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Right shoulder locking up after heavy diesel component installs | Diesel Mechanics - Free To Speak

Right shoulder locking up after heavy diesel component installs

I've been a diesel mechanic for over fifteen years, and my right shoulder is really starting to bother me. It mostly happens after jobs where I'm installing big parts like turbos or exhaust manifolds overhead. I try to take breaks and use a lift when I can, but sometimes you just have to muscle things into place. The pain gets so sharp that I have trouble sleeping on that side. Has anyone else run into this? What kind of stretches or warm-ups do you do before tackling heavy overhead work? I'm worried if I don't figure something out, I might have to cut back on jobs, and I really don't want that. Any tips from old-timers who kept their shoulders in good shape would be awesome.

4 comments

4 Comments

max2236mo ago

Honestly, all this talk about stretches is overrated. I've seen guys do all the warm-ups and still end up with busted shoulders because the job itself is just too hard on the body. Sometimes you just have to accept that this kind of work comes with pain, and no amount of stretching will change that. If the pain is that bad, maybe you do need to cut back on those heavy jobs instead of trying to push through it. It's not worth wrecking your shoulder for good.

ruby3226mo ago

That point about it not being worth wrecking your shoulder for good... I totally get that. I've known too many people who did all the right stretches but still ended up in pain because the work is just too much. Sometimes we push through thinking it'll get better, but it just makes things worse over time. Cutting back on heavy jobs might feel like giving up, but it's smarter than living with constant pain. Your body has limits, and ignoring them only leads to bigger problems down the road. It's tough to admit when we need to slow down, but you're right that it's better than permanent damage.

emeryj666mo ago

Heard a trainer talk about doing shoulder "prehab" before heavy work, like light bands to wake up the muscles. Might be worth looking into before the big jobs. Have you tried anything like that?

holly_garcia5mo ago

Yeah I started doing band pull aparts before loading mulch bags and it's a game changer. Takes two minutes and my shoulders feel way less cranky after.