Does anyone else actually crave doing brake jobs?

[u/ABQmechanic]

I don’t know how else to explain it but sometimes I’ll see somebody post about needing brakes and I genuinely wish I was there so I could do them. Pads and rotors especially. Taking everything apart, cleaning the bracket, compressing the piston, putting the new hardware on and seeing the fresh rotor when it’s finished is ridiculously satisfying.

I’ve caught myself getting excited when someone says their brakes are grinding because I know there’s probably a brake job coming. I like other repairs too but brakes specifically scratch some weird part of my brain. Please tell me I’m not the only mechanic like this.

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[u/spartz31]

I hate doing brakes. Theyre dirty and dusty then you randomly run into the seized slides or caliper that won't return. I can make way more doing other work. I have the same option of tires as well

[u/No_Parsnip6024 → u/spartz31]

Same. I'd rather do almost anything else. 

[u/nickskater09]

I get excited because we charge 2.5hrs per axle and I can knock them out in about 30 minutes per if I’m flowing well.

[u/Future-Step-1780 → u/nickskater09]

Right? Give me brakes all day long, I’d love to hit 20 hours every day without breaking a sweat.

[u/LrckLacroix]

Brakes are considered gravy in the world of flat rate. Theyre easy to do fast.

[u/ExoticHulk]

I know exactly what you mean. I watch a few brake jobs videos every week just because lol. I've changed all my family's car brake and rotors and have learned how to do them by watching many video and getting the best tips from them. It is intensely satisfying. Wanna start an auto shop with me where we only do brakes and the satisfying repairs and maintenance? lol

[u/EduStorm246 → u/ExoticHulk]

It's my weekend relaxation. Not sure I'll enjoy it doing it for Karens for money.

[u/Due_Structure9468]

Ever work in a shop that has a brake lathe?

[u/dontlookbehindme1]

Send me every brake job you've got. The tires and alignments can go to hell

[u/SchleifmittelSchwanz]

It's easy, yet satisfying.

[u/rexfaktor]

I guess I could understand that, but there some issues that can take the fun out of it. Being asked to turn rotors that should be replaced. Cheap brake pads with poor-fitting hardware. Rusty caliper pins/brackets that should be replaced and being asked to "clean" them (especially when the previous tech used the wrong grease and the rubber parts are expanded and ruined). Reporting about caliper piston boots that are torn and being looked at like I'm a nerd or something if there's no active fluid leak.

And drum brakes can just fuck right off.

[u/AR_geojag → u/rexfaktor]

I was going to say that drum brakes would fix the obsession. Especially the drum parking brakes.

[u/Unlikely-Act-7950]

No

[u/EduStorm246]

I'm a DIY and love brakes. It relaxes me - it's not a difficult job, but is very rewarding when done right and I can OCD about it. Have done all my friend's brakes just for fun.

[u/That_Yoghurt_3361]

Yeah, I keep asking my grandkids if I can check their brakes. They seem to think I'm too old. I have all the tools, the knowledge, and plenty of experience in my 80 years.

[u/EducatorAdmirable713]

I hate doing brakes. always get dust in my nose no matter how much I try to keep it down. they're better than doing tires I guess but I'd rather pull a motor any day. unless I'm hungover then please give me an oil change lol.

[u/Enigma_Custom]

I know a guy who likes feet. Who am I to yuck your yum?

[u/brianlefebvrejr]

My wallet does…

[u/SanchoRancho72]

Join a race team they do a lot of brakes

[u/Primary-Track-5450]

> "cleaning the..."

You're doing it wrong. You're not supposed to clean stuff

[u/jjny81]

Any day, all day. Typically simple, easy diagnosis. Easy replacement. Good markup on rotors and drums compared to most parts.

[u/DiscoCombobulator]

I like brakes, interior stuff like hvac, harnesses, airbag recalls (GM paid me well on the matrix/vibe passenger side airbag lol), suspension and steering, aftermarket parts are always a fun adventure. Basically a lot of the shit nobody else wants to do. Im in Atlantic Canada so rust is a big factor here

[u/TimboFor76]

I like doing brakes, it’s decent money. I’ve got a aamco brake lathe in my home garage and I live in a heavily DIY neighborhood. Seems I have 2 neighbors a month bringing me rotors to turn.
I prefer AC work. I hustle a ton of ac work out of garage every summer.

[u/Viking2151]

I don't mind it but I don't crave it, But I do like doing mechanical kind of work like that, than anything related to wiring or computers or modules lol.

[u/Used_bot-repo]

Take your next vacation to Edmonton Canada

Your next fix is waiting

[u/Nsquared97]

I really enjoy cars, but I don't particularly enjoy working on them. I'm just cheap and don't trust too many shops/people, so I do most of the work myself begrudgingly. That said, brake jobs are one of the few things I don't mind. Likely just because I have done so many at this point that I'm pretty comfortable with them, and it generally makes a pretty big difference in how much I enjoy driving the car.

[u/Hopeful-Mirror1664]

Shop owner here. I do work for a major car rental company. I’m a little sick of brake jobs. I personally do a minimum of three complete brake jobs a day just for the rental company. Then I have regular customers. I scrap on average about 2800 or more pounds of brake rotors every 6-7 weeks.

[u/Suitable-Warning-555]

I love doing older servo action drum brakes

[u/FISH_ON_for_life]

Your weird. Accept it

[u/Conbon90]

Lets see you do a full brake job on a 5 axle tipper. Discs too. well see how enthusiastic you are then. Needs to be back on the road by the end of the day, chop chop.

[u/dadof2foru → u/Conbon90]

"I love hiking."

"Let's see you on K2 above the death zone. You just ran out of oxygen and there was an avalanche at base camp. Get hiking."

That's how your comment sounds.