I'm going out today to replace rear shocks, coils, and a couple of smaller brake repairs ... on a rusty car that's been sitting for a while. It's not a crap shoot exactly but it is tough to predict. I'm going to allow the afternoon.

re your "Funny how jobs that look difficult aren't really, and how back-breaking and heart-breaking four #$## bolts can be." I think this is the expectation issue: If I allow adequate time for a job I'm usually pleasantly surprised; when I'm in a hurry and think "a couple of hours" it's miserable.

Last week I went to change the u-joint at the top of the steering rack. 4-bolts, pull the loosened rack forward, tap the u-joint free. Except one of the nuts snapped in the rack (ZF), the replacement joint was bad, the tie rod ends wouldn't come loose, .... hours.

Old cars/ trucks/ tractors are easier to work on unless rust has set in. And then it's often a long process.
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240s: 2 drivers and some parts cars