his 60s. see where I'm heading with this?

 

[pinebeetle1]

Where I work at a cabinet shop my dept. Got a 69 yr old to train as a molder operator, non cnc manual setup. As his lead and trainer for said 5 head molder I'm delighted. He can do setup and teardowns without me standing over him. Lots of young just out of school guys do fine with the cnc stuff but when you have to think in 3 dimensions, adjust for variations in cutters, be attentive to details, set up toolheads, I'd rather have someone who has been around a bit. (Keeping the last couple of just out of h s ones working, off their cells, making sure they didn't ruin equipment, product was to spec. And left with all fingers still attached was way too much hassle.) Done right is more important than fast for us. (As slightly off track rant why don't more high schools still have shop classes to teach a few manual skills...) Maybe the op could try something not auto related but needing mechanical aptitude, if that would be of interest ?

 

[CGarage]

Don’t let the naysayers keep you down.

You have a lot to offer.

Know your worth and don’t sell yourself short.

I’d rather hire an experienced old timer than a newcomer any day of the week.

 

[CGarage]

I will probably be accused of being ageist, but I had to post this, in light of this thread.

This should make all but the millennials laugh and crack a smile:

 

[Kenskip1]

that's great but as an employer/hirer I have no idea wtf those prostate numbers mean nor do I care. All I care about is whether you can work and (maybe) if you're cancer free. also, to me, personally, your gung-ho military response makes me cringe, and I served in the military!
working on a cattle ranch? what did you do? milk cows, drive a truck, bang the owners wife? or did you weld gates, punch dogies, and install fenceline? are you Cowboy Ramsey?

yes, you've got the work ethic, but what you seem to lack is specific experience. experience that no one else has, especially the young guys.
get that entry level job of driving parts or courtesy van. introduce yourself to the head mechanic after awhile, and let it be known casually of what you can do, that you haven't seen their current techs doing. or of what the customers are complaining about during their courtesy rides. if he's receptive, great. if not, you got your answer.

you want to specialize in older carb'd stuff? I know a Firestone in a nicer neighborhood, a neighborhood that has some REALLY NICE OLDER STUFF. that manager has the pick of job applicants, which are mostly kids in their 20s and 30s. meanwhile, the manager tech riding herd is in his 60s. see where I'm heading with this?

First off sir, My boss was a semi retired Three Star Army General. He still went to Washington DC every month for a week. Enough said on that topic. My duties were to feed the bulls. Every morning rain or shine. Cube the cows and make sure nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Feed the horses and the cat. Spray mesquite during the fall months. Mend fences, mow the lawns, cut and stack firewood, Also tag the calves, spray the cows with insect repellant, and I had many round ups. All these items and during planting season planting oats. However I was not a rancher but a mechanic. I repaired many farm implements. He hired me because I am honest trustworthy and polite and I could walk and chew gum at the same time. Ken

 

[CGarage]

First off sir, My boss was a semi retired Three Star Army General. He still went to Washington DC every month for a week. Enough said on that topic. My duties were to feed the bulls. Every morning rain or shine. Cube the cows and make sure nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Feed the horses and the cat. Spray mesquite during the fall months. Mend fences, mow the lawns, cut and stack firewood, Also tag the calves, spray the cows with insect repellant, and I had many round ups. All these items and during planting season planting oats. However I was not a rancher but a mechanic. I repaired many farm implements. He hired me because I am honest trustworthy and polite and I could walk and chew gum at the same time. Ken

Someone great to get a letter of recommendation from.
Those count, too.

 

[ybnormal]

First off sir, My boss was a semi retired Three Star Army General. He still went to Washington DC every month for a week. Enough said on that topic. My duties were to feed the bulls. Every morning rain or shine. Cube the cows and make sure nothing out of the ordinary was going on. Feed the horses and the cat. Spray mesquite during the fall months. Mend fences, mow the lawns, cut and stack firewood, Also tag the calves, spray the cows with insect repellant, and I had many round ups. All these items and during planting season planting oats. However I was not a rancher but a mechanic. I repaired many farm implements. He hired me because I am honest trustworthy and polite and I could walk and chew gum at the same time. Ken

your boss has nothing to do with it except as CGarage pointed out, a letter of recommendation. my father retired as a Colonel from the USAF, my brother is a LtCol in the USAF, my nephew of other brother is a LT in the Coast Guard (his older brother already has a Doctorate at 32 in the Environmental Sciences), my uncle retired as a 2-star Army general. my brother-in-law became an E-9 in the Army at 18yrs (he hit promotion everytime he was first eligible, spent his last 6 yrs at the Pentagon). rank/name dropping has nothing to do with my qualifications. me? I was an E-4 Machinist Mate on submarines in the Navy. I know some machinery.

when I take/review applications, I want to know your qualifications, what stuff/field you've worked on, what equipment you know how to handle, what your training/background is in, what projects you've done on your own that would not normally be in your field of expertise, etc. how did you repair farm implements? weld, replace parts, plasma cutter? out in the field with a mobile unit or in a fully equipped shop? did you ever have to MacGuyver anything? did you have to fix the plasma cutter or welder when it broke? how did you fix it? hobbies that relate to the position you are applying for? if so, tell me about it so I can see how well you think in getting the job done.

I'm not trying to drag you down or anything, but as a hiring manager, these are the things that I will be looking at. some people are shortsighted and only see what is in front of them, I want to know things that help me make a better decision.

There's been a ton of advice given on this thread, it's up to you to accept or reject.

 

[yellowbox]

Sir. On my 2007 F150 I just replace the right lower ball joint in my garage on the floor last month. I have the Astro press. And the entire job took me less than two hours. Last week on the same vehicle I replaced both front hubs along with new brake pads. On my wife's Windstar I just replace both stabilizer links in about an hour. This was accomplished as mentioned on my garage floor.
Why out of work so long> From 2005 to 2015 I was working on a cattle ranch part time in Texas. I them move to Missouri and was having prostate problems. I was then diagnosed with prostate cancer. Living with cancer is not an easy task. I waited until the cancer reached 5.7 in 2022 on the PSA tests and my Gleason score went to 4=3=7. Surgery was then implemented and I had the prostate removed. My last PSA score was 0.01 I enjoy working with tools and do not mind getting my hands dirty.
Thank you for your inquiry, Ken

The work you described would take you till , say lunchtime on a Monday, you still have 4.5 work days to go
At 67 years old I promise at the end of the week you will want to quit

 

[CGarage]

Rough crowd…..